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DIY Cleaning Hacks After Holi? ENT Specialists Say You’re Doing More Harm Than Good
DIY Cleaning Hacks After Holi? ENT Specialists Say You’re Doing More Harm Than Good
After the colours fade and the music stops, the instinct to deep clean kicks in. You wash your hair twice, scrub away stubborn stains – and then comes the uncomfortable part: that blocked, itchy feeling in your ears or a stuffy nose from dust and smoke. For many, the solution seems simple: cotton buds, hairpins, oil drops, or quick internet remedies.
But what feels like relief could quietly be setting you up for infection, pain, and even hearing problems. According to Dr Amit Sharma, Director and Senior Consultant ENT at Narayana Hospital, Gurugram, this post-festival habit is far riskier than most realise. “After colourful celebrations like Holi, many people feel the urge to deep clean everything, including their ears. ENT specialists warn that this habit creates more harm than relief."
Similarly, Dr Shilpi Budhiraja, Senior Consultant – ENT at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, cautions that quick home fixes may look harmless but can backfire. She says, “These methods, like using cotton buds, pouring oil into the ears or trying home remedies found online, may seem safe. But ENT doctors strongly advise against them and for good reason."
The biggest myth? That earwax is dirt. “The ear canal remains extremely delicate and sensitive. It protects itself with earwax, which traps dirt and prevents infection," explains Dr Sharma. When you try to dig inside, the wax doesn’t come out. It gets pushed deeper.
This can lead to blockage, pain, and even temporary hearing reduction.
Dr Budhiraja reinforces the point: “Earwax is not dirt. Putting things in your ear doesn’t really get rid of the wax. You push it deeper into the ear canal instead." In severe cases, lodged debris near the eardrum may even require anaesthesia or sedation for removal, especially in children.
Cotton buds feel soft and safe, but they’re misleading. Dr Sharma notes, “Earbuds press debris deeper and may scratch the inner lining." These tiny scratches create entry points for bacteria and fungi, particularly after exposure to contaminated water, colour powders and sweat during festivals.
The result? Outer ear infections, also known as otitis externa, cause swelling, discharge and persistent discomfort. Add lifestyle habits like long earphone use, swimming or humid weather, and the risk multiplies.
Pouring oil, hydrogen peroxide, or herbal liquids is equally problematic. As Dr Budhiraja says, “These can make the irritation worse and raise the risk of infection."
It’s not just ears that suffer. Hard nose blowing to clear smoke or dust can irritate delicate tissues or even push mucus toward the ears and sinuses, increasing blockage and infection risk. Homemade saline solutions made with unclean water may worsen the problem. For throats irritated by festive indulgence and acid reflux, aggressive gargling or very hot liquids can further inflame sensitive linings. Gentle care, not force, is key.
The safest solutions are surprisingly simple. Dr Sharma recommends letting gravity work: tilt your head to drain water and wipe only the outer ear with a clean towel. Never insert anything inside.
If there’s a blockage, use only the prescribed wax-softening drops. Persistent symptoms such as pain, ringing, discharge, or hearing changes need professional evaluation. Dr Budhiraja sums it up best: “Your ears, nose and throat are very sensitive. After festivals, care should be gentle and based on what doctors say, not what you see on the internet."
After the festivities, restraint is the smartest hygiene move. The ear is designed to clean itself. Overhandling it often creates the very problems you’re trying to fix. When in doubt, step back and let your body do its job.
Source: News18
Related Posts: ear cleaning safety, DIY ear cleaning risks, cotton buds danger, ENT tips, festival hygiene, ear infections, post Holi care, lifestyle, health and fitness
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