Ear candling is fraught with hazards, and has no proven medical benefits.
This warning followed a Consumer Council study on the emerging practice of ear candling as an alternative therapy.
Briefly, a hollow candle is burned with the other end inserted into the ear canal, to purportedly create a negative air pressure (like a suction action) and in the process draw out the earwax.
Ear candles are generally made of linen or cotton soaked in wax or beeswax mixed with herbs or essential aromatic oils. They are designed with a filter inside to capture and prevent debris from falling into the ear. A pair of ear candles cost from some $10 to $80.
According to the claims of some promoters, ear candles are effective in reducing ear ache, itchiness of ears, headache, migraine, stress and nervous tension.
Further, some even claimed that they possess medical benefits to people suffering from Meniere's disease, tinnifus, sinusitis, hay fever, etc.
Experts, however, disagree and consider the practice of ear candling dangerous, posing a significant risk of fire because a lit candle in close proximity to the face can cause severe burns to the skin or hair. It also has no proven medical benefits.
Ear candling has been known to cause trauma or infection to the ear as evidenced by individual cases.
It is not suitable for people with perforation of eardrum or suffering from ear infection, small children or pregnant women.
The injuries caused by ear candling are well documented. In 1996, a report published in a U.S. medical journal concluded that "ear candles have no benefit in the management of cerumen (earwax) and may result in serious injury".
The same report cited these statistics from a survey of 122 ear specialists who identified 21 patients of serious injuries resulting from the practice of ear candling: 6 cases of temporary hearing loss; 13 cases of burns; 7 cases of wax (from the candle) blockage of the ear canal; and 1 case of punctured eardrum.
In addition, Health Canada has subsequently conducted laboratory tests that showed that ear candling produces no significant heating or suction in the ear canal. There is no scientific proof to support claims that ear candling provides medical benefits.
In the US, candles marketed with health claims are classified by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as medical devices, requiring marketing clearance from FDA before putting them for sale..
In Europe, manufacturers of ear candles can label their products, on a voluntary basis, with the "CE" marking if their products are in conformity with health and safety requirements set out by the European Union.
In Hong Kong, there is no official statistical record of the number of injury cases from ear candling, according to the Hong Kong Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, though its members have encountered such cases before.
The public is advised that most people do not need to take special care in managing earwax which in fact moves along the ear canal and eventually makes its way to the outside along with any accumulated dirt of other matter.
People with earwax problems are advised to consult physicians or other health professionals.
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