Ear wax is normal. It keeps your ears clean and usually falls out on its own. Sometimes it builds up and makes your ear feel blocked. Oil drops can soften it so it comes out more easily.
How to use the drops
Lie on your side with the blocked ear facing up.
Put 2 to 3 drops of olive or almond oil into the ear.
Stay lying down for 5 to 10 minutes.
Do this 3 to 4 times a day for 3 to 5 days.
Don't use almond oil if you are allergic to almonds. The wax may come out in small pieces over about two weeks.
When not to use drops
Don't put drops in your ear if you have, or think you have, a hole in your eardrum (a perforated eardrum).
When to get help
If your ear still feels blocked after 5 days, or you can't hear at all from that ear, book an ear check. If wax is the problem, we can remove it with microsuction.
This guide follows NHS advice on ear wax build-up.
