Are ear candles safe to use?

They don't work AT ALL. A wonderful hoax for gullible people inclined to believe pseudoscience.

Read the references, and you'll never consider this crap:

http://www.doctorhoffman.com/candling.htm

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_098.html

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/...

http://www.entlink.net/activities/committees/earca...

http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/health/ea...

My grandad was a Cree Indian, and when I was very young I suffered from lots of ear infections and wax in my ears. I remember being in terrible pain one night, and he gently blew into my ears using his pipe. I do believe the smoke helped to dislodge the build up of wax and I do know the pain decreased enough for me to fall off to sleep. I think this is the basis behind the western interest in ear candles lately

How do Hopi Ear Candles work?

The candles are made from the natural ingredients of beeswax, honey extracts, sage, St Johns Wort, chamomile, beta-carotene and organically grown flax. A constant high quality is ensured. The candles work on a chimney principle, drawing any impurities to the surface where they can be gently removed. They equalise the pressure in the head and ears, making them suitable for most conditions. Secretion flow is gently stimulated and the vapour collects and removes impurities or deposits. Most of these are carried away through the candle "chimney", although some of them can be found in the condensed candle wax residue after removal from the ear, or could even work their way up to the surface 24-48 hours after.

The purpose is to create a vacuum to suck out all the wax. If the vacuum is powerful enough, you can permanently damage your ear drum, and have hearing loss.

Ear candling is a secure technique if executed right. even however right ability many stuff, and it needs to be executed by using a real expert. a three 12 months old is merely too youthful for my area to start even however you ought to to envision with a holistic physician on your area to get his or her opinion. reliable luck! Momma Kat

Well my friends tried them, I watched and made sure they're hair didn't catch aflame. They worked great for them ( they had alot of wax!), but I was wary of the fire. So they work, just be careful

I'm really not sure if they're "dangerous"... I tried it once and liked it, but the worst I'd think they'd be is ineffective. If you like it though, do it. Good luck!

I don't think they are dangerous..As long as you have someone there to help you. We've tried them one time and it helped a little..I think we messed it up..If needed I'd try it again.

We like them, and they work for us. But any time there's fire you need to be observant.

I tried them, they were kind of scary. But it didn't help me.