title: Back to basics: finding an optimal cerumenolytic (earwax solvent).
abstract: An in vitro study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the commonly used aqueous and organic cerumenolytic (earwax solvent). Three agents were included in the study: olive oil, sodium bicarbonate and urea-hydrogen peroxide complex 5% in glycerol. Distilled water was used as a control. The disintegration of preformed wax plug was noted at specific intervals. The test tube containing distilled water as a control was found to be most effective and fastest in completely disintegrating the wax. This was closely followed by sodium bicarbonate. In contrast, the organic products, namely urea-hydrogen peroxide complex 5% in glycerol showed very little cerumenolytic effect. Olive oil, the most commonly used solution, was ineffective in disintegrating the wax plug even after 24 hours. The study shows aqueous cerumenolytics are more effective than organic agents.
authors.affiliation: Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan, Wales.
authors.forename: Urmil
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Chalishazar
authors.forename: Huw
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002571:Cerumen / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000494:pharmacology; D012997:Solvents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014508:Urea / Q000494:pharmacology; D014867:Water / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D014508:Urea; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide