Cotton buds are a common household item and for good reson.They are so very versatile.For use of cleaning small areas of elctronics, to the baby's umbilical cord area, to applying makeup and decorating a cake! I am sure you know of many of its uses.

The area of use and probably the most common area of use has been the use for cleaning the ears.

Well, why do we feel the need to clean the ears? Well, most often, we get water in them from showering, swimming, shampooing and having our mate's tongue in the ears.

The ear canal is coated with cerumen (wax).

The skin on the outer part of the ear canal has special glands that produce ear wax, also known as cerumen. The purpose of this natural wax is to protect the ear from damage and infections. Normally, a small amount of wax accumulates and then dries up and falls out of the ear canal, carrying with it unwanted dust or sand particles.

Ear wax is helpful to coat the skin of the ear canal where it acts as a temporary water repellent. The absence of ear wax may result in dry, itchy ears, and even infection.

Cerumen varies in form and appearance from person to person. It may be almost liquid, firm and solid, or dry and flaky. The color of ear wax varies depending upon its composition. Glandular secretions, sloughed skin cells, normal bacteria present on the surface of the canal, and water may are present in ear wax.

When should ear wax be removed?

Under ideal circumstances, a person should never have to clean their ear canals. However, we all know that this isn't always the case and sometimes removal of ear wax is necessary. Excessive ear wax may build up in the ear canal for many reasons including:

• narrowing of the ear canal resulting from infections or diseases of the skin, bones, or connective tissue, over or underproduction of cerumen in the ear, aging and overuse of ear drops.
• The use of cotton buds can cause damage to the lining of the ear canal, leading to abraisions, irritations and sores which will then exude secretions into the ear canal. This may also promote infection of the lining of the external aer canal.
• Cotton buds may also push the ear wax against the ear canal and cause an impaction; resulting in loss of hearing, pain and a perforated ear drum.
• If a perforated (punctured) ear drum is suspected, caution must be exercised in administering eardrops. Please consult your doctor for an ear examination and advise.
• Warnings from cotton bud retailers Company Warning Time warning present

Asda 'Always take care not to push cotton buds into the inner ear or nose canals'.

Boots 'Cosmetic buds should not be inserted into the ear canal'

Johnson & Johnson 'Never insert a cotton bud into the inner ear or nose. Keep out of children's reach. Improper use can cause injury' .

Morrisons 'Do not place in ear canal or nose'

Safeway [Taken over by Morrisons] Sainsbury 'Cotton buds should not be inserted into the ear canal'

Superdrug 'Use to gently clean around the outer surface of the ear, do not probe into the ear canal itself'

Tesco 'Do not insert bud into the ear canal'

Waitrose 'Cotton buds should not be inserted into the ear canal' .