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Ear pick
Ear picks, also called ear scoops, ear spoons, or auriscalpium, are a type of curette used to clean the ear canal of ear wax (cerumen). These are traditionally made from bamboo or precious metals such as silver or gold but now also from stainless steel or plastic. Additional recommended knowledge
TypesOther than the wide variety of materials used to make them, earpicks vary widely in their tips and embellishments. Disposable plastic ear picks with a cotton swab at one end are increasingly popular. Tips
Embellishments
CultureEar picks are a commonly used item and preferred for ear wax removal in East Asia. The person having their ears cleaned would lie down with their head in the lap of the person doing the cleaning. It is generally considered a pleasant feeling, like having one's back scratched. The cleaning of ears is thus considered an act of intimacy, often performed by a mother to a child or, among adults, by one's lover. It may also be performed alone or by professional (non-medical) ear cleaners on the streets of cities in countries such as China, India, Japan, Vietnam, and other Asian countries. (Note: The above text is disputed. Some residents of East Asia believe that ear cleaning is most commonly done by oneself using an ear pick, and not by asking someone else to do it.) HazardsThe practice of ear picking poses several serious health hazards to the human ear. The most obvious danger is that of accidentally puncturing the ear drum while ear picking. Apart from the danger of punctured ear drum, there is also the possibility of ear infection from the usage of unsterilized ear picks, especially when ear picks are shared among different individuals. Ear picks may also be ineffective and dangerous when used by one with little experience or guidance. Although some wax is seen when the pick is removed from the ear, the majority of the wax may have been pushed deeper into the ear due to the "ram-rod effect" of incorrect technique. This is also true of cotton swabs. See also |
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Ear_pick". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia. |