Self help

We are keen to help patients improve on self help and hope that the following information will offer some insight into that.

Take a look and see if you can improve your own understanding of your health and wellbeing! Please encourage others to look here too.

Earwax build up self care

How you can treat earwax build up yourself?

Important – don’t use your fingers or any objects like cotton buds to remove earwax. This will push it in and make it worse. Earwax usually falls out on its own. If it doesn’t and blocks your ear, put 2 to 3 drops of olive or almond oil in your ear twice a day for a few days and then you can use once a week to maintain. Over 2 weeks lumps of earwax should fall out of your ear, especially at night when you’re lying down. There’s no evidence that ear candles or ear vacuums get rid of earwax.

See a nurse at your GP practice if:

• Your ear hasn’t cleared after 2 weeks
• Your ear is badly blocked and you can’t hear anything (you can get an infection if it isn’t cleared)
• You may also wish to consult with some high street providers such as Specsavers who offer ear irrigation services

Preventing earwax build-up

You can’t prevent earwax. It’s there to protect your ears from dirt and germs. But you can keep using ear drops to soften the wax. This will help it fall out on its own and should prevent blocked ears.

Below is a list of other ailments that can be safely self managed. You will see that you can take a look via the hyperlink at the other websites which can offer you further information about managing your condition.

Common ailments that can be self managed

In addition to the above the doctors here at Claremont Medical Centre have found that the information and exercise sheets below from Arthritis Research UK can be very helpful to patients:

• Back Pain Exercises (PDF)
• Knee Pain Exercises (PDF)
• Neck Pain Exercises (PDF)
• Sport and Exercise Injuries (PDF)