Throw away that cotton swab. For relief of severe ear-wax buildup, use a few drops of hydrogen peroxide instead.

Wax is protective to the ear and has antibiotic properties that keep the ear moist, said Dr. Ravi N. Samy, assistant professor of otolaryngology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Because of the increased risk of eardrum perforations or infection, no swabs should be used.

Hydrogen peroxide will loosen the wax so it comes out easily and can be wiped away, Samy said. If your ears itch on the inside, he recommends using baby or mineral oil administered with a medicine dropper.

But beware: If you have a hole in your eardrum or an infection, you should avoid putting anything in your ear.