I have used ear candles for years... always had good results. This last time, my daughter did one on me, as she has for over 8 years... and the wax from the candle dripped into my ear, giving me a SEVERE burn (despite her flooding it with cold water as soon as I was screaming). I had to go to the ENT doc and very sheepishly explain what had happened.

Actually, the doc was GREAT... asked me if I'd had any relief previously using them. I explained that I had... but obviously, it was also dangerous.

He had to take three trips ( or one trip to the Surgicenter - where I would have been put under) to remove the wax that had stuck to my ear canal and ear drum. It HURT - he had to use a device to grab the wax and then gently pulled.. bad part...the skin under the wax was burned and damaged. I ended up with an infection in the ear from the burn/removal too. It cleared up as soon as the burns healed and wax were all removed. I could NOT hear for two weeks while this was completely plugged. It was a terrible and EXPENSIVE experiment. (Three trips to the ENT for in-office surgery, one follow up visit and a Rx for Antibiotics )

He never berated me... he was so kind (and young... 36) and understanding.

What finally lifted the last piece of wax was after using oil drops in my ears for days.

Although I enjoyed having it done to me and have done numerous candlings on others -NO WAY would I ever perform one on another again. NO WAY would I ever have it done to me again.

If you decide to do it... read, as I did, but also realize that the bad side effects CAN happen to you!