Why Does Cleaning My Ear Make Me Cough?

Why do you cough when you touch your ear? The human body is a fascinating puzzle of interconnected systems, causing unexpected reactions. I recall my surprise when I first heard about someone coughing from ear cleaning, making me curious: why does this happen?

Our body's reflexes are protective but can also be quirky, showing complexities we might not expect. Below, let's look into the science behind these reflexes, especially Arnold’s nerve ear-cough reflex, and how to care for your ears properly. Curious to learn more? Check out how to clean your ears safely.

What Is a Reflex?

A reflex is an automatic and quick movement in response to a stimulus. Reflexes are crucial for our protection, letting us respond without waiting for our brain to process everything. If you've touched something hot and pulled your hand away instantly, that's a reflex. These actions are built into our nervous system to help us react fast to danger. But reflexes aren't just for safety. They help with everyday functions like blinking, swallowing, and coughing. When a doctor taps your knee and your leg kicks out, that's the patellar reflex. So, reflexes are vital for both our survival and daily routines.

What Is the Cause of Arnold's Nerve Ear-Cough Reflex?

Arnold's nerve ear-cough reflex is a curious phenomenon that affects only a small portion of people. If you've ever felt the urge to cough while cleaning your ears, you might be among this unique group. The reflex is induced by the stimulation of a specific part of the body, known as Arnold’s nerve, which is a small branch of the vagus nerve. This nerve connects to the sensory areas of the ear canal. When the inner ear is stimulated, such as during cleaning or inserting an earbud, the vagus nerve gets activated, leading to a cough reflex.

What Is Arnold’s Nerve?

Arnold’s nerve is an offshoot of the vagus nerve, formally known as the auricular branch. This nerve is linked with the sensory neurons in the ear canal. When people with Arnold’s reflex experience ear canal stimulation, it triggers a response from the vagus nerve.

What Is the Vagus Nerve?

The vagus nerve is one of the body's most extensive nerves, overseeing crucial functions in vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. It is also involved in involuntary reflexes like coughing and swallowing. For individuals with Arnold’s reflex, the usual signals that differentiate throat irritation from touch sensations in the ear can become mixed up, causing them to cough when their ear canal is touched.

Precautions for Those With Arnold’s Reflex

Living with Arnold’s nerve ear-cough reflex often isn’t a big deal. Still, a few precautions can help you manage it safely. First, skip using cotton swabs or other objects in your ear canals. Imagine cleaning your ears and suddenly coughing—this could cause serious injuries, like a perforated eardrum. Instead, try safer options like ear drops or getting professional help for ear cleaning.

Chronic coughing is another issue to watch for. Slight ear stimulation can trigger a cough in some. If you notice more frequent coughing, talk to your doctor. Medications like gabapentin have helped some manage this reflex. By following these steps, you can reduce risks and keep your ears safe.

How To Properly Clean Your Ears

Cleaning your ears might seem straightforward, but it's crucial to approach it correctly to avoid complications. Never insert objects like cotton swabs into your ear canal. Doing this can push wax deeper and increase the risk of injury. Instead, consider safer methods such as over-the-counter ear cleaning solutions, which typically contain gentle chemicals like hydrogen peroxide to help dissolve earwax. To use one, lie on your side, place the recommended drops in your ear, and let it sit for a few minutes before draining.

Ear Cleaning Solution

One safe way to clean your ears is by using an ear cleaning solution. These often contain peroxide, which breaks down earwax through a bubbling action. Lie on your side, put in the drops as directed, massage the area gently, and wait for a few minutes. Afterward, drain your ear onto a towel and, if necessary, use a bulb syringe with warm water to flush out remaining wax.

Oil

Using oil, such as mineral or baby oil, is another gentle method. This softens the wax, making it easier for your ear to expel it naturally. Although it can take weeks, it's a safe and gentle approach. You can even pre-treat with oil before using other methods like ear cleaning solutions.

Oil also helps moisturize the ear canal, reducing irritation.

Irrigation

For more stubborn wax,ear irrigation might be the answer. This involves gently flushing out the ear with warm water using a syringe. It's important to use low pressure to avoid injury. While you can do this at home,consulting your doctor is a good idea if you're unsure or have concerns.

Rare Reflexes

Did you ever sneeze when stepping into bright sunlight? That's the photic sneeze reflex, known as "sun sneezing." It affects about one in three people. You might be leaving a dark room and suddenly need to sneeze when you hit the sun. This happens because bright light overstimulates the optic nerve, which affects the trigeminal nerve, making you sneeze. It’s often harmless but can be inconvenient, even risky when driving. If you're prone to it, wearing sunglasses can help when you’re going to face a sudden light change.

Wrap Up and Takeaway

Our reflexes play a big role in how we function every day. Think about coughing from ear cleaning or sneezing in bright light—knowing why these things happen helps us handle them better. If your ear-cough reflex is a part of your ear care, consider using ear drops or oils instead of sticking things in your ear to avoid problems.

The HearWell Group offers hearing aids that could make your daily life easier. It's worth a look if you want to improve your hearing while dealing with these reflexes. Understanding our body's reflexes and using safe practices keeps us ahead in caring for our health.