The Awareness Among Parents About Cotton Earbud (Q-tips) Use in Children in the Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and objective The waxy substance secreted in the ear canal of mammals, including humans, is known as ear wax; it is also known by the medical term cerumen. It protects against germs, fungi, and water, helps with cleansing and lubrication, hydrates, and protects the skin of the human ear canal. The purpose of using cotton earbuds (Q-tips) is to clean the ear auricle (external part), relieve itching, and remove any excess water among other things; however, many people have been mistakenly using them for cleaning deeper spots in the ear, leading to some serious complications.