Ear Discomfort After a Haircut? It Might Be a Hair in Your Ear Canal

Have you ever experienced unexplained ear discomfort or even a persistent cough after a haircut? You might be surprised to learn that a stray hair lodged in your ear canal could be the culprit. While it may seem unusual, encountering hair inside the ear canal is more common than you think. Let’s delve into why this happens and what you can do about it.

Case Study: Hair Inside Ear Canal Causing Discomfort

Recently, Dr Gan treated a patient, Mr A, who presented with right ear discomfort following a haircut. Notably, his discomfort intensified with jaw movement, especially while talking or eating. He also reported an irritating itch in his throat, triggering a persistent cough.

Upon examination, Dr. Gan discovered a strand of hair, along with some earwax, in his right ear canal. Using forceps under microscopic guidance, both the hair and earwax were carefully extracted (Figures 1 and 2) and Mr. A’s symptoms immediately resolved. 

While finding hair inside the ear canal is a common occurrence for Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Specialists in Singapore, most instances involve short hairs that don’t cause noticeable symptoms.

Figure 1 – A strand of cut hair inside the ear canal with one end touching the eardrum and some earwax

Figure 2 – Strand of hair and earwax removed with a pair of fine ear forceps

How Does Hair Enter the Ear Canal?

During a haircut, tiny strands of hair can easily enter the ear canal. Typically, these hairs are short and harmless. The ear canal’s natural self-cleaning mechanism, akin to a conveyor belt (Figure 3), effectively moves debris, including hair, earwax, and dead skin, away from the eardrum. This process is aided by jaw movements during eating or talking.

Figure 3 – The eardrum and lining of the ear canal is like a conveyor belt, moving dead skin, earwax, and debris away from the eardrum

However, longer hairs can irritate the ear canal skin or even touch the eardrum, leading to discomfort, itching, and even coughing. This is due to “referred” symptoms, as the nerves in the ear canal and throat share a common origin. In Mr. A’s case, the hair was long enough to irritate both his eardrum and ear canal skin.

Recognising Symptoms of Hair in the Ear Canal

When hair makes contact with the eardrum or becomes trapped in the ear canal, you may experience several distinctive symptoms:

• Ear discomfort or pain: This can range from mild irritation to sharp discomfort, especially with jaw movement.
• Ear pain after hair washing: Water can cause the hair to swell, increasing irritation and discomfort.
• Itching: The hair can irritate the skin of the ear canal, causing persistent itching.
• Coughing: Irritation of the ear canal can trigger a cough due to referred pain.
• Hearing loss: In cases of significant hair accumulation, hair can block the ear canal, leading to temporary hearing loss.

Preventing Hair in Ear Canal

While the ear’s self-cleaning mechanism is generally efficient, preventive measures can minimise discomfort. Consider these tips:

• Use earplugs: Consider wearing earplugs during haircuts to prevent hair from entering the ear canal.
• Tilt your head: Tilt your head to direct hair away from the ear during a haircut.
• Communicate with your barber: Let your barber know if you’re concerned about hair getting in your ears.

How to Remove Hair from Ear Canal

If you experience discomfort due to hair inside the ear canal, here’s how you can remove it from your eardrums safely at home:

• Gravity and gentle shaking: Tilt your head to the side and gently shake your ear. Gravity may help the hair fall out.
• Irrigation: Gently flush your ear with warm water using a bulb syringe. Avoid cotton swabs as they can push the hair deeper and potentially damage the eardrum.

Remember, while hair in your ear canal can be bothersome, it is often easily resolved. By taking precautions and knowing safe removal methods, you can minimise discomfort and keep your ears healthy.

If these methods fail or you experience persistent ear pain, consider consulting an ENT specialist in Singapore like Dr. Gan. They can safely perform ear canal hair removal, rule out any other ear-related issues, and provide comprehensive care, including allergic rhinitis management and sinusitis cure. Schedule an appointment with us and our skilled team will be ready to address all your ENT concerns.