That's Fit

You've probably got a jar full of cotton swabs sitting in your bathroom somewhere, but according to experts from the American Academy of Otolaryngolgy (otherwise known as People Who Know About This Sort of Thing), you should probably just let them sit there a little longer and quit sticking them in your ears.

Leave earwax alone, is the message the group is trying to spread. Earwax is perfectly normal and, in fact, serves to clean your ears of dust and debris. It even has an antibacterial quality to it. The minute you start to "clean" your ears, you risk impacting the wax. Healthy people, say the docs, should not clean their ears as a matter of course.

Of course, earwax can sometimes get stuck. Hearing aids, ear plugs, ear buds, and aging all put people at risk for impacted earwax. If you think your earwax needs attention, experts recommend using ear drops specifically for that purpose or seeing your doctor. The strongly advise against putting anything (including a cotton swab) in your ear, or performing a technique called ear candling. If drops fail, see your doctor.

And if you're wondering what to do with those leftover cotton swabs, check out eHow for ideas on using them around the house.