Читать книгу The Care and Keeping of You 1 - Valorie Schaefer - Страница 22

Ears

Ears are easy to care for. They need just a little help from you

to stay healthy inside and out—so every sound you hear will be

crystal clear.

Squeaky Clean

Your ears get washed every time you shampoo or shower.

In most cases, that’s all the cleaning they need. Shake your

head to remove excess water, and use a towel, washcloth,

or cotton swab to wipe off the outer part of your ears.

NEVER stick a pointy object into your ears—not even a

cotton swab. You could do serious damage to your ear-

drums or canals. Ear wax, that sticky yellowish stuff inside,

is something you’re supposed to have. Wax acts as a sort

of magnet, sticking to dirt and preventing it from traveling

into your ear canal. You can, however, have too much wax.

If your ears feel plugged, talk to your doctor to find out a

safe way to get the gobs out.

Pierced Ears

If you want to get your ears pierced, go to a professional

who uses clean, sterile equipment. Allow two to three

months for the holes to heal before you change earrings.

Clean your newly pierced ears daily with a cotton swab

dipped in rubbing alcohol. Redness, itching, or oozing near

the hole may be a sign of infection. If this happens, call

your doctor for advice.

Headphones

It’s OK to turn on the music and tune out the world, but

don’t turn up the volume! Over time, exposing your ears

to loud noise can damage your hearing. Take this test: If

someone stands next to you and can hear sound coming

out of your headphones, the volume is too loud.

Many girls are allergic to the metals

used in cheap earrings. To be safe,

look for surgical steel, sterling silver,

or 14-karat gold.