# So why do I cough when I clean my ears?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-do-i-cough-when-i-clean-my-ears/107886>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 8, 2002, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-do-i-cough-when-i-clean-my-ears/107886 "2002-05-08T12:21:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2002, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-do-i-cough-when-i-clean-my-ears/107886/1 "2002-05-08T12:21:20Z")

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Reading the other ear thread inspired me to ask this question…I’ve been wondering for a while.  
I use Q-tips to clean my ears sometimes–usually because my ears itch deep inside. A lot of times, when I swirl that little swab in there, I feel a little “pull” in my throat, and it makes me cough. Weird.  
I learned the hard way NOT to clean my ears when I’m in the midst of an upper respiratory infection–tried that a few months ago, and it induced an incredibly fierce coughing spasm that would NOT stop. I thought, truly, that I might choke to death right there in the bathroom with my little son patting me on the back and “coughing” in sympathy. ☹ (My husband, a paramedic, was mightily impressed by the petechiae all around my eyes.)  
So, what’s the deal? Does this happen to anyone else?

Thanks,  
karol

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**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2002, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-do-i-cough-when-i-clean-my-ears/107886/2 "2002-05-08T12:38:38Z")

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[The Master Speaks](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_323.html)

Yeah, I know. I hate it when people do that.