That’s the cheekily-written announcement from the FDA this week, as it puts out the warning  -- once again – that ear candling is not only pointless, it’s also pretty darn hazardous.

If you’re not aware of ear candling, it’s a procedure offered at some alternative and natural health clinics that involves placing a hollow tube of fabric soaked in paraffin or beeswax candle into the ear. Then, while the recipient lies on his or her side, the “candle” is set aflame.

Proponents says the “candle” draws out excess ear wax buildup, thereby clearing sinus infections, hearing loss, headaches, colds, sore throats and more.

The problem is that selling or importing the devices is illegal in both Canada and the U.S.

Health Canada says ear candles have been promoted for therapeutic purposes, and as such, users require a licence from Health Canada. Since Health Canada has not issued any licences for ear candles, the sale and import of them are illegal.

“Some promoters try to get around Health Canada's Medical Devices Regulations by advertising that ear candles are ‘for entertainment purposes only.’ However, Health Canada maintains that these people are selling the product illegally, for medical purposes, as there is no other reasonable use for ear candles,” the agency says on its website.

Yet the use of the candles continues, prompting the FDA to step up its crackdown and to remind consumers how dangerous and ineffective candling is. Among the injuries it can cause are:

• burns to the face
• burns to the ear canal, eardrum and middle ear
• ears plugged by candle wax
• puncture of the eardrum.

As well, people who’ve used ear candling to “cure” their ear pain or headaches have also delayed seeking treatment for the real cause of their symptoms -- such as ear infections and temporomandibular joint disorders. (TMJ disorders often cause headache and painful sensations in the area of the ear, jaw, and face).

To top it off, ear candling has also caused a few fires.

Both Health Canada and the FDA say there is "no valid scientific evidence” that candling offers any benefits. They note that there is no way the candles can suck ear wax out of an ear (remember: ear wax is sticky; it would take so much force to suck it out, it would probably rupture your ear drum).

If you are concerned about ear wax, talk to your doctor. Sometimes they can use a device to remove some wax or a rubber bulb syringe filled with warm water to squirt it out. There are also products available in pharmacies that can soften the wax and allow it to drip out, but they should be used sparingly, since the drops can irritate the ear canal.

Keep in mind that earwax is a natural part of the body. It protects the ear canal by trapping dirt and slowing the growth of bacteria. It’s probably best in most cases just to leave it alone.