Cotton buds must have their uses

Editor - I am writing to ask for help with something that has been puzzling me for an entire attachment in ear, nose, and throat medicine. In our very first teaching session, we were told that nothing smaller than an elbow should be inserted into the ear canal. Over the weeks this has been repeated many times. I even heard an ENT consultant on the radio using the phrase so I feel safe in assuming that this is sound advice.

My dilemma stems from a common household object that is often made from plastic, with cotton moulded to each end and is certainly smaller than most elbows: the cotton bud.

Although I have been informed that I should not clean my ears out using cotton buds, I am finding it very difficult to resist the temptation. How can I expect patients to heed advice that I myself cannot adhere to? I find myself concluding that it would be so much simpler if cotton buds didnt exist at all. If the ENT specialty has disowned this external auditory meatus sized tool, then what can it be legitimately used for?

On inspection of several packages I discover that the cotton bud is “ideal for baby care and your own beauty care.” I dont have children and obviously dont care for my beauty enough to know what is being referred to. Can anyone help me see the light?