Editing Cotton swab (section)

{{Short description|Personal care item}}
{{Redirect|Q-Tip}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
[[File:White menbo.jpg|thumb|220px|A cotton swab]]

'''Cotton swabs''' ([[American English]]) or '''cotton buds''' ([[British English]]), also '''Q-tips''' ([[proprietary eponym]]), are wads of [[cotton]] wrapped around a short rod made of wood, rolled paper, or [[plastic]]. They are most commonly used for ear cleaning, although physicians do not recommend using them. Other uses for cotton swabs include [[first aid]], [[cosmetics]] application, cleaning, [[infant]] care, and [[arts and crafts|crafts]]. Some countries have banned the plastic-stemmed versions in favor of [[biodegradable]] alternatives over concerns about [[marine pollution]].