Editing Cotton swab (section)

== Use ==
[[Image:Earwax on swab.jpg|right|thumb|[[Wet-type earwax]] on a cotton swab]]

The most common use for cotton swabs is to clean the [[ear canal]] by removing [[earwax]]. This use is usually against manufacturer instructions. Cotton swabs are also commonly used for cosmetic purposes such as applying and removing makeup and touching up nail polish, as well as for household uses such as cleaning and arts and crafts.

Medical-type swabs are often used to take [[microbiology|microbiological]] cultures. The swabs are rubbed onto or into the infected area, then wiped across the [[culture medium]], such as an [[agar plate]], where bacteria from the swab may grow. They are also used to take DNA samples, most commonly by scraping cells from the inner cheek in the case of humans. They can be used to apply medicines to a targeted area, to selectively remove substances from a targeted area, or to apply cleaning substances like [[Betadine]]. They are also used as applicators for cosmetics, ointments, and other substances.

A related area is the use of swabs for microbiological [[environmental monitoring]]. Once taken, the swab can be streaked onto an agar plate, or the contents of the tip removed by agitation or dilution into the broth. The broth can be filtered or incubated and examined for microbial growth.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Sandle, T. |title=A study of a new type of swab for the environmental monitoring of isolators and cleanrooms|journal=European Journal of Parenteral & Pharmaceutical Sciences |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=42–48|date=July 2011 }}</ref>

Cotton swabs are also often used outside of the field of personal hygiene:

* They are often used in the construction of [[Plastic model|plastic model kits]], for various applications during the application of decals or painting. Special brands of cotton swabs exist for this purpose, characterised by sturdier cotton heads and varied shapes of those heads.
* They can be used in the dyne test for measuring [[surface energy]]. This use is problematic, as manufacturers differ in the binders they use to fix the cotton to the stem, affecting the outcome of the test.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pffc-online.com/magazine/1065-paper-taking-measure-surface/ |title=Taking the measure of surface treatment is a learning process |publisher=PFFC: Paper, Film & Foil Converter |date=1 September 1996 |author=Edward Boyle |access-date=20 March 2010 }}</ref>
* They are frequently used for cleaning the [[laser diode]] lens of an [[optical drive]] in conjunction with [[rubbing alcohol]]. Similarly, they are used for cleaning larger computer parts such as video cards and fans. They were also widely used in the past to clean video game cartridges.

=== Role in medical diagnostics ===
The importance of swab technology in medical diagnostics is immense. Swabs are a primary tool for collecting patient specimens, vital for accurately detecting pathogens, DNA sampling, and disease diagnosis. The collection's precise nature and the swab's quality are critical in ensuring reliable test results.

Nasopharyngeal swabs for respiratory virus detection swabs for efficient DNA material collection swabs to assess the presence of microbial infection in sterility and prevention of contamination.