A<unk> <unk> s (American English) or<unk>  buds (British English) are handheld items that consist of one or two small wads of<unk>  wrapped around one or both ends of a short rod made of wood, rolled paper, or plastic. They are most commonly used for ear cleaning, although this use is not recommended by physicians. Other uses for<unk> s include first aid, cosmetics application, cleaning, and crafts. Some countries have banned the plastic-stemmed versions in favor of biodegradable alternatives over concerns about marine pollution.
Cotton swab
Buccal swab
Mouthwash
Tao brush
Cytobrush
MasSpec Pen
Throat lozenge
Haidinger's brush