Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a substance the ears naturally produce. It comprises oils, sweat, dead skin cells and dirt. This combination may sound yucky, but earwax plays a very important role in the ear’s health. We review everything you need to know about earwax below.
What Does Earwax Do?
Earwax has several important jobs:
- It is a natural barrier that prevents dirt, bacteria and other debris from entering the middle and inner ear.
- It moisturizes and protects the ear canal’s skin, helping prevent infection and irritation.
- It acts as a natural insect repellent; the smell keeps insects away while the stickiness traps any that do enter the ear.
What Does the Color of My Earwax Mean?
The color of your earwax can reveal information about your health:
- White, flaky earwax indicates you may lack a body-odor producing chemical.
- Dark, sticky earwax reveals you probably use deodorant.
- Yellow, orange or light brown earwax is healthy and normal.
- Reddish earwax may indicate there’s an injury to your ear.
- Dark brown or black earwax is old earwax that has trapped a lot of debris.
Should I Remove Earwax from My Ears?
In most cases, you do not need to remove the earwax from your ears. In fact, an overly clean ear can be an unhealthy ear.
If you find your earwax to be unsightly, or if it’s collecting in the bowl of your ear, you can clean the outer ear with a damp washcloth or let the shower water irrigate it.
The only time you need to remove earwax is if it’s impacted.
What if My Earwax Is Impacted?
Symptoms of impacted earwax include:
- Earache
- Itchy ear
- Odor or discharge from the ear
- Feeling of fullness in the ear
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
- Dizziness
- Hearing loss
According to one study, earwax “is more likely to accumulate and cause a hearing impairment when normal extrusion is prevented (for example, by hearing aids or by the use of cotton buds to clean the ears).”
If your earwax is impacted, you can first try over-the-counter eardrops from The Medicine Chest Pharmacy to soften it. If this doesn’t work, you should schedule an appointment with an expert ENT physician to have it removed. Never try to remove it yourself with a cotton swab, hair pin, tweezers or candling.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Ear, Nose & Throat Associates today