Why do we have earwax in the first place, and what should we do if it accumulates?
Within our ears, we all have a layer of earwax, medically known as cerumen, although the amount and texture varies from person to person. However, if it accumulates and begins to compromise your hearing and health, you should consider removing it.
The good news is that removing earwax is simple and may frequently be done using things you already have in your kitchen or bathroom. Just be careful not to harm your ear by using the incorrect ways. Here's what you should know about earwax, how to remove it safely, and what you should never do.
So, what exactly is earwax?
Consider earwax to be a mixture of components. "Earwax is a collection of oil produced by the skin of the ear canal that, when combined with debris and exfoliated skin, forms wax," explains Omid Mehdizadeh, MD, an ENT and laryngologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
This mixture of skin cells, perspiration, and other substances can have a variety of textures. According to Yin Ren, MD, PhD, an otolaryngologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, some people's bodies create a dry, flaky earwax, while others' systems produce a more sticky substance. Earwax production is a natural process that occurs in everyone's ears, according to Dr. Ren.
Why earwax is important for good health
We may think of earwax as a little disgusting and something to brush away, but according to Dr. Ren, "it serves a variety of purposes."For one thing, he claims, earwax keeps the ear canal healthy. He explains that the skin inside the ear canal is thin and that there isn't much between it and the bone underneath. According to him, earwax acts as a shield for everything else in the ear canal. Wax, for example, acts as a natural barrier, preventing bugs from flying in and exploring. According to the US National Library of Medicine, it also keeps dust, dirt, and germs out.
Earwax also has a little lower pH, making it slightly acidic, according to Dr. Ren. It has antibacterial characteristics as a result of this. "It prevents ear infections," he says, which could occur if there is no wax at all.
When it comes to earwax, how can you know if you have too much?
Earwax normally makes its way out of the ear on its own once it has built up, according to Dr. Ren. You don't need to pay attention to this activity, unlike your nails or hair, which continue to grow. According to Harvard Health Publishing, even tiny everyday actions like eating and talking can aid in the removal of earwax from the ear canal.
However, some people develop earwax buildup. This could be due to the use of a Q-tip (more on that later), or it could be due to the fact that you produce an unusually large amount of wax, or your body produces sticky or harder wax that doesn't dislodge on its own.
However, there is no immediate danger in this case. According to Dr. Ren, earwax rarely prevents you from hearing. "Most of the time, even if patients have a lot of earwax, their hearing isn't hindered as long as there's still a small route for the sound to get through."
How to safely remove ear wax
According to Dr. Ren, these are the options :
- Apply a small amount of oil. Earwax can be softened using mineral or baby oil, according to Dr. Ren. Put a few drops in your ear and leave them there. He explains, "It's a really mild, oily substance that softens the wax and allows it to come out on its own." According to Dr. Mehdizadeh, olive oil can also be used.
- Use drops that are available over-the-counter. Eardrops, such as those made by Debrox, have a similar effect of softening earwax and allowing it to flow out naturally, according to Dr. Ren.
- Fill your ear with diluted hydrogen peroxide. According to Dr. Mehdizadeh, a 50/50 mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide can be used to eliminate earwax.
How not to remove ear wax
"Using soft Kleenex or a Q-tip on the very outside areas of the ear is totally fair," Dr. Mehdizadeh says. But put down that Q-tip when it comes to eliminating wax from the inside portions of your ear! Sure, these cotton buds appear to be the ideal shape for cleaning your ear. However, using one—or other metal utensils such as tiny metal spoon instruments, a hairpin, or other metal implements—can harm the skin of the ear canal, according to Dr. Ren.
Even minor scrapes might become into infections. "In the worst-case situation, the Q-tip might probe too deeply and tear the eardrum, which would be a much bigger issue," Dr. Ren explains. He warns that this can result in pain, hearing loss, or even permanent damage that requires surgery to repair.
Cotton buds, on the other hand, aren't particularly adept at the job. "As you move the Q-tip deeper into the ear, it [often] drags and pulls earwax deeper," Dr. Ren explains. According to him, this can pack the earwax to the end of the ear canal, right next to the eardrum, making removal more difficult and uncomfortable.
Another approach to avoid, according to Dr. Mehdizadeh, is camera kits, which can be acquired online and used to look for wax. "I would not recommend that unless you had an advanced understanding of ear anatomy," he says.
Dr. Mehdizadeh explains that ear candling, which involves placing a specially shaped candle in your ear, is not a recommended method for wax removal. It is just ineffective, according to studies.
When should you go to the doctor for earwax?
Contact your doctor if your at-home remedies aren't working. "To remove the wax, they have better and safer instruments," Dr. Ren says.
Your primary care physician can usually assist you. "In general, primary care providers will irrigate the ear with some water solution," explains Dr. Mehdizadeh, who adds that it's usually effective.
If you've previously had ear problems, such as ear infections, ear tubes, surgery, or perforated eardrums, Dr. Mehdizadeh recommends seeing an ENT. He notes that an ENT will remove earwax using dry equipment (no water), which is preferred for patients who have had ear problems in the past.
Excessive ear wax can be treated with home treatments in many cases. "However, if you have any problems, go to your ear, nose, and throat doctor, and we'll take care of it quickly," Dr. Ren advises.
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