EARWAX
What is Earwax?
Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a substance generated by specific glands found in the skin of the outer third of the ear canal. Cerumen plays a crucial role as a self-cleaning agent with its protective, lubricating, and antibacterial properties. Without earwax, one might experience dryness or itchiness in the ears. The process of self-cleaning involves the slow and systematic movement of earwax and dead skin cells from the eardrum to the ear opening. Activities such as chewing and jaw motion aid in the transport of old earwax from the ear canal to the ear opening, where it usually dries, flakes, and falls out.
Signs & Causes of Earwax Blockage
Some common symptoms of an earwax blockage can include an earache, a sensation of fullness in the ear, partial hearing loss that worsens over time, tinnitus or sounds in the ear, itching, odor, or discharge, coughing, pain, and infection. Wax blockage against the eardrum often occurs when individuals use items like cotton-tipped swabs, bobby pins, or twisted napkin corners to probe their ears. These objects generally push the wax deeper into the ear canal.
Treatment Options for Earwax Blockage
Cleaning an operational ear involves gently washing it with a soft cloth, but you should avoid inserting anything into the ear. Ideally, the ear canals should not require cleaning. However, cleaning becomes necessary when there is an excess buildup of earwax leading to symptoms or hindering a doctor’s evaluation of the ear. This condition is known as cerumen impaction. Home treatments that soften the wax can effectively treat most cases of earwax blockage. These treatments can include using a few drops of mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, or commercial drops in the ear. Detergent drops like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide can also assist in wax removal. Irrigation or ear syringing is another commonly used method for cleaning, which can be performed by a physician or at home using a commercially available irrigation kit. Solutions used for syringing include water and saline, which should be warmed to body temperature to avoid dizziness. Ear syringing is most effective when water, saline, or wax dissolving drops are put into the ear canal 15 to 30 minutes before treatment. However, if you have diabetes, a hole in the eardrum, skin problems like eczema in the ear canal, or a weak immune system, it’s advisable to avoid having your ears irrigated. Manual removal of earwax is another effective method, usually carried out by an ENT specialist using suction or special miniature instruments, and a microscope to magnify the ear canal. Manual removal is preferred under certain conditions.
The Risk of Using Swabs for Earwax Removal
Earwax blockage is a common cause of hearing loss, often resulting from attempts to clean the ear with cotton swabs. Most of these attempts only push the wax deeper into the ear canal, causing a blockage at the narrowing part of the ear canal. Moreover, if the swab is inserted too deep, it can accidentally damage the eardrum or ear bones. Therefore, it is advised to refrain from inserting cotton-tipped swabs or other objects into the ear canals. The ear is a delicate and intricate body part, and it requires special care. If you feel that you may have a buildup of earwax, just give us a call to schedule an appointment.