Earwax
Earwax or ear wax, medically referred to as cerumen, is produced by glands in the outer ear canal. Its purpose is to trap dust and other small particles and prevent them from reaching and potentially damaging the eardrum. Normally, the wax dries up and falls out of the ear, along with any trapped dust or debris.
Earwax Causes:
Blockage, or impaction of earwax occurs when the wax gets pushed deep within the ear canal. Earwax blockage affects about 6% of people and is the most common ear problem doctors see. The most common cause of this is the use of Q-tips in the ear canal (and other objects such as bobby pins and rolled napkin corners), which pushes the wax deeper into the ear canal. Hearing aid and earplug users are also more prone to earwax blockage.
Earwax Symptoms:
Earwax blockage can be associated with a number of symptoms including:
decreased hearing,
dizziness,
ear pain,
plugged or fullness sensation in the ear, and/or
ringing in the ear.
When to Seek Medical Care:
When to go to the doctor:
If at-home removal of earwax is unsuccessful
If you suspect you have a perforated eardrum (recent ear infection, injury, loud noise, or pressure change from scuba diving)
If you develop drainage from your ear
If you experience severe pain, fever, or continuing hearing loss
When to go to the hospital:
If you have a severe spinning sensation, loss of balance, or inability to walk
If you have persistent vomiting or high fever
If you have a sudden loss of hearing
Earwax Diagnosis:
A doctor can diagnose earwax blockage (or eardrum perforation) by listening to the patient's symptoms and then looking into the ear with an otoscope (ear-scope).
Earwax Treatment:
Self-Care and Home Remedies:
The patient may try a few earwax removal methods at home. Do not try to remove earwax if you have ear pain or a discharge that looks different than earwax, if you think you have a ruptured eardrum, if you have had ear surgery, or if you have tubes in your ears.
Do not use cotton swabs, bobby pins, or other objects to clean the ear.
Do not use a dental irrigation device, such as a Water Pik, to remove earwax. The force of the water injures the ear canal and ruptures the eardrum.
Ear candling is not recommended. Ear candles are hollow cones made of paraffin and beeswax with cloth on the tapered end. The tapered end is placed inside the ear, and an assistant lights the other end, while making sure your hair does not catch on fire. This practice may result in serious injury.
Earwax Medical Treatment:
The doctor may remove the earwax with a small plastic spoon called a curette, or by irrigating the ear with warmed water, saline, sodium bicarbonate, or other prescription-strength eardrops.
Earwax Prevention:
Earwax is a protective substance produced in the ear canal. It usually flows out of the ear by itself without problems. In general, the best way to prevent earwax problems is to leave earwax alone.
You can keep earwax soft by inserting a few drops of mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide mixed with warm water into your ear.
Earwax blockage can be prevented by avoiding the use of cotton-tipped swabs or Q-tips and other objects that push the wax deeper into the ear canal or by application of a topical emollient.
Individuals with hearing aids should be routinely examined for earwax impaction (cerumen impaction) every 3 to 6 months.
When you rinse your hair, keep your head down with your chin toward your chest or pull the outside of your ear down over the ear canal.
Try not to get water, soap, or shampoo in your ear canal when you shower. Keep soap, bubble bath, and shampoo out of the ear canal. These products can cause itching and irritation.
After swimming or showering, shake your head to remove water from the ear canal.
Gently dry your ears with the corner of a tissue or towel.
Earwax Prognosis
Complications:
Perforated eardrum
Middle-ear infection
External-ear infection (swimmer's ear)
Dr. Heba Abdel Mawgoud Mohamed
MBBCh, MSc
(Otorhinolaryngology)
E.N.T Specialist,
GMC Hospital
& Research Centre, Fujairah