Usually, we don’t pay much attention to the inside of our ears, apart from a very general “are they clean?” However, even when we clean our ears we should be giving them more thought and look at the color of our earwax. The color of our earwax can give us valuable signals when something is wrong.
What is The Role of Ear Wax in the Body?
Many people see earwax as a gross and annoying irritation, but it is, in fact, the crucial part of our natural defense system. Ear wax has the responsibility of protecting the skin and ear from water and infection.
The amount of ear wax and its consistency differ from person to person. It can be wet, or dry, and too much or too little, so, you really want to have just the right amount.
The Right Amount of Ear Wax
The only way to truly know if the amount of earwax in your ears is normal can tell you the doctor, who first should analyze it.
You can also experience some symptoms that will tell you about the buildup of earwax. When you notice next symptoms, you should consult a doctor:
– Fullness in the ear, earache, or a ‘plugged’ feeling
– Ringing, Tinnitus, or noises in the ear
– Partial hearing loss
– Coughing
– Odor, itching, or discharge
What Your Earwax Says About Your Health
a) ColorThe color of ear wax can vary in individuals, but some colors can indicate serious health problems, says Benjamin Tweel, MD, an otolaryngologist from New York City.
– Normal earwax – from light orange to dark brown color
– Yellow, green, white, or black – suggests an infection and you need to see a doctor
b) Odd Smell
The normal ear wax should never have an odor. According to Tweel, any smell could be a sign of an infection. If you notice a smell you need to treat it.
c) Flakiness
In case of flaky and dry wax you could have another skin problem that is predominant, such as eczema. Usually, this consistency can be accompanied by psoriasis.
d) Itchy Ears
Every scratching in your ear doesn’t mean that there’s a problem with your ear. However, in case you are experiencing constantly itching and scratching it can be a sign that you have an infection.
e) Earwax Removal
Ear wax keeps your ears dry and prevents infection, but you should control the condition of the wax, in order to prevent from blocking your ears. Ideally, the ears should never have to be cleaned, but sometimes it is necessary when you should consult a doctor or clean your ears safely using proper methods.
When you want to remove earwax, you shouldn’t use cotton-tipped applicators (such as Q-tips) because you are at risk of breaking your eardrum. Sometimes by trying to clean it, you can jam ear wax even deeper into the ear shaft. By using these applicators you may increase the risk of bacterial infection in the external ear canal.
The best way of cleaning is by the specialists, but you can also try this safe ear cleaning method at home:
Soften the wax
By an eyedropper, you can apply a few drops of glycerin of natural baby oil in your ear canal.
Use warm water
When the wax has softened (after a day or two), use a rubber-bulb syringe to gently spray warm water into your ear canal. Tilt your head to allow the water to enter the ear. After the irrigating tip your head to the side and let the water drain out.
Dry your ear canal
After you finish with water, gently dry your outer ear with a clean towel.
You should pay more attention to not irrigate them if you have diabetes, tube in the eardrum, a hole in the eardrum (perforation), weakened the immune system, or skin problems such as eczema in the ear canal.
Earwax can give us some important clues about general health and well-being.
