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Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a yellowish waxy substance secreted in the ear canal of humans and many other mammals. It serves several important protective and lubricating functions.
Composition:
Earwax is not just a simple wax. It is a complex mixture of several components, including:
- Secretions from ceruminous glands: These are specialized sweat glands located in the outer cartilaginous portion of the ear canal. They produce a viscous, oily substance.
- Secretions from sebaceous glands: These glands, also located in the ear canal, produce sebum, an oily secretion that helps to lubricate the skin.
- Shed skin cells: The skin lining the ear canal, like all skin, is constantly being shed and replaced. These dead skin cells contribute to the composition of earwax.
- Hair: Tiny hairs within the ear canal trap dust and other foreign particles, which become incorporated into the earwax.
- Fatty acids: These contribute to the waxy texture and hydrophobic properties of earwax.
- Alcohol: Alcohol is found in earwax.
- Cholesterol: Cholesterol is found in earwax.
- Squalene: This is an oily hydrocarbon.
- Lysozyme: This is an antibacterial enzyme that helps protect the ear canal from infection.
- Immunoglobulins: Antibodies found in earwax that provide immune protection.
- Minerals: Various minerals may be present in small amounts.
Types of Earwax:
There are two main types of earwax, which are genetically determined:
- Wet type: This is the more common type in people of European and African descent. It is sticky and honey-colored to dark brown. The wet type is associated with a dominant gene.
- Dry type: This is more common in people of East Asian descent. It is flaky and gray or tan in color. The dry type is associated with a recessive gene.
Functions:
Earwax serves several crucial functions in protecting the ear canal:
- Lubrication: Earwax lubricates the skin of the ear canal, preventing it from becoming dry, cracked, and itchy.
- Protection: It traps dust, dirt, insects, fungi, bacteria, and other foreign particles, preventing them from reaching the eardrum and causing damage or infection.
- Antibacterial and antifungal properties: Lysozyme and other components of earwax have antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi in the ear canal.
- Cleaning: The movement of the jaw during chewing and speaking helps to naturally move earwax from the inner ear canal to the outer ear, where it eventually dries and flakes off. This self-cleaning mechanism helps to keep the ear canal clear.
- Water repellent: The waxy nature of earwax repels water, helping to prevent moisture from accumulating in the ear canal and potentially causing infection.
Earwax Production and Removal:
Earwax is constantly being produced in the ear canal. Normally, it is gradually moved out of the ear canal by the natural self-cleaning mechanism. Chewing, talking, and other jaw movements help to dislodge earwax and move it outward.
Problems with Earwax:
While earwax is essential for ear health, excessive buildup or impaction can lead to problems, including:
- Hearing loss: Impacted earwax can block the ear canal and prevent sound waves from reaching the eardrum, resulting in temporary hearing loss.
- Earache: Pressure from impacted earwax can cause pain in the ear.
- Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears can sometimes be caused by impacted earwax.
- Dizziness: In rare cases, impacted earwax can affect balance and cause dizziness.
- Cough: The ear canal has a branch of the vagus nerve, stimulation of this nerve with earwax impaction can cause coughing.
- Infection: Impacted earwax can create a moist environment that promotes bacterial or fungal growth, leading to ear infections.
Earwax Removal:
In most cases, earwax does not need to be removed, as the ear canal is self-cleaning. However, if earwax becomes impacted and causes symptoms, removal may be necessary. Common methods of earwax removal include:
- Cerumenolytics (earwax softening drops): Over-the-counter or prescription ear drops containing ingredients like mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide, glycerin, or carbamide peroxide can help to soften and loosen earwax, making it easier to remove naturally.
- Ear irrigation: A syringe or bulb can be used to gently flush warm water into the ear canal to dislodge and remove earwax.
- Manual removal: A healthcare professional can use specialized instruments, such as a curette or suction device, to manually remove impacted earwax. This method is typically used when other methods have failed or when the impaction is severe.
Things to Avoid:
- Cotton swabs: Using cotton swabs to clean the ears is generally not recommended, as they can push earwax further into the ear canal, leading to impaction. They can also irritate the ear canal and increase the risk of infection.
- Ear candling: This alternative medicine practice is not safe or effective for earwax removal and can cause serious injuries, such as burns and ear canal damage.
- Sharp objects: Avoid inserting sharp objects, such as hairpins or paperclips, into the ear canal, as they can damage the eardrum or other structures in the ear.
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