Ear wax

At Ear wax it is a yellowish mass that is formed in the outer ear canals. In most cases, the appearance of ear wax is a normal and healthy phenomenon.

What is ear wax?

The Ear wax is formed by special glands in the ear. For most people, the yellowish to brown mass is sticky and moist. In Asia and among the native peoples of America, however, a dry variant of the earwax was genetically established.

However, both forms serve the same purpose: penetrating dirt and insects should be kept away from the sensitive body opening.

Ear wax has an antibacterial effect and can also absorb dead skin cells and other dirt particles and transport them to the outside. The occurrence of earwax becomes problematic only when it forms plugs which can block the ear canal.

causes

The reason for the grafting of Ear wax is in many cases improper or excessive cleaning. Some people naturally build up too much wax; others make it worse by removing the wax too often.

By using cotton swabs to clean the ear canal, the wax is additionally compacted. While the loose ear wax is carried outside by movements while chewing or speaking, a plug can no longer take this route.

The wax builds up, which can lead to pressure feelings and hearing loss. Severe itching in the ear can also be an indication of an earwax plug.

Diagnosis & course

A plug off Ear wax is not dangerous to the ear. The hearing impairment is only temporary and disappears as soon as the plug has been removed.

However, many people believe that they can use various objects to remove the plug themselves. Paper clips, matches or similar objects are used regularly to remove the wax. However, this easily causes more damage than earwax could ever do.

If the eardrum is injured, pathogens can enter. Inflammation and, in the worst case, even loss of hearing can be the consequences. However, if you have the ear wax plug professionally removed or use the appropriate aids from the pharmacy, you do not have to fear any damage. With the right care, the re-formation of an earwax plug can be completely prevented.

treatment

Ear wax in normal amounts does not need to be treated as it is one of the body's natural protective mechanisms. However, if a plug has formed, it must be removed. Few methods can be tested by the patient at home. Special drops, which are dripped into the ear for this purpose, make the plug swell so that it can flow off naturally.

Warm water is then sufficient to rinse the ear. Since the organ of equilibrium is affected by this procedure, the ears should only be rinsed in a sitting position. Another method is to use an ear candle. This beeswax candle, which is hollow inside, is placed in the affected ear and ignited. The negative pressure created by the heat generation can help to loosen the plug. But caution is advised. Hot wax could drip in your ear and burn sensitive skin.

For this reason, the patient should not use the candle alone. If this method is unsuccessful, the ear, nose and throat specialist can help with treatment. He has the right instruments to work safely inside the ear canal. Even with medical assistance, the earwax plug is usually loosened so that it can be removed.

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prevention

Instead of that Ear wax To pry it out of the ear canal with cotton swabs or other tools, it's better to let it drain. Cleaning the auricle is enough to keep your ears clean. The inside of the ear canal should be disregarded in daily maintenance. On the one hand, this prevents the production of ear wax from being unnecessarily stimulated, and on the other hand prevents the wax from condensing inside the ear.

Ear wax remedies