Ear Wax (cont.)
What does ear wax look like?
Cerumen varies
in form and appearance from person to person. It may be almost liquid, firm and solid, or dry and
flaky. The color of
ear wax varies depending upon its composition. Glandular secretions,
sloughed skin cells, normal bacteria present on the surface of the canal, and
water may are present in ear wax.
Most of the time the ear canals are
self-cleaning; that is, there is a slow and orderly migration of the skin lining
the ear canal from the eardrum to the outer opening of the ear. Old earwax is
constantly being transported from the deeper areas of the ear canal out to the
opening where it usually dries, flakes, and falls out.
When should ear wax be removed?
Under ideal circumstances, a person should never have to clean their ear canals.
However, we all know that this isn't always the case and sometimes removal of
ear wax is necessary. Excessive ear wax may build up in
the ear canal for many of reasons including:
- narrowing of the ear canal
resulting from infections or diseases of the skin, bones, or
connective tissue;
- production of a less fluid form of cerumen (more common in older persons due to
aging of the glands that produce ear wax); or
- overproduction of cerumen in
response to trauma or blockage within the ear canal.
When wax has accumulated so
much that it blocks the ear canal (and interferes with hearing), a physician
may have to wash it out (known as lavage), vacuum it, or
remove it with special instruments. Alternatively, a physician may prescribe
ear drops that are designed to soften the wax [such as
trolamine polypeptide oleate-ear drops
(Cerumenex)].
The patient may first try an over-the-counter
product (OTC) if they need to
remove ear wax, such as Debrox or Murine Ear Drops. If the ear still feels
blocked after using these drops, a physician should be consulted. If the person does
try OTC ear wax softeners, it is imperative to know that he or she does not have a
perforated (punctured) eardrum prior to using the product. Putting ear wax
softeners in the ear in the presence of a perforated eardrum may cause an
infection in the middle ear. Similarly, simply washing one's ear in the presence of a perforation
may start an infection. If a person is uncertain whether or not he or she has a
perforation (hole) in the eardrum, consult a physician. Some individuals may
also be hypersensitive to products designed to soften ear wax. Therefore, if
pain, tenderness or a local skin rash develops,
the use of these drops should
be discontinued.
Next: Is it OK to use Q-tips? »
- carbamide peroxide-otic, Auro, Debrox, Murine Earwax Drops - Consumer information about the medication CARBAMIDE PEROXIDE - OTIC (Auro, Debrox, Murine Earwax Drops), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Read more about the prescription drug CARBAMIDE PEROXIDE - OTIC.
- Otitis Media - Learn more about otitis media and how this acute or chronic middle ear infection, that mostly affects children, is caused, diagnosed and treated on MedicineNet.com
- Swimmer's Ear - Read about swimmer's ear (external otitis or otitis externa), an infection of the skin covering the outer ear, including prevention tips, symptoms, causes and treatment (ear drops) for chronic, acute infections of the outer ear canal.
Latest Medical News
Hearing RSS