What Is Earwax Buildup?

Earwax is a yellowish, waxy substance that forms inside the ear canal and is produced by the sebaceous gland. It is also known as cerumen. Earwax lubricates, cleans, and protects the ear canal’s lining. This is accomplished by repelling water, trapping dirt, and preventing insects, fungi, and germs from entering the ear canal and harming the eardrum. Earwax is mostly made up of skin that has shed its layers. It includes the following:

• 60% keratin
• 6–9% of cholesterol
• 12–20 percent long-chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, squalene, and alcohol

Earwax contains antimicrobial qualities and is slightly acidic. The ear canal would become dry, soggy, and infected if earwax is not present. Earwax can get hard and clog the ear if your glands produce more than is required. Cleaning your ears can cause a blockage if you mistakenly push the wax deeper. Temporary hearing loss is often a result of wax buildup.

What Causes Earwax Buildup?

Excessive earwax production is a problem for some people. Excess wax, on the other hand, does not always result in a clog. Earwax obstruction is most commonly caused by at-home earwax cleaning. Making use of cotton swabs, bobby pins, or other things in your ear canal can produce a blockage by pushing the wax deeper into the ear canal. Also, if you use earbuds frequently, you’re more prone to develop wax accumulation which can mistakenly obstruct the flow of earwax out of the ear canals, causing blockages.

Symptoms of Earwax Buildup

Earwax can be bright yellow or dark brown in color. The presence of a blockage is not always indicated by darker colors. You can detect earwax buildup by looking for the following symptoms:

• A feeling of fullness in the ear
• Earache
• Tinnitus results in a ringing in the ear
• Hearing loss can occur suddenly or gradually and is usually only temporary.

A buildup of earwax that isn’t cleared can lead to infection. Call your doctor if you’re having any of these infection symptoms:

• fever
• coughing
• dizziness
• a lot of discomfort in your ear
• a pain in your ear that won’t go away
• drainage from the ear
• hearing loss that persists
• a stench emanating from your ear

Risk Factors of Earwax Buildup and Blockage

Some people are more prone to earwax issues than others. Those who have a tendency to accumulate earwax include:

• Persons with a small or incompletely developed ear canal
• Individuals having a lot of hair in their ear canals
• Persons who have osteomata (benign bony growths) in the outer ear canal
• Older persons, because as earwax becomes drier and tougher with age, the risk of impaction rises.
• People with skin disorders.
• People who suffer from ear infections and impacted earwax on a regular basis.
• Those suffering from lupus or Sjogren’s syndrome
• Earwax problems are also common among people with learning disabilities, but the cause is unknown.

Home Remedies for Treating Earwax Buildup and Blockage

You should never try to remove earwax buildup on your own. This can cause serious ear damage and infection, as well as hearing loss. You should only use cotton swabs on the outside region of your ears if absolutely necessary. Wiping the exterior of the ear with a washcloth is one approach to eliminate extra earwax at home.

These self-care procedures can help you eliminate extra earwax that’s obstructing your ear canal if your eardrum doesn’t have a tube or a hole in it:

Make the Wax Softer

You can buy drops specifically designed to soften earwax over-the-counter. You can also use some of these chemicals:

• petrolatum (mineral oil)
• h2o2 (hydrogen peroxide)
• peroxide containing carbamide
• glycerin
• baby oil

If you have an ear infection, you should only use ear drops if your doctor recommends it.

Ear Irrigation

Irrigating the ear is another approach to clear earwax buildup. If you have an ear injury or have had a medical procedure done on your ear, never try to irrigate it. A ruptured eardrum may be irrigated, resulting in hearing loss or infection. Never use mouthwash or mouthwash that has been designed to irrigate your mouth or teeth because they exert greater force than your eardrum can withstand safely. Follow the instructions included with an over-the-counter kit or these steps to effectively irrigate your ear:

• Keep your head upright whether standing or sitting
• Pull the earlobe gently upwards while holding the outside of your ear
• Send a stream of body-temperature water into your ear with a syringe. Also, note that water that is too cold or too warm can cause dizziness
• Allow the water to drain by tilting your head

You may need to repeat this wax-softening and irrigation treatment a few times before the excess earwax falls out. On the other hand, the softening chemicals may only release the wax’s outer layer, leading it to lodge deeper in the ear canal or against the eardrum. Consult your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve after a few sessions.

Medical Treatment for Earwax Buildup

The majority of people do not require medical assistance for earwax removal on a regular basis. In fact, a once-a-year cleaning at your annual doctor’s appointment is usually sufficient to prevent blockage. Seek medical help if you can’t get rid of the wax or if your ear becomes more inflamed. Earwax buildup can be caused by a variety of causes. It’s critical that your doctor rule them out. They can see clearly into your inner ear with an otoscope, a lit equipment with a magnifier.

• They can use a curette, a small plastic spoon, to scoop it out
• They can flush the wax out of your ear using warmed water, sodium bicarbonate, or other prescription-strength ear drops
• The wax can also be removed with mild suction

Dangers of Ear Candling

It is not advisable to use ear candles. A hollow paraffin and beeswax cone with a tapered end made of fabric is used in the operation. The tapered end is inserted into the ear, and an aide lights the other end while keeping an eye on your hair to ensure it doesn’t catch fire. The flame creates a vacuum that pushes the wax out of the ear.
The use of these candles, according to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) can cause:

• ear and facial burns
• bleeding
• dangers from fire
• eardrums ruptured
• dripping wax-related injuries

Complications of Earwax Buildup

If earwax isn’t removed properly and correctly, it can cause problems. These are some of them:

• Eardrum perforation
• Infection in the middle ear
• Swimmer’s ear (external ear infection)
• Acoustic trauma causes permanent hearing loss

General Ear Care Tips

• Your primary care physician should examine your ears on a regular basis. If you or anybody else has concerns about your hearing, have it evaluated by an audiologist (a provider who specializes in hearing disorders). As needed, seek the advice of an expert.
• When you’re outside in the sun, don’t forget to protect your ears with sunscreen.
• Call your doctor if you see any strange pimples or scaly spots on the outside of your ear.

Now that you Know…

If you injure your ears, have ear discomfort, or notice any changes in your ears or hearing, see an ear doctor right away. Ear pain can also be caused by problems with the teeth, jaws, or neck. Above all, avoiding the use of cotton-tipped swabs (like Q-tips) and other devices that push wax further into the ear canal will help prevent earwax obstruction. Earwax is a natural part of ear health, however, it can be annoying at times. Using things to remove earwax can make the situation worse. Cotton swabs can cause eardrum or ear canal damage in severe cases.