Ear, Nose And Throat / Question
Published: May 19, 2004
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I was wondering where does ear wax come from? I get a lot of ear wax out of my ear everyday. What can i do to stop it?
Signed: Ear Wax & Ear Care
Dear Ear Wax & Ear Care,
Ear wax is a sticky liquid called cerumen (pronounced suh-roo-mun for those of you wishing to use the correct name). Your outer ear has hair follicles and glands that create this wax. The purpose of ear wax and these hairs are to trap dust and other foreign particles that enter into the ear canals. So, ear wax is the body's way of keeping the ear clean and free of foreign particles that do not belong inside the ear and this prevents blockages and infection.
So what happens to the ear wax?
Under normal circumstances and with most people, over time the ear wax makes its way to the opening of the ear where it falls out or is washed away during normal cleansing.
So how do I clean my ears?
As far as cleaning your ears goes, you can wash them with soap and water and wipe the outer ear with your towel or washcloth. The American Academy of Otolaryngology (the professionals and doctors that deal with ears) do not recommend using cotton tipped swabs (qtips) or anything else inside your ear to clean it. The old saying proves true "Never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear!"
What happens if I have a lot of wax everyday?
Sometimes people produce too much ear wax or there is a buildup. Or even worse yet, some people use cotton swabs or other foreign objects inside their ears causing the wax to be pushed deeper into the ear canal. In these cases, sometimes the wax hardens and blocks the ear canal called "Wax Blockage". This is the most common cause of hearing loss for people of all ages and needs to be treated. A person can go to their family physician or an ENT doctor. There are some very simple treatment for blockages and excessive wax, but we only recommend you doing them after speaking with your doctor.
You cannot stop earwax from happening. The ears are usually self cleaning, but some people may need to go to the doctor to get checked out for a blockage or excessive ear wax in the ear canal.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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