Wax is natural and good for your ears
Ear wax consists of sweat, particles of dead skin, hair, and a water-based substance secreted by glands inside the ear canal. As the ear produces more wax, old wax is pushed out of the ear opening, dries, and falls out naturally.
Ears are self-cleaning
Photo by kenfotos
Although many people clean their ears as part of their daily routine, pushing a cotton swab, bobby pin, or other instrument into the ear can push wax too far into the ear canal, causing it to become impacted and, sometimes, infected. Similarly, ear candles aren’t a good idea as the candle can tear the fragile membrane between the inner and middle ear, and the wax could drip inside the ear, further obstructing the ear canal.
Too much wax isn’t good either
Some people are genetically predisposed to producing excess wax. Most cases of wax buildup can be taken care of with over-the-counter ear irrigation kits, or by placing a few drops of baby oil, mineral oil, or glycerin into the ears, waiting half an hour, and then syringing the canal with a rubber bulb. Before you try this for the first time, consult your ENT specialist to ensure proper procedure. If you have diabetes, tubes in your ears, a weakened immune system, a history of ear problems, or are caring for a child or elder who you suspect has a wax problem, it’s definitely best to see a doctor before attempting any kind of home treatment.
