Hello hivers!!!
Have you ever felt an urge to clean the ear wax due to the discomfot made by it ??? Most of us think that ear wax is the dirt that we get due to external dust or infections. Today, I want to share some simple but important tips to all of you about the ear wax.
What exactly is the ear wax?
Medically, ear wax is known as cerumen, which is produced by the ceruminous glands mixed with desquamated epithelium of the external auditory canal skin present in the skin of our external auditory canal. It is usually malodorous, unpleasant to eyes and most of us usually feel disgust when it comes at the opening of the external auditory canal. Although it does not look good, it performs many hidden functions.
Picture credit: ( Wikimedia commons)
Prevents foreign bodies like insects, dusts and pollens from reaching the external auditory canal.
Has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Provides hydration and maintains the moisture in ear.
In simple terms, ear wax usually act as the natural safeguard to protect our ear.
Does ear wax need regular cleaning?
The answer to this question is usually no. Ear is a self cleansing organ. The desquamated epithelium of the tympanic membrane and the canal skin runs centrifugally from the centre to the peripheral skin, so there is usually no tendency of the wax to get impregnated and stay in the canal. It usually comes out to the surface during natural movements like speaking, chewing, yawning. Eventually, it dries and gets crusted and removes on itelf.
Use of cotton buds can be harmful.
Many of us use cotton buds regularly in the hope to clean the ear. But in most cases it pushes the wax deeper near the tympanic membrane instead of removing it.
It can lead to wax impaction, earache, infections, decreased hearing, bleeding, trauma to the canal and tympanic membrane perforation.
When should we remove the impacted ear wax?
In cases where the impacted wax is causing hearing loss, ear ache, discomfort, itching and ringing sensation to the ear, it may be removed.
Can we clean our ear at home?
The answer is usually no. Because of the trauma created in the canal due to repeated ear bud use, it may lead to the condition like acute otitis externa which may lead to pus formation.
How can we clean ear wax safely?
Its better to visit the otorhinolaryngology clinic for this purpose.
Clinicians usually recommend the topical wax softeners like paradichlorobenzene, chlorbutol, benzocaine and turpentine oil. After the application for 7-10 days, clinicians perform certain procedures like syringing, manual removing or ear suctioning to safely remove the ear wax.
Picture credit: ( Wikimedia Commons)
My advice:
References
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25738938/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4356173/
