Earwax Facts

Earwax. It’s that orange or brown waxy oil (cerumen) in your ears that does the important job of trapping dirt and bacteria so that it doesn’t travel deeper into the ear canal and cause infections.

Normally, the wax works its way up the ear canal, draining on its own. In some folks, however, earwax can build up too much or harden so that a blockage occurs. This can happen in one or both ears. If you have an earwax blockage, it can be very uncomfortable.

Signs and symptoms of earwax blockage:

·         Partial hearing loss

·         Ear pain and/or pressure

·         Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)

·         Fullness or feeling that the ear is plugged

Removing earwax is a relatively simple process that often involves using a syringe to drain out the blockage.

If you think you need earwax removed, please do not try and do it yourself. Have a doctor look at it. The eardrum and ear canal are very delicate. Injuries, such as perforated eardrums, can result from using home remedies.

Don’t put cotton swabs inside the ear! Only use them to clean the outer ear area. Putting anything in the ear can cause earwax blockage by pushing some of the wax farther in.

It’s also important to see a doctor if your ears are bothering you because symptoms of earwax blockage are similar to those of more serious ear conditions, such as ear infections, and may require a different course of treatment.

If you have ear pain or discomfort, visit us at Doctors Express of Timonium to determine the cause of your symptoms and the best course of treatment.

Be well!