Why Does Ear Wax Come Out of the Ear?
-
What is Ear Wax?
-
The proper name for ear wax is cerumen. Ear wax "serves as a self-cleaning agent with protective, lubricating and antibacterial properties," according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology. It's a secretion produced by the body to trap unwanted particles, dust, shed hair and foreign bodies before they get into the ear canal, guarding a person's hearing and cranial health. Even though it might seem an unnecessary nuisance, ear wax is a strong line of defense for one of our most important senses.
Why Does Ear Wax Come Out?
-
The cerumen glands produce a constant secretion of ear wax. As this substance accumulates, movement from the body coupled with outside dirt carries the older wax out and away from the inner ear. What most people see and feel are the oldest wax secretions; the newer stuff is deeper inside the ear. Therefore, the ear is a self-cleaning machine that constantly flushes itself. It's best to have a good flow of wax because hardened wax can cause painful blockage of the ear canal.
-
How to Clean Up Ear Wax
-
To clean out the ears, use a soft washcloth and gently wipe around the ear canal opening. Avoid using cotton swabs because it's very easy to slip and damage the eardrum. Cotton swabs also push ear wax back into the ear, making cleaning counterproductive. If there seems to be a loss of hearing or blockage, try seeing a doctor, who can flush the canal to remove hardened wax. Avoid ear candles because they do little to clean out the ears (see References).
-
References
- Photo Credit 2008 Adam Selwood / Creative Commons
