Wax | Five facts & myths about earwax by ENT Doctor

What is earwax?

Earwax is also known as cerumen. It’s an oily, wax-like secretion found in the ear canal. Specialised sweat glands called ceruminous glands produce the cerumen, they are found in the outer 1/3rd hair bearing part of the ear canal. Wax is a mixture of oil, sweat, dead skin cells and dirt.

Five facts about earwax:

1. Cerumen can be of different colour in different individuals. Colour depends on the level dirt and debris trapped in the wax.  Adults generally have darker wax as compared to children. Healthy earwax is generally light brown,yellow or orange in colour and soft in consistency.
2. Wax is beneficial for the ear. Due to its sticky nature, it traps dirt, debris,  dead cells and hair.
3. Earwax is mildly acidic in nature. This prevents bacterial and fungal growth. It protects the tympanic membrane and middle ear from exogenous infections.
4. Earwax forms a physical barrier for small insects and critters that may enter the ear and damage the eardrum and traps them.
5. It’s hydrophobic nature prevents water damage to the ear.

Five myths about earwax 

1. Earwax is dirty. It is a normal secretion of your body with a specific and important function that is to protect the inner ear.
2. Earwax should be of a particular colour and consistency. Cerumen productions varies across age groups, sex and races. It can be wet, dry, flaky, soft or hard. Normal wax can be brown, orange or yellow. 
3. Ears should be cleaned regularly in order to keep ears wax free. Wax is necessary for a healthy ear canal.  Excessive ear cleaning can lead to introducing harmful bacteria and fungi to the ear. Cleaning the ear after a bath or swim leads to microabrasions on the canal skin. This leads to painful infection of the ear called “Otitis externa”.
4. OTC ear drops / oils/ soap should be used inside the ear. They are harmful for the ear. Ear drops should only be used on advice of an ENT specialist.
5. Earbuds/sticks/pins/needles can remove ear wax. No, these objects will push the wax deeper into the canal and injure the ear. These should be avoided at all costs.

Ear cleaning should only be done by a professional on advice of an ENT Doctor. Self cleaning the ear can give rise to chronic ear troubles.

This article was written by Dr Akanksha Saxena, Consultant ENT, Head & Neck Surgeon, ENT360. She is a practising ENT Specialist in Gurgaon with over 10 years of experience. Read more of her blogs here.