Earwax blockage affects 20% of adults, but don’t go digging into your ear just yet. While you might feel the need to remove any earwax from your ear to prevent this from happening, you shouldn’t be touching it at all.
If your ears are feeling plugged, though, it is okay to try and get some of that earwax out. Keep reading to learn about how best go to about it.
Earwax and Its Purpose
Formally known as cerumen, earwax is made when the glands in your ears secrete fat, usually made from sweat and dead skin cells. This waxy substance travels through the ear canal and heads towards the ear’s opening. It has antibacterial properties that protect your ears from any dirt, debris, and bacteria.
The reason why you shouldn’t be putting anything in your ear, including cotton swabs and candles, is because you could push your earwax back in towards your ear canal. By putting foreign objects into your ear, you could damage your eardrum, give yourself an ear infection, and even affect your ability to hear well.
Earwax is not permanently stuck in your ear after it is produced. When the jaw moves in an upward and downward motion, it helps push the earwax out of your ear.
While it is recommended that you speak to your primary care physician or an ear, nose, throat doctor when you have excess earwax, there is one way to safely clean it by yourself.
How to Clean Earwax Buildup
The first thing you are going to want to do when you are trying to tackle earwax blockage is softening it. If you have hardened earwax, it is going to take more force to get it out. You want to be as gentle with your inner ear as possible.
Baby oil, mineral oil, glycerin, or hydrogen peroxide are the list of ingredients that are safe to put inside your ear to soften the wax. Some products can help with earwax buildup, like drops that contain these oils and minerals that are safe for your ears.
Next, take a rubber-bulb syringe and fill it with lukewarm water. You are going to squirt this water into your ear and then tilt your head so that the water runs down to the ear canal. Once it gets there, you are going to tilt your head sideways and let the water run out of your ear.
After following these steps, your ears shouldn’t feel full anymore, but if they do, you can use this method a couple more times. Be sure to dry off your outer ear once you are finished.
Earwax Blockage Symptoms
It is common for the elderly to have earwax buildup, as hearing aids can keep the wax from escaping the ear canal. However, this happens with headphones as well, so it can affect a majority of the population.
There is a multitude of symptoms that can occur because of earwax blockage. This list includes itching, earaches, hearing loss, and even coughing and dizziness. If you do not get the excess earwax out of your ear, it becomes easier for bacteria to grow there. Make sure to call your doctor if the earwax buildup removal suggestions did not work for you.
Keep Those Ears Healthy
Because your ears are home to one of your five senses, they must be taken care of properly. This means safely taking care of any earwax blockage, but also letting earwax do its job in protecting your eardrums and ear canals.
If you are interested in learning more about keeping your body happy and healthy, check out some of these latest articles.