Earwax: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Earwax | |||
| image = [[File:OhrenSchmalzBrocken.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = A chunk of earwax | |||
| synonyms = [[Cerumen]] | |||
| pronunciation = | |||
| specialty = [[Otolaryngology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Hearing loss]], [[earache]], [[tinnitus]], [[itching]], [[dizziness]] | |||
| complications = [[Infection]], [[ear canal blockage]] | |||
| onset = | |||
| duration = | |||
| causes = [[Overproduction]], [[improper cleaning]], [[narrow ear canal]] | |||
| risks = [[Use of cotton swabs]], [[hearing aids]], [[earplugs]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Physical examination]], [[otoscopy]] | |||
| differential = [[Otitis externa]], [[foreign body in ear]] | |||
| prevention = Avoiding [[cotton swabs]], proper [[ear hygiene]] | |||
| treatment = [[Ear drops]], [[irrigation]], [[manual removal]] | |||
| medication = [[Cerumenolytics]] | |||
| frequency = Common | |||
| deaths = | |||
}} | |||
'''Earwax''', also known as '''cerumen''', is a natural substance produced by glands in the ear canal. It serves to protect, clean, and lubricate the ears. Despite its benefits, excessive or hardened earwax can lead to discomfort, hearing loss, tinnitus, and other problems. | '''Earwax''', also known as '''cerumen''', is a natural substance produced by glands in the ear canal. It serves to protect, clean, and lubricate the ears. Despite its benefits, excessive or hardened earwax can lead to discomfort, hearing loss, tinnitus, and other problems. | ||
== Production and Function == | == Production and Function == | ||
Earwax is produced by ceruminous and sebaceous glands in the outer third of the ear canal. It is a mixture of skin cells, hair, and the secretions of these glands. The primary function of earwax is to protect the skin of the human ear canal, assist in cleaning and lubrication, and also provide some protection from bacteria, fungi, insects, and water. | Earwax is produced by ceruminous and sebaceous glands in the outer third of the ear canal. It is a mixture of skin cells, hair, and the secretions of these glands. The primary function of earwax is to protect the skin of the human ear canal, assist in cleaning and lubrication, and also provide some protection from bacteria, fungi, insects, and water. | ||
== Types of Earwax == | == Types of Earwax == | ||
There are two distinct genetically determined types of earwax: the wet type, which is primarily brown and sticky, and the dry type, which is gray and flaky. The type of earwax one has is determined by a single gene. | There are two distinct genetically determined types of earwax: the wet type, which is primarily brown and sticky, and the dry type, which is gray and flaky. The type of earwax one has is determined by a single gene. | ||
== Problems Caused by Earwax == | == Problems Caused by Earwax == | ||
Excessive or impacted earwax can cause several problems, including discomfort, partial hearing loss, tinnitus, odor, cough, and vertigo. It can also create a blockage in the ear canal, which can lead to infection if not treated. | Excessive or impacted earwax can cause several problems, including discomfort, partial hearing loss, tinnitus, odor, cough, and vertigo. It can also create a blockage in the ear canal, which can lead to infection if not treated. | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
Treatment for excessive or impacted earwax includes over-the-counter ear drops that soften the wax so it can be expelled from the ear, manual removal by a healthcare professional, or irrigation of the ear canal. It is generally not recommended to use cotton swabs or other objects to try to remove earwax, as this can push the wax further into the ear canal and cause impaction. | Treatment for excessive or impacted earwax includes over-the-counter ear drops that soften the wax so it can be expelled from the ear, manual removal by a healthcare professional, or irrigation of the ear canal. It is generally not recommended to use cotton swabs or other objects to try to remove earwax, as this can push the wax further into the ear canal and cause impaction. | ||
==Gallery== | |||
<gallery> | |||
File:Ear_Wax.JPG|Earwax | |||
File:Dry_earwax_cropped.jpg|Earwax | |||
File:World_map_ABCC11_A_Allele.svg|World map of ABCC11 A Allele | |||
File:An_ear-cleaner,_attending_to_a_man's_ear._Gouache_painting_Wellcome_L0022250.jpg|An ear-cleaner attending to a man's ear | |||
</gallery> | |||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* [[Audiology]] | * [[Audiology]] | ||
* [[Otolaryngology]] | * [[Otolaryngology]] | ||
| Line 24: | Line 43: | ||
* [[Tinnitus]] | * [[Tinnitus]] | ||
* [[Vertigo]] | * [[Vertigo]] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Medicine]] | [[Category:Medicine]] | ||
[[Category:Otolaryngology]] | [[Category:Otolaryngology]] | ||
[[Category:Audiology]] | [[Category:Audiology]] | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 16:19, 6 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Earwax | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | Cerumen |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | Otolaryngology |
| Symptoms | Hearing loss, earache, tinnitus, itching, dizziness |
| Complications | Infection, ear canal blockage |
| Onset | |
| Duration | |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Overproduction, improper cleaning, narrow ear canal |
| Risks | Use of cotton swabs, hearing aids, earplugs |
| Diagnosis | Physical examination, otoscopy |
| Differential diagnosis | Otitis externa, foreign body in ear |
| Prevention | Avoiding cotton swabs, proper ear hygiene |
| Treatment | Ear drops, irrigation, manual removal |
| Medication | Cerumenolytics |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Common |
| Deaths | |
Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a natural substance produced by glands in the ear canal. It serves to protect, clean, and lubricate the ears. Despite its benefits, excessive or hardened earwax can lead to discomfort, hearing loss, tinnitus, and other problems.
Production and Function[edit]
Earwax is produced by ceruminous and sebaceous glands in the outer third of the ear canal. It is a mixture of skin cells, hair, and the secretions of these glands. The primary function of earwax is to protect the skin of the human ear canal, assist in cleaning and lubrication, and also provide some protection from bacteria, fungi, insects, and water.
Types of Earwax[edit]
There are two distinct genetically determined types of earwax: the wet type, which is primarily brown and sticky, and the dry type, which is gray and flaky. The type of earwax one has is determined by a single gene.
Problems Caused by Earwax[edit]
Excessive or impacted earwax can cause several problems, including discomfort, partial hearing loss, tinnitus, odor, cough, and vertigo. It can also create a blockage in the ear canal, which can lead to infection if not treated.
Treatment[edit]
Treatment for excessive or impacted earwax includes over-the-counter ear drops that soften the wax so it can be expelled from the ear, manual removal by a healthcare professional, or irrigation of the ear canal. It is generally not recommended to use cotton swabs or other objects to try to remove earwax, as this can push the wax further into the ear canal and cause impaction.
Gallery[edit]
-
Earwax -
Earwax -
World map of ABCC11 A Allele -
An ear-cleaner attending to a man's ear
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
<references />
