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Ear Wax
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Healthy Living

Ear Wax

Sam  Views: 2917  2 min read

The yellow sticky substance secreted in outer part of ear canal called cerumen, is only partly a waxy substance, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

 The rest of so- called wax is an accumulation of some dust particles and lots of dead skin cells , which  accumulates in the passage as they are shed. The wax part, which holds waste together with one another originates from the ceruminous glands, that secrete lipids and other substances. Those glands are particularly sweat glands just under the skin in the outer part of the passage.The lipids not only lubricate skin of the canal but also help in maintaining acidic coating, which helps to kill bacteria and fungi which can cause infection and irritation.

 The body’s rest of the skin cells are removed naturally by brushing against clothing or water whereas the skin cells in the ear have to be caught by the wax and then removed. Cerumen combines with keratin from dead skin cells,sweat and sebum ( skin oil) to form ear wax.

 The normal working  of muscles in the head, particularly which move the jaw help the wax come outward along with the ear canal. As you chew or talk, the joint moves the skin of the ear canal which slowly push the wax outwards.                                                                              

Shrinkage of ceruminous glands commonly occurs in elderly,  secreting less lipids making it harder for waste to leave the ear. Warm olive or almond oil may be used to soften the excess wax accumulation. Furthermore, warm water irrigation could also be done.

 Cotton tipped swabs should not be used to clean the ears. They are not designed for ear canal use. They can compress wax further into the canal instead of evacuation of wax. Moreover, swabs can alsoscratch the delicate skin in the ear canal which may results in infection. Seek medical help if  compacted wax cannot be removed.

 

 

 

 


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Sam
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