5 Things Earwax Says About Your Health
Ear wax, it’s not talked about often, and honestly, it’s pretty gross to think about. However, your earwax is an accurate gauge for your health and you should pay close attention to it. We’ve all heard that analyzing the color and consistency of several bodily fluids will aid in catching potential health issues, but what about earwax? Read on for 5 things earwax says about your health.
Itchy ears are nothing to fret about. The issue here is that many people who are experiencing itchy ears. Use a Q-tip to find relief in those hard to reach ear canals. Unfortunately, this often causes trauma to the ear canal and can result in a ruptured eardrum or swollen canal.
Other common causes of itchy earwax are a bacterial or fungal infection, psoriasis, dermatitis, or allergies. Again, many patients will use something sharp or skinny to scratch the ear. Abrasions or punctures in the ear canal can create an inlet for bacteria resulting in an ear infection.3
Thick and Dark Earwax
Dryer, thicker, and darker earwax is a common sign of aging. There is nothing wrong with thicker earwax, it’s just a little more difficult to remove. Cotton swabs will push thicker and dryer earwax into the canal and can actually cause more harm than good. If you have thick earwax that’s making it hard to hear or feels full inside the ear, make an appointment for an earwax removal.
Earwax With a Strong Odor
If your earwax has a strong odor, it’s likely that there is damage to the middle part of your ear canal. Other signs of an ear injury include:
- Foul smelling ear drainage
- Issues with balance
- Ringing in your ears
- Clogged or blocked sensation
At this point, you will definitely need to see your doctor for proper treatment.
Watery earwax after a workout or exertion of energy is normal. However, if you notice it’s dripping onto your pillow at night or you find crusty earwax on your ears, then you could possibly have a ruptured eardrum. A ruptured eardrum means there is a hole or tear in the tissue that separates your middle ear, or ear canal, from the eardrum. A ruptured eardrum is dangerous and without treatment and proper care, can lead to hearing loss.
If it seems like you don’t have any earwax, it’s possible that you have an earwax blockage. The presence of some earwax is likely and more ideal than having none at all. Using cotton swabs or another slim object for removing earwax, is a common cause of an earwax blockage. It tends to do the opposite of what you’re trying to accomplish and pushes the earwax deeper into the ear canal.
Excessive earwax can also cause an earwax blockage. When the body produces too much earwax, it’s difficult to remove it effectively. This can cause the wax to harden in the ear, hence, you’re not seeing it when cleaning your ears. An earwax removal at your doctor is necessary in this situation.
Earwax, surprisingly, is a major factor to your health. If you’re experiencing itchy ears, an earwax blockage, or watery earwax, see your physician for an earwax removal and check up. At GMP Medical our family is dedicated to quality customer service and care. Give us a call today for our next checkup. (305) 823-2433
June 3, 2018 9:35 am
Categories: Family Health