Is your earwax attempting to communicate with you regarding your health? More than just the gross substance that comes out of your ears is earwax. Cerumen, as it is known in medicine, serves a function in your body. It guards against injury that might cause infection to the skin inside the ear canal. Additionally, it lubricates and aids in waterproofing the interior of your ear.
All of that is beneficial, but earwax also tells others things about you. The appearance, feel, and smell all reveal important information about what is occurring inside your body. What is earwax trying to tell you?
1. Wet, green earwax
One of two things is indicated by green, wet earwax:
You have been perspiring.
You’re infected in the ear.
Your earwax’s color and texture will change when you perspire because water will mix with it. The earwax changes when you have an ear infection because of the body’s inflammatory response to the invaders. The earwax and pus from the reaction may mix, which could explain the color difference.
2. Bad-smelling ear wax
Pay attention if your earwax smells bad; it most likely means you have a serious infection. Earwax can smell bad due to the tendency of anaerobic bacteria, which means the organism doesn’t need oxygen to survive.
A foul odor may also be a sign that an infection is harming the middle ear. You might notice that your balance is off and that the ear with the problem is making ringing or other phantom noises. I need to go to the doctor.
3. You may experience ear leakage
Although technically this isn’t earwax, it is simple to believe that is what is oozing out. Leaky ears are a sign of illness, particularly infection. Pus from ear infections may be the cause of your ears feeling moist. However, there are other options.
Cholesteatomas are a type of skin growth that can appear inside the ear canal in some people.
It resembles a cyst in appearance, but instead of growing outside the ear, it develops inside, allowing earwax and other debris to accumulate. The gunk may begin to overflow the canal and exit through the ear when it is full. Any ear drainage requires a trip to the doctor to determine the cause.
4. You Have Really Flaky Earwax
Fear not; flaky earwax is not a cause for alarm. However, it is a result of aging naturally. The glands that produce earwax also experience a slight drying out as people age. Your ears may consequently feel scratchy. That discomfort can be reduced while also softening the earwax with a few drops of mineral oil.
What if your ears are completely wax-free? Although it’s uncommon, it does occasionally happen. There is a hard plug where the earwax usually comes out, and the medical term for it is keratosis obturans. Although the cause of this is unknown, scientists do know that the plug is made of keratin, a protein found in skin cells.
You might experience ear pain and hearing issues. Let a doctor remove the plug; that’s all that needs to be done. Some patients have chronic conditions that necessitate ongoing medical attention.
