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 Diseases and Conditions
Earwax blockage
From MayoClinic.com
Special to CNN.com Introduction Earwax (cerumen) is part of your body's natural defenses. It protects your ear canal by trapping dirt and slowing the growth of bacteria. At times, however, too much earwax may accumulate and become too hard to wash away naturally, resulting in earwax blockage. When earwax blockage occurs, you may experience an earache and decreased hearing in the involved ear. It's not known why some people experience earwax blockage more than other people do and why earwax blockage often occurs in only one ear. If earwax blockage becomes a problem, you or your doctor can take steps to remove the wax safely. Causes The wax in your ear is secreted by glands in the skin that lines your ear canal. The wax and tiny hairs in this passage trap dust and other foreign particles that could damage deeper structures, such as your eardrum. In most people, a small amount of earwax regularly makes its way to the opening of the ear, where it's washed away or falls out as new wax is secreted to replace it. If you secrete an excessive amount of wax or if it isn't cleared effectively, it may build up and block your ear canal. When to seek medical advice There's no way to know if you have excessive earwax without having your doctor look into your ears. Having signs and symptoms such as earache or decreased hearing doesn't necessarily mean you have wax buildup. Even if you've had a past problem with earwax, you can't be sure that wax buildup is the cause of your current symptoms. It's possible you have other another medical condition involving your ears that may need attention. Asking your doctor to remove earwax may seem unnecessary, but your ear and eardrum are delicate and can be damaged easily by excess earwax. Seek medical advice instead of trying to remove hardened wax that resists your initial self-care measures. Also, don't consider removing earwax on your own with any device placed into your ear canal, especially if you have had a past ear surgery, have a hole (perforation) in your eardrum, or are having ear pain or drainage. Children usually have their ears checked as part of any medical examination. If necessary, a doctor can remove excess earwax from your child's ear during an office visit. Treatment Your doctor can remove excess wax using a small, curved instrument called a curette. Your doctor can also flush out the wax using a water pick or a rubber-bulb syringe filled with warm water. If earwax buildup is a recurring problem, your doctor may recommend that you use a wax-removal medication, such as carbamide peroxide (Debrox, Murine Ear Drops), every four to eight weeks as a preventive measure. Children with troublesome earwax buildup may need to use the medication more often, perhaps every two weeks. Self-care If your eardrum does not contain a tube or have a hole in it, these self-care measures may help you remove excess earwax that is blocking your ear canal:
You may need to repeat this wax-softening and irrigation procedure several times before the excess earwax falls out. However, the softening agents may only loosen the outer layers of the wax. If your symptoms don't improve after several treatments, see your doctor. Earwax removal kits available in stores also can be effective at removing wax buildup. If you're unsure which one is right for you, ask your doctor for advice on how to properly use other earwax-removal methods. Never attempt to dig out excessive or hardened earwax with items such as a paper clip, a cotton swab or a hairpin. You may push the wax farther into your ear and cause serious damage to the lining of your ear canal and even to your eardrum. August 17, 2005 |
