What is earwax — and should you get rid of it? - Henry C. Ou

Summary

Archaeologists discovered 5,000-year-old Sumerian toiletry kits, including earwax removal tools, highlighting the ancient practice of ear hygiene. Earwax, or cerumen, serves as a natural defense mechanism with antibacterial properties, lubricating the ear canal and trapping debris. It varies by individual and ancestry, with East Asians typically having drier wax. Self-cleaning can be harmful, potentially causing infections or eardrum damage. Instead, over-the-counter eardrops or professional cleaning is recommended, along with gentle external ear cleaning.

Takeaways

• 🧐 Earwax, or cerumen, is a mixture of dead skin cells, oily sweat from apocrine glands, and sebum found in the ear canal.
• 🐳 Other mammals also produce earwax; a blue whale was found with a 25 cm long earwax earplug.
• 🧬 A single gene variation determines the type of earwax a person has, which can be linked to ancestry.
• 🌏 Drier earwax is common in East Asians, while wetter earwax is more common in Africans and Europeans.
• 🕯️ Human earwax is not suitable for making candles, contrary to any old wives' tales.
• 🛡️ Earwax serves as a natural defense mechanism by lubricating the ear canal, trapping debris, and protecting against infections.
• 🔄 The ear has a self-cleaning process where skin cells migrate outwards about 100 micrometers per day, pushing earwax out.
• 🚫 Inserting items into the ear to remove earwax can be harmful, potentially pushing wax further in or causing injury.
• 🔥 Ear candling is not effective and can lead to injury or leaving debris in the ear.
• 💊 Over-the-counter eardrops can help soften earwax for easier removal, and healthcare providers have safe methods for clearing blockages.
• 🧹 Doctors recommend cleaning the outer ear with a damp cloth and taking breaks from earplugs and earbuds to prevent earwax buildup.

Q & A

What were the intriguing sets of artifacts found at the Sumerian burial site?

The intriguing sets of artifacts found at the Sumerian burial site were judged to be toiletry kits, which comprised pointed tools, tweezers, and ear scoops.

What is earwax technically called?

Earwax is technically called cerumen.

Where does earwax form in the human body?

Earwax forms in the outer ear canals of humans.

What is the function of the oily sweat inside our ears?

The oily sweat inside our ears does not function to cool us off. Instead, it comes from apocrine glands and is oilier, contributing to the formation of earwax.

How does earwax vary among individuals?

Earwax varies in odor, color, and consistency among individuals. A change in a single nucleotide on one gene affects how much fat the ear's apocrine sweat glands secrete, determining the type of earwax.

Is there a correlation between earwax type and ancestry?

Yes, the type of earwax someone has may track with their ancestry. For example, drier earwax is common among people with East Asian heritage, while people of African and European descent more often have wetter earwax.

What is the primary function of earwax in the ear?

Earwax acts as a lubricator to prevent ear dryness and itchiness, traps debris and microbes, and forms a physical barrier that protects the ear canal's skin.

How does the ear naturally get rid of earwax?

The ear naturally gets rid of earwax through a process where new skin cells form and grow at the center of the eardrum, pushing older ones toward the opening of the ear canal, eventually pushing the wax out.

What are the risks associated with inserting items into the ear to extract earwax?

Inserting items into the ear to extract earwax can push more wax back in, leave scratches in the ear canal's skin, disrupt its natural barrier against infections, and even perforate the eardrum, causing permanent damage and hearing loss.

What is ear candling and why is it not recommended?

Ear candling, or coning, involves a hollow candle lit on fire and placed over the ear canal, claimed to generate enough air current to pull earwax out. However, it's not recommended because researchers have found that the suction generated is minimal and what's visible at the end is likely debris from the candle itself, not extracted earwax. The practice can lead to injuries and leave debris in the ears.

What are safer methods to manage earwax buildup?

Safer methods to manage earwax buildup include using over-the-counter eardrops to help soften earwax so it can make its way out on its own, and health care providers have tried-and-true methods of gently clearing blockages.

What preventive measures can be taken to avoid earwax buildup?

To prevent earwax buildup, doctors recommend gently cleaning the outside of the ear canal with a damp cloth and giving your ears a break from earplugs and earbuds when possible.