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

TL;DR

Earwax, technically called cerumen, is a natural secretion that helps protect and lubricate the ear canal, while also acting as a barrier against infections. Attempts to remove earwax through cleaning tools or alternative methods can be harmful.

Transcript

Investigating a nearly 5,000-year-old Sumerian burial site, archaeologists came across intriguing sets of artifacts. They judged them to be toiletry kits comprising pointed tools, tweezers, and ear scoops. In fact, grooming paraphernalia, including earwax removal tools, have popped up in many different archaeological sites— and earwax evacuation re... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤵 Earwax, or cerumen, has been found in archaeological sites and serves as a grooming tool used by humans and other mammals.
• 🧑 The type of earwax one has can be determined by a single nucleotide change on a gene, which can track with a person's ancestry.
• 🧑‍🏭 Earwax acts as a lubricator, trapping debris and microbes, and contains proteins that fight bacterial infections.
• 🥹 Our ears have a natural process of self-cleaning, where new skin cells push old ones and the wax towards the opening of the ear canal.
• 😂 Attempting to remove earwax using tools like cotton swabs can lead to ear canal damage and should be avoided.
• 😂 Alternative practices like ear candling or coning are ineffective and can cause injuries or leave debris in the ears.
• 🔄 Over-the-counter eardrops can help soften earwax, and healthcare providers can safely remove blockages if necessary.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is earwax and how is it formed?

Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a mixture of dead skin cells, sweat, and sebum. It forms in our outer ear canals through a combination of skin cell sloughing and the mixture of oily sweat and sebum secreted by apocrine glands.

Q: Is earwax the same for everyone?

No, the type of earwax one has can vary based on genetics and ancestry. People with East Asian heritage often have drier earwax, while those of African and European descent tend to have wetter earwax.

Q: What purpose does earwax serve?

Earwax acts as a lubricator that prevents ear dryness and itchiness while trapping debris and microbes. It also forms a physical barrier that protects the ear canal's skin and contains proteins that combat bacterial infections.

Q: Can removing earwax at home cause harm?

Yes, attempting to remove earwax at home using tools like cotton swabs can push the wax deeper into the ear canal, potentially causing damage and disrupting the natural barrier against infections. It is best to avoid self-cleaning methods.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Earwax, or cerumen, is a mixture of dead skin cells, sweat, and sebum that forms in our outer ear canals, helping to keep our ears healthy and protect against infections.

• The type of earwax one has can vary based on genetics and ancestry, with different ethnic groups tending to have wetter or drier earwax.

• Attempting to remove earwax through self-cleaning methods or alternative practices like ear candling can lead to ear canal damage and should be avoided.