Excessive ear wax is usually caused by an excess of earwax. The extra wax collects in the outer part of the ear canal, which eventually leads to blockage. Some people produce more ear wax than they need, while others have little or no earwax.
What are the Reasons of Excessive Ear Wax?
As mentioned above, excessive ear wax is usually caused by an excess of earwax. The excess wax can build up in the outer part of the ear canal. This blockage may cause itching and irritation, as well as an infection that may be accompanied by pain or discomfort. Sneak a peek at this website to get a full article on ear wax.
Other reasons are:
- Bony blockage: The outer part of the ear canal is a narrow space, and can become blocked by pieces of bone. This may be caused by trauma to the ear (such as from sudden impact), or from wear and tear over time.
- Precancerous cells: This condition occurs when skin-colored growths, called polyps, form in the ear canal.
- Fungal infection: This is caused by a fungus that may cause an earache or itching.
- Hair loss: If you have very fine hair on your outer part of the ear canal, it can be pulled out and caught in the ear canal. This can cause an accumulation of wax and lead to blockage.
- Moles: These are small, raised growths that may form in the outer part of the ear canal. They are often caused by a type of skin cancer called melanoma.
- Aphthous ulcers: These are small, painful sores that may form in the outer part of the ear canal. They usually occur after an infection or injury to the outer part of the ear canal.
- Tumors: Some tumors grow in the outer part of the ear canal. These may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). They can cause itching and discomfort, as well as bleeding from the ears.
- Tinnitus: This is a ringing, buzzing, or other noise in the ear. It may be caused by wax blocking the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of your throat.
- Aging: As you get older, there is a decrease in production of earwax. This causes an increase in wax buildup in the outer part of the ear canal.
Excessive Ear Wax can be Harmful?
If you have a chronic ear problem, such as an infection or inflammation, your doctor may recommend removing excess wax from the outer part of your ear canal. However, it is important to make sure that the removal procedure does not cause further harm. If excessive wax is removed without also addressing any underlying causes, it can lead to an ear infection.
If you have an earache or any other type of pain in your ears, make sure that the doctor also checks for possible causes such as an infection or excessive wax buildup.
What happens if Earwax is not cleaned?
If you do not remove the wax, it can cause an infection. This may be especially true if your earwax is so thick that it does not drain properly from the outer part of your ear canal.
You should also make sure that any underlying causes for excessive earwax are addressed. For example, if you have an ear infection or other condition that causes excessive earwax buildup, it is important to treat the underlying cause.
If your doctor recommends removing excess wax from your ears, make sure that the procedure does not also harm any of the surrounding tissues. This can lead to a condition called perforation, which is an injury to the ear drum.
Conclusion
Excessive ear wax is one of the most common health issues that can occur in adults. This type of health issue is also one of the most difficult to treat because it’s often hard to pinpoint what causes excessive ear wax, and it can take some time for doctors to determine a treatment plan. Try not to use dryer sheets as they contain chemicals that can cause irritation to the skin, ears and can be irritating to your throat.