Accumulation of wax in the ears

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There is a lot of wax in the ears: reasons and cleaning recommendations

If a lot of wax accumulates in the ears, there are reasons for this. In most cases, this phenomenon is not an anomaly, but only indicates the active work of the sulfur glands.

Table of contents:

However, under certain conditions, such secretions can lead to blockage of the ear canal and a decrease in the quality of sound transmission.

Functions of sulfur and the mechanism of its formation

To understand why so much wax accumulates in the ears, we should consider the mechanism of its formation. Every person has a huge number of sulfur glands in their ears. Every day they produce a specific secretion, the total volume of which can exceed mg per month.

These glands are located in the front of the ear canal in the outer ear, so there is no point in trying to clean the farther part of the organ.

Sulfur has specific tasks. Their implementation allows you to protect your hearing from the negative effects of the environment, infections, debris and other influences. The functions of the sulfur glands include:

The secretions protect the ear canal from drying out and prevent dirt and dust from getting deep into the ear. In addition, the viscous secretion pushes foreign particles and harmful microorganisms out, ensuring the cleanliness and health of the organ.

Causes of accumulation of discharge and how to get rid of wax plug

To prevent disruption of the above functions and the formation of a plug, it is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of the external channel. Remove excess secretion weekly, otherwise its amount will exceed the permissible limit, which will lead to negative consequences.

The accumulation of old wax is the main factor causing the formation of hard wax plugs in the ears. The situation is aggravated by abundant pollution with dust and other solid particles. When they clump together, they form so-called plugs, which not only violate the hygiene of the organ, but also have unpleasant consequences.

Earwax accumulations can get deep into the ear canal and cause blockage. This is why people who neglect hygiene rules often suffer from hearing impairment. Sulfur plug interferes with the perception of sounds and partially muffles them. In addition, it can cause discomfort in the ear and put pressure on the eardrum.

To restore hearing and cleanliness in your ears, you need to get rid of the wax plug. Having understood for yourself why it is formed, it is important to prevent the situation from reoccurring and to promptly remove the contamination. Several techniques can be used to extract already lost secretions.

The simplest and most obvious is mechanical action. Since the plug is a solid buildup of wax, it can be removed using tweezers. You need to act extremely carefully so as not to damage the organ and not push the pieces even further. It is best if the procedure is performed by a doctor.

When removing at home, the collection should be visible in the ear. For convenience, the sink needs to be pulled back a little to straighten the channel. Next, the tip of the tweezers grabs the sulfur and carefully pulls it out. If you doubt that you can cope with this task, it is better not to risk it and seek help from an otolaryngologist.

You can get rid of ear plugs using hydrogen peroxide. You need to carefully drop a small amount (5-10 drops into each ear) into the ear and wait 5-10 minutes. Hissing means that the liquid is still working and corroding the secretions. Then you need to pour the brown liquid out of the ear and wipe it.

Tips for cleaning your ears

To prevent the accumulation of wax in the ears, it is necessary to clean it regularly. There are several recommendations regarding this process:

  • Cotton swabs are not the best hygiene tool. They are not sterile and can harm your ears. Naturally, hairpins and other traumatic objects should not be used for cleaning.
  • For greater effectiveness, cotton wool can be moistened with water or peroxide.
  • You can't put the stick deep. This can damage the eardrum or clog the narrowing canal in the ear.
  • The wax glands are located in the outer part of the ear, therefore, when cleaning there is no need to penetrate deep into the organ.
  • Additionally, it is necessary to clean the ear itself.

If you accidentally damage your ear while cleaning, you may need to see a doctor. If there is a wound, the risk of infection and the development of external otitis or otomycosis increases.

To prevent traffic jams, you can visit an ENT specialist from time to time for hygiene procedures.

As soon as you notice that a lot of wax has accumulated in your ears, you need to clean them. Regular and proper hygiene procedures will prevent contamination of the ear canal. At the same time, the hearing organs will be reliably protected from debris and infections.

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Earwax: functions, norm and pathology, changes in color, quantity, consistency

Earwax is a substance that accumulates in the ear canal. It consists of several components, the main of which is the liquid secretion of the cells lining it. Sulfur helps cleanse and disinfect the outer ear; normally, its evacuation occurs due to the beating of the cilia of the cells lining the auditory canal and the movement of certain bones.

Excess or lack of sulfur may indicate disturbances in the functioning of the body and improper hygiene. Earwax also moisturizes the thin skin of the ear canal, so patients experience serious discomfort with any problems.

Composition and functions of sulfur

The auditory canal is part of the outer ear, i.e. it is in direct contact with the environment. It is covered with thin skin, its thickness is 1-2 mm. It contains abundant sebaceous and sulfur glands. They secrete a liquid secretion. It mixes with dead skin cells to form earwax. Normally, it has a brown color, a paste-like consistency, and almost no odor.

Evacuation of wax occurs spontaneously; accumulations can be found at the entrance to the auditory canal. From there it is washed off with soapy water or removed with a dry cotton pad. No other hygiene procedures are normally required.

Sulfur helps cleanse the outer ear of various impurities. All small dust particles, fungal spores (including pathogenic ones), as well as bacteria and viruses enter the resulting lump and are excreted from the body. This self-cleaning of the canal prevents the development of colonies of pathogenic microorganisms on its skin, which, when the immune status is reduced, can cause inflammation.

Violations in sulfur evacuation

The most common cause of difficult transport is the constant presence of a foreign object in the ear. This could be a hearing aid, headphones or earplugs. The sulfur accumulates and thickens. When you try to remove it yourself, it is pushed even deeper. Water can cause it to swell and form a full-blown sulfur plug.

In this case, the following symptoms will be observed:

Special drops (A-Cerumen, Remo-Vax) or rinsing (for example, with hydrogen peroxide) will help to cope with the problem. It is not worth removing sulfur using improvised means - sticks, toothpicks. They injure the thin skin of the ear canal too easily.

Sometimes the problem of sulfur separation is associated with age-related changes in the skin of the canal. In case of periodic traffic jams, it is recommended to use drops for preventive purposes.

Causes of earwax hypersecretion, ways to eliminate them

Sometimes more wax is produced than necessary, causing it to accumulate in the ear canal. If the viscosity of the secretion is low, then it will constantly flow out, seriously disturbing the person. Otherwise, traffic jams will form. Typical causes of excessive sulfur formation include:

  1. Chronic dermatitis. The disease manifests itself in the form of red spots located in a specific place or throughout the body. Treatment depends on the cause (allergy or infection). It is possible to prescribe anti-inflammatory and antihistamine drugs. With the disease, there may be little or a lot of wax in the ears, and sometimes its consistency changes.
  2. Excessive amount of cholesterol in the blood. This condition does not have specific symptoms, but can manifest itself in pain in the legs with increased physical activity, yellowing of the skin. The basis of treatment is a special diet, and sometimes it may be necessary to take cholesterol-lowering drugs.
  3. Constantly wearing headphones or hearing aids. When an object is kept inside the ear canal all the time, it stimulates the glands located there. As a result, they separate much more secretion than is necessary.
  4. Staying and working in a very dusty area. In this case, dirt particles enter the ear and activate the production of wax. This situation is normal, it indicates good functioning of the glands.
  5. Stress. The American Association ASHA has published research that states that stressful life situations increase the activity of all glands. If a person tends to sweat before an important speech or report, the amount of earwax in his ear will also increase.

Insufficient secretion of sulfur

This phenomenon occurs with the following disorders and diseases:

  • Age. As we age, the secretion of the ear glands may gradually decrease. Elderly people in these cases complain of dryness and itching. It is quite difficult to restore the functions of the canal cells; usually you have to be content with maintenance therapy. Lorindem ointment has earned good reviews. It is placed in the ear canal and taken in courses.
  • Otosclerosis. In this case, sulfur almost completely ceases to be released. The disease often manifests itself asymmetrically, i.e. affects only one side. Alarming symptoms include noise and pain in the ears, decreased ability to understand speech, dizziness, dry skin of the auditory canal, and decreased sensitivity. In the early stages, physiotherapy and electrophoresis can help, but the main method of control is surgery.
  • Smoking. Quitting a bad habit is the key to restoring the function of the ear glands. Unfortunately, this is not always sufficient. It happens that patients produce little sulfur throughout their lives. Just as in the previous case, lorindem will help reduce unpleasant symptoms.
  • Impaired function of the glands of the auditory canal as a result of improper hygiene. Taking into account the patient’s young age and the absence of bad habits, the DiaDENS-PK electrical stimulator can help. It activates the restoration of damaged cells and tissues.

Change in color or consistency of sulfur

In some cases, the parameters of the ear secretion may change within the physiological norm. Sometimes this can be a diagnostic sign of an incipient disease. The most typical cases include:

Darkening of sulfur

It is sometimes associated with Randu-Osler syndrome. This is the name of a hereditary disease caused by disorders in the tissues of blood vessels. It is necessary to pay attention to the symptom if nosebleeds are added to it. The initially brown sulfur becomes progressively darker. Treatment is carried out by taking iron supplements, sometimes surgical correction is required.

Yellow sulfur

This color of earwax in the ears most likely indicates a purulent process. Moreover, we are talking about milky yellow contents, possibly with white clots. Associated symptoms may include high fever, swollen lymph nodes, and general weakness. After identifying the pathogen, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics or antiviral drugs.

Black sulfur

This will most likely indicate the presence of blood clots in it. A single turn of sulfur turning black due to contamination is not a cause for concern. Another common cause may be otomycosis. Spores of some pathogenic fungi stain sulfur black. In this case, the patient will be bothered by constant, increasing itching. Treatment is with antifungal drugs.

Grey colour

The cause is most likely dust getting into the ear canal. Sulfur often turns gray in residents of large cities or steppe areas with frequent winds. If there are no additional symptoms, there is nothing to worry about.

White sulfur

This is evidence that the body lacks certain microelements (in particular, iron or copper). If there are accompanying symptoms of hypovitaminosis, complex medications will help solve the problem. It is better to consult your doctor before using them.

Reduced viscosity

Constant separation of liquid wax from the ear may indicate an inflammatory process. Sometimes it is the result of an ear injury. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis after a detailed examination with an otoscope and a series of tests.

Dry sulfur

This is how dermatitis and skin diseases manifest themselves. Also, its consistency may be due to insufficient fat in the food. They are the basis of the secreted secret. Treatment will be based on a specific diet. Certain mutations occur frequently in some Asian populations. They lead to constant dry earwax. The probability of such a mutation in a European is less than 3%.

Important! Dark earwax is not always a sign of any disease. This often just depends on the degree of contamination. Sulfur can vary in color from sandy to dark brown. Such changes are within normal limits.

Unpleasant odor from the ear

For some people, earwax normally has a specific smell. This may be due to metabolic characteristics and hormonal changes. During adolescence or when menopause begins, the smell may intensify. Sometimes sulfur begins to smell when it stagnates in the canal, if for some reason its secretion is impaired. In this case, it is worth cleaning your ears from wax using special preparations.

You should consult a doctor if:

  1. Earwax smells fishy. This often indicates a staph infection.
  2. A putrid odor emanates from the ear and from the discharge. It is a clear sign of suppuration.

Sulfur plays an important role in the human body. Its normal separation helps clean the ear canal, protects against inflammation and allergies. This is especially important in childhood. After all, a child is more susceptible to otitis media than an adult, and endures them more severely.

Source: http://uhonos.ru/uho/simptomy-uha/sera/

Sulfur plug

Cerumen plug is a collection of earwax blocking the external auditory canal, which over time acquires a dense consistency. The wax plug becomes noticeable to the patient only when it completely blocks the ear canal. The signs that clinically manifest wax plug include: noise in the ear and congestion, decreased hearing, autophony, reflex reactions (dizziness, cough, nausea, headache). Sulfur plugs are diagnosed during otoscopy. The method by which the wax plug is removed is selected depending on its consistency and the integrity of the eardrum. It may involve rinsing the external auditory canal or dryly removing wax plugs using various instruments.

Sulfur plug

The cerumen plug consists entirely of earwax, which is a mixture of secretions from glands located in the skin of the external auditory canal. Superficial sebaceous glands produce sebum. The sulfur glands are located deeper and their secretion is milky in color. In addition, the skin of the ear canal contains apocrine sweat glands. In addition to glandular secretion, cerumen plug contains keratinized particles of the skin epithelium of the external auditory canal.

Earwax performs a protective function, protecting the ear canal from damage, drying out and maceration if water gets into it. The acidic environment of earwax has an adverse effect on bacteria and fungi that have entered the ear canal, thereby preventing the development of otitis externa. When chewing, talking, or yawning, earwax moves toward the opening of the external auditory canal. At the same time, dirt, dust particles and small foreign bodies are removed from the ear. The resulting wax plug disrupts the protective mechanisms implemented through earwax.

Reasons for the formation of sulfur plugs

In clinical otolaryngology, there are a number of reasons why wax plugs can form. One of them is the increased secretory activity of the sulfur glands, leading to the formation of such an amount of earwax that it does not have time to be removed from the ear canal and accumulates in it, turning into a cerumen plug. Hypersecretion of earwax can occur with dermatitis, eczema, chronic otitis media, increased cholesterol levels in the blood, and frequent and improper ear cleaning.

Earwax can be caused by difficulty removing earwax from the ear canal. A disruption of the cerumen evacuation mechanism, which results in the formation of a cerumen plug, is often observed with anatomical narrowness or tortuosity of the ear canal; when it narrows due to inflammatory changes; with partial or complete obstruction of the ear canal by a foreign body of the ear; with increased hair growth in the external auditory canal, which is observed in elderly patients; when wearing headphones or a hearing aid. Earwax often forms in people who work in conditions of high dust content: millers, miners, tobacco workers, etc. The constant moisture in the ear canal of divers and swimmers leads to the fact that even a small accumulation of sulfur in it swells and a sulfur plug is formed. .

Earwax can appear as a result of improper hygiene of the external auditory canal. There is a narrow isthmus between the outer membranous cartilaginous part of the auditory canal and its more internal bony part. Earwax is produced only in the membranous cartilage region, but can get into the bony part of the ear canal if the ears are not cleaned properly. It is difficult to remove earwax back through the isthmus. As a result, a sulfur plug occurs. Often, a cerumen plug is formed due to the regular pushing of cerumen beyond this isthmus and its compression at the eardrum, which occurs when an ear stick or other object is inserted too deeply while cleaning the ears.

Signs of wax plug

The sulfur plug gradually increases in size and acquires a harder consistency. But as long as the wax plug does not completely block the ear canal, the patient does not experience any changes in the ear. In terms of its consistency, sulfur plug can be paste-like, plasticine-like and hard.

Typically, wax plugs appear suddenly. This often happens after water gets into the ear. Upon contact with water, the cerumen plug rapidly increases in volume and completely obstructs the lumen of the ear canal. Typical signs indicating a wax plug appear: ear congestion, noise in the ear, decreased hearing (hearing loss). Earwax can manifest itself as autophony - the echo of one's own voice in the ear. If the sulfur plug puts pressure on the eardrum, reflex nausea, cough, headaches, and dizziness may occur. With prolonged compression of the eardrum by cerumen, inflammation of the eardrum (myringitis) and the middle ear cavity (otitis media) can develop, which is manifested by the appearance of pain.

Diagnosis of wax plug

The sulfur plug is detected by an otolaryngologist during otoscopy or microotoscopy. During the examination, using a button probe, it is determined what consistency the sulfur plug has. The eardrum is examined to exclude the presence of a perforation in it after a previous history of acute or chronic purulent otitis media or damage to the eardrum. Determining whether the integrity of the eardrum is compromised is critical to choosing the method by which the wax plug will be removed. Also, during otoscopy, cerumen plug is differentiated from epidermal plug, foreign body of the ear, ear tumor, cholesteatoma.

Treatment of wax plug

Independent attempts to remove wax plug using various available means are strictly prohibited. They can lead to injury to the skin of the external auditory canal, perforation of the eardrum, secondary infection with the development of otitis media or otomycosis. The wax plug must be removed by an otolaryngologist. The choice of method for removing wax plugs is based on otoscopy data.

Most often, wax plugs are removed from the ear by rinsing. However, this removal method cannot be used if the integrity of the eardrum is damaged, since in such cases fluid can enter the middle ear cavity and provoke an inflammatory reaction. Paste-like and plasticine-like wax plug can be removed by washing immediately after it is diagnosed. Removal of the wax plug by rinsing is done using a Janet syringe, into which 150 ml of furatsilin solution or sterile saline solution is taken. The liquid used for washing should be heated to a temperature of 37°C. This allows you to avoid the irritating effect of the procedure on the skin receptors of the ear canal and prevent reflex reactions (dizziness, nausea, headache).

Hard sulfur plug requires preliminary softening. It is carried out for several days before the prescribed rinsing. As a rule, the wax plug softens when 3% hydrogen peroxide heated to a temperature of 37°C is instilled into the ear. The instillation procedure is carried out 3 times a day. In this case, the patient who has a cerumen plug is warned that during the period of instillation of peroxide, worsening of congestion in the ear and increased hearing loss may occur. This is due to the fact that the cerumen plug swells under the influence of the instilled solution and obstructs the ear canal even more tightly.

In cases where the wax plug cannot be removed by rinsing, so-called dry instrumental removal is used. Similar to the removal of a foreign body in the ear, it is carried out using special instruments: an ear hook, ear forceps or a spoon. To avoid damage to the ear canal and eardrum, the wax plug must be removed from the ear under mandatory visual control. After the cerumen plug has been removed, turunda with boric alcohol is injected into the ear for several hours to prevent infection.

Prevention of wax plug formation

Since wax plugs often form due to improper ear cleaning, the basis for its prevention is to familiarize patients with the basic principles of ear hygiene. Earwax removal should only be done from the surface of the auricle and around the opening of the ear canal. The introduction of ear sticks into the ear canal causes, at a minimum, its compaction, which disrupts the natural mechanism of cleansing the ear, resulting in the appearance of a cerumen plug. If the patient believes that there is an accumulation of earwax in his ear canal and fears that a cerumen plug will soon appear, then he should contact an otolaryngologist. The doctor will examine the external auditory canal and, if excessive accumulation of earwax is detected in it, will carry out professional cleaning. Periodic professional ear hygiene will help avoid the formation of wax plugs for people with increased hair growth in the ear canal and owners of hearing aids.

Earwax also occurs due to overproduction of earwax. Prevention of increased secretion of sulfur involves timely treatment of inflammatory diseases, eczema and dermatitis, and control of blood cholesterol levels.

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Earwax in the ear: symptoms, removal at home

Ear wax is a fairly common situation. For a long time, until this conglomerate, which consists of the secretion of the ear glands, does not interfere with the passage of sound, a person does not even know about its existence. A person begins to notice the presence of a plug after the accumulation of sulfur increases and begins to block the passage for sounds and air, or when water gets into the ear and provokes swelling of the conglomerate. As a result, a person begins to notice a deterioration in hearing in one ear, feels stuffy, the patient’s own voice begins to sound “like coming out of a barrel,” and nausea and dizziness may also appear.

In this case, trying to clean the ear with dense instruments is a pretty bad idea; in this way, you can only push the conglomerate deeper into the ear canal, where the diameter is even narrower. At home, wax plugs in the ear can only be removed by dissolving them with 3% hydrogen peroxide or other similar means. If a plug has formed in a child, it is better not to take risks and not try to deal with it on your own; you need to visit an otolaryngologist, since the reasons for the formation of such accumulations of sulfur in childhood are significantly different; otitis or even perforation of the eardrum can be masked under a conglomerate of sulfur.

After washing out the conglomerate with a warm solution of dioxidin, furatsilin, sodium chloride or, if washing is done at home, with boiled warm water, the hearing does not immediately return to normal. After such a procedure, you will feel a temporary feeling of congestion, which gradually goes away.

Ear structure

The external auditory canal is a canal that conducts sounds from the outside to the area of ​​the eardrum. The initial section of the passage is framed by the ear cartilage, which acts as a locator, collecting and conducting sound waves. Closer to the eardrum, the auditory canal is located in the thickness of the temporal bone, which is why this area is called bony. Here, sound vibrations are transmitted to the eardrum, which also begins to vibrate - vibration is transmitted to the bones, which, when swayed, set in motion a special fluid located in the inner ear, namely the “cochlea”.

Considering the fact that the main part of the ear is located in the cranial cavity in close proximity to the brain and, in fact, is an almost open structure (only the eardrum fences it off from the external environment), the body tries to protect this channel as much as possible from the penetration of microorganisms. For these purposes, in addition to the sweat and sebaceous glands, there are also special sulfur glands; there are about a piece of them in each ear. The secretion of these glands is quite viscous and ensures the adhesion of microorganisms, accidentally flying insects and dust. After potentially dangerous substances are immobilized, earwax treats them with special antimicrobial substances, after which the sulfur with microorganisms is gradually removed from the ear canal during jaw movements (when talking, chewing food).

Sulfur glands have the same feature as sebaceous glands: if you constantly cleanse the skin of such secretions, the body will send an impulse to the nervous system that the substance is not enough, which provokes even greater secretion of the substance. Normally, in a month, the sulfur glands produce about a mg of a substance that is removed on its own: a person just needs to periodically wash his ears and wipe them with a napkin.

Composition of earwax

Before we move on to explaining the process of removing wax, you need to learn about some of the features of this secret. One of them is the composition, sulfur consists of:

hyaluronic acid (a substance that can attract and retain water);

desquamated skin cells;

fats, mainly cholesterol;

lysozyme and immunoglobulins - structures that protect the body from bacteria and viruses.

After puberty occurs, differences appear in the secretion of the sulfur glands in women and men. In women, the secretion of the sulfur gland has a more acidic pH. It is also worth noting that the secret differs depending on the nationality of the person.

Reasons for the formation of sulfur plugs

It is not enough to simply clean the wax plug; if the provoking factors are not eliminated, the plugs will begin to form again, which will significantly affect the quality of life. Thus, the following factors provoke the compaction of sulfur and the formation of conglomerates in the ear canal:

Poor ear hygiene . This cause is the most common, especially in children. Improper hygiene means:

You need to clean your ears no more than twice a week and you need to do this by blotting your ear, which has been washed with water, with a towel or clean napkin;

pushing wax further along the ear canal with pins, rods, matches, cotton swabs;

Frequent irritation of the skin of the ear canal with hard improvised means or cotton swabs provokes increased sulfur formation.

Genetic predisposition . May be due to one of the following factors:

a more viscous secretion of the sulfur glands can be inherited, accordingly, this feature provokes an acceleration of the process of blockage of the ear canal;

genetically expressed excessive tortuosity or narrowness of the ear canal is one of the reasons for the accumulation of sulfur;

the abundance of hair in the ear canal does not always indicate the development of atherosclerosis; sometimes this feature is hereditary;

if sulfur has a normal consistency, but is secreted in increased quantities, this feature can also cause the secretion to be compressed into conglomerates.

Frequent entry of water into the ears or high humidity provokes swelling of the volume of wax that was prepared by the body to be discharged out. If this is indeed the case, you need to get rid of the conglomerate in the ear canal as quickly as possible, since in such cases conditions are created between the eardrum and the plug for the proliferation of microorganisms that have entered the ear canal with water. The antimicrobial molecules contained in sulfur are not able to resist this process.

Being in an area with frequent changes in atmospheric pressure also contributes to the formation of traffic jams. This is due to vibrations of the eardrum, which periodically either retracts inward (as pressure decreases) or bulges outward (as pressure increases), which contributes to the compaction of sulfur.

Elderly age . In this case, sulfur plugs are formed due to the combined influence of 3 reasons:

more viscous secretion;

hair growth in the ear canal;

deterioration of ear hygiene.

Frequent inflammatory pathologies of the ears , which provoke changes in the pH and viscosity of sulfur, are the second main reason for the formation of cerumen plugs in children. It is for these reasons that you should not try to remove the cork at home, because a serious pathology may be hidden under the cork.

Working in dusty industrial conditions . Sulfur is a viscous substance, so dust particles easily stick to it, forming a dense conglomerate. In addition, when sulfur becomes covered with dust too quickly, the body reacts with increased secretion, which only further increases the blockage.

Skin diseases (dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema) that affect the cartilaginous part of the ear canal and the area of ​​the ear cartilage and complicate the removal of wax.

Increased blood cholesterol levels. At the same time, it provokes both excess hair growth and an increase in the volume of sulfur produced.

The use of headphones and frequent conversations on the phone - in such cases, a person deliberately disconnects the auricle from the sound conversion process, and such devices also increase humidity in the ear canal.

Types of sulfur plugs

Conglomerates can be:

Epidermal. A special phenomenon that has no explanation. This plug consists of sulfur and particles of the epidermis, has a gray color, stony density and is often the cause of the development of inflammation of the inner ear. Experts believe that such formations form in people with congenital syphilis or in the presence of other general biological changes in the body (deformations of teeth, nails). Quite often, such formations form on both sides and are capable of growing towards the eardrum.

Solid - practically do not contain water, and the color can vary from black to dark brown.

Pasty - dark or light yellow, soft.

When an ENT examines the ear, they can assess what kind of blockage is present. Based on the inspection data, a decision can be made on how to remove the conglomerate, dry or by washing.

How does sulfur plug appear?

Signs of a wax plug in the ear usually do not appear until the conglomerate blocks the ear canal. Symptoms usually appear after washing your hair or bathing, when water enters the ear canal and causes wax to swell. This:

feeling of stuffiness in the ear;

significant decrease or loss of hearing in one ear;

a person begins to hear the echo of his own voice in his ear;

obsessive desire to remove a foreign body from the ear canal.

Symptoms of a condition in which cerumen is located directly next to the eardrum and puts pressure on it are:

nausea (like motion sickness in transport);

Heart failure can also develop, since the work of the heart reflexively communicates with the nerve endings that innervate the ear.

If the accumulation of wax is observed for a long time and during this time conditions are created in the ear for the development of microorganisms, inflammation of the middle ear develops, which is manifested by pain, a feeling of “gurgling” or “transfusion”, the appearance of discharge (in some cases purulent) and an increase in temperature.

If all the symptoms indicate that the child has cerumen, what to do? The only possible solution is a visit to an ENT specialist, fortunately today you can not sit in line all day, but make an appointment. The otolaryngologist will conduct a diagnosis, competently and quickly remove the formation, then re-examine the ear for the presence of otitis and, if necessary, prescribe the necessary treatment. It must be remembered that otitis media is a pathology that is dangerous for its complications, especially those that can develop in the skull. Therefore, self-medication for such pathology, especially in children, is unacceptable.

Diagnostics

In order to determine the presence of a plug in the ear of a child or adult, complex diagnostic measures are not required. An experienced otolaryngologist is able to suspect such a diagnosis only from the complaints themselves, and then confirm the presence of a conglomerate by otoscopy. This is an examination of the ear canal using a special light device that does not touch the ear or the funnel. If the doctor needs to examine the ear before removing the wax, he may enter the ear canal using a special button probe.

Other research methods (X-ray, ultrasound) will not help detect this pathology.

Treatment

In order to eliminate the conglomerate that was formed through the “efforts” of the sulfur glands, the doctor can use two methods of elimination - dry or wet.

This method is used to wash the sulfur plug. This method is painless, but rather unpleasant. Its essence consists of the following actions:

the patient sits down on a chair or couch and turns to the doctor with the sore ear;

an oilcloth is laid on the shoulder, on which a special metal kidney-shaped tray is installed;

the doctor fills a large syringe (Zhanet) with a warm solution, a syringe without a needle;

inserts the tip of the syringe into the ear canal and injects a stream of solution along the upper wall of the canal.

In some cases, this procedure allows you to immediately get rid of the accumulation of sulfur; sometimes you need to repeat it two or three times. Between such procedures, the otolaryngologist may recommend that the patient drop drops into the ear:

Homemade drops or ordered from prescription pharmacies, which consist of 1 g of soda, which is mixed with 20 ml of boiled water and 20 ml of glycerin.

A-Cerumen: 1 ml twice a day in each ear, 1 bottle is required for 1 instillation. A-Cerumen is not recommended for children under 2.5 years of age.

3% hydrogen peroxide, instill 2-3 drops 3-4 times a day. The solution should remain in the ear canal for about 2-3 minutes, after which it is drained.

In some cases, the ENT specialist has to remove the sulfur conglomerate. This manipulation is performed in the presence of dry formations under visual control. The doctor inserts a special ear hook into the ear canal, with the help of which the conglomerate is pulled out piece by piece.

What you can do at home

You can try to get rid of wax at home in cases where:

body temperature is normal;

We are talking about an adult;

the ear is stuffy and doesn’t hurt, but the stuffiness appeared after water procedures;

When you press the tragus (cartilage of the auricle) that sticks out closer to the face, there is no pain.

For these purposes you can:

drip the ear with a solution of soda, A-Cerumen, peroxide for 1-2 days, as described above;

find a ballpoint pen from which you can remove the refill and make a tube;

get into the bath;

adjust the water temperature to 37 degrees and apply low pressure;

unscrew the shower head and attach a homemade tube to its place;

carefully, tilting your head towards the damaged ear, pour water into it for 3 minutes, holding the shower with one hand and the tube with the other, while the tube should not be tightly attached to the ear canal;

during this procedure there should be no pain, you can also observe how the plug comes out, you can speed up the process of the conglomerate coming out by prying it with the tip of your little finger;

even if the plug does not come out immediately, you should not repeat the procedure; it is better to re-drop 3% hydrogen peroxide into your ear;

if the plug comes out, it is necessary to instill in the ear Okomistin, Dioxidin from an ampoule, Ciprofloxacin or another anesthetic.

You can also buy a solution of furatsilin or make it yourself from tablets (you can use a physiological solution of sodium chloride, first draw it into a syringe No. 14, then heat the bulb in warm water to a temperature of 37 degrees and rinse the ear with a gentle stream). In this case, the second hand should pull the auricle up and back, so that the stroke is smooth, the stream should not be strong.

Special phytosuppositories are officially approved for removing traffic jams at home and must be used with an assistant. They are made in the form of hollow tubes, on the inside of which essential oils are applied. One part of the tube has a tip with foil: it is inserted into the ear canal, after which the upper section of the phytocandle is set on fire. Such a candle must be removed and the flame extinguished until the special mark on the body is reached. The effectiveness of this technique is 30-40%. The essence of the procedure is to create negative pressure in the cavity of the tube during combustion, which leads to the drawing out of sulfur.

You should not continue performing manipulations at home if the first attempts were unsuccessful or minimal pain was present. Otolaryngologists are often seen in private clinics and centers, so getting to such a specialist is much easier, even without a referral.

Preventing traffic jams

Take the following measures:

You should not clean the ear canal more than once every 7-10 days. This should be done with a cotton swab with a special limiter, which is only slightly inserted into the ear canal and rotates to the sides, and not back and forth.

Control your blood cholesterol levels.

People who work in dusty environments should take measures to protect their ears.

Those who are in conditions of high humidity periodically (no more than once a month), use headphones, hearing aids, or are forced to dive into water, should use A-Cerumen drops or their analogues.

It is necessary to promptly treat psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema by qualified dermatologists.

Comments

What a good wife you have) By the way, thanks for the advice, I’ll have to read about them... I thought that the only way to solve this problem was with an ENT specialist or with peroxide.

When I had an ear plug, my wife bought me stopotit drops. the plug came out as liquid sulfur.

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Source: http://doctoroff.ru/sernaya-probka-v-uhe

Where does earwax come from and how to get rid of it?

What causes earwax and why is it dangerous to remove it?

Have you ever thought about why a person needs the wax that appears in the ears?

The answer is that the formation of earwax in the outer part of the ear (in the external auditory canal) is provided for by nature itself and is an absolutely normal process characteristic of any healthy person.

Quite often you can hear the opinion that earwax is dirt. Let's dispel this misconception. In fact, this is a substance that is specially produced by nature with the help of special glands in order to create a so-called “sticky” cordon at the entrance to the ear and prevent bacteria, microorganisms, small particles and insects from entering the ear.

However, it is still worth closely monitoring the amount of wax that forms in the ears, since its excessive production can lead to excessive accumulation and the formation of so-called wax plugs, which clog the ear canal. The blockage can result in hearing loss, pain and itching in the ear canal.

It is important not to ignore existing mild symptoms so as not to miss the moment, and to visit an otolaryngologist at least once a year for preventive purposes.

What is wax made of and where does it come from in the ears?

In the outer parts of the ear there are special glands responsible for the production of sulfur secretion, which are called sulfur glands. Each ear contains almost 2 thousand of these glands.

Every month the body produces about 15 milligrams of sulfur, but there are no exact norms; the amount may depend on the individual and physiological characteristics of each individual person.

The composition of ear wax, of course, is not sulfur - this is a conventional name. In fact, it consists of squalene, lanosterol, cholesterol, as well as an alcohol component, antibacterial substances and fatty acids.

In addition, in the secretion one can detect particles of dead skin cells, hairs of the ear canal, and also sebum.

As we can see, nature has provided the secretion of earwax to perform many functions:

As we have already said, different people have different sulfur composition, depending on hereditary predisposition and even place of residence.

So, in particular, residents of Asian countries generally produce drier earwax, but residents of Africa and the European continent have more moist and liquid sulfur secretions, which is explained by different contents of fatty elements.

The normal color of sulfur is yellowish-brown. If the color turns pure brown, this indicates that quite a lot of impurities consisting of dirt and dust have accumulated in it. The black color of sulfur is an alarm signal - this may indicate that it contains pathogenic bacteria, other microorganisms, or even blood.

Nature has arranged it in such a way that wax is removed from the ear by itself, with the movement of the lower jaw, which occurs during speech, when eating, coughing, etc. - the wax moves outward along the ear canal, which has a slightly downward slope.

However, if there is an excess of secretion, it is sometimes necessary to perform special hygiene procedures.

When cleaning your ears at home, you should not overdo it, since with sudden movements or too deep insertion of the ear stick, there is a danger that instead of removing the wax out, it is, on the contrary, driven deep inside, so that you can damage the eardrum and even partially lose your hearing.

Is it possible to clean your ears and how to do it correctly?

Nature has provided that our ears can be freed from wax without outside intervention. During the process of self-cleaning, excess sulfur goes into the ear, that is, out, and the person simply has to rinse it with his finger when washing. However, quite often a person is faced with hypersecretion of earwax and its excessive formation. The reasons may be individual or hereditary characteristics.

In addition, the formation of excess sulfur can be caused by too frequent use of in-ear headphones, headsets, earplugs and other similar foreign objects, prolonged exposure to a very dusty room, and most often, the abuse of using cotton swabs or any other objects.

If there is excess wax production, it is of course important to clean your ears regularly to remove the excess, because... otherwise, mechanical obstacles and pressure will be created in the ear canal.

However, doctors do not recommend using cotton swabs, which are sold in abundance in cosmetics stores. It is much more correct and safer to use special cotton wool, gauze pads or tampons.

If too much wax forms in the baby's ears, you can use special tampons to clean them, which have a limiter that will not allow you to insert the stick too deeply. It would also be more correct to wrap the cotton tip with a small piece of cloth so that the cotton wool, if it accidentally comes off, does not get stuck in the baby’s ear.

What to do if your ear is clogged with wax?

If you still enjoy the process of picking your ear too much with a cotton swab, or even matches and other objects that come to hand, sooner or later, to your surprise, you will have wax plugs. Symptoms:

- pain, discomfort, itching in the ear;

The best way to remove wax in the ear is to rinse it. However, to do this, it is advisable to first soften the sulfur compacted with cotton swabs.

To carry out the cleaning procedure correctly and without loss, you need to do the following:

— the procedure is done while sitting with your head bowed;

- pull the ear back and down so that the medical staff can better see the ear canal;

— drip 3-5 drops of one of the following products into the ear: hydrogen peroxide, glycerin, Vaseline oil. Then you need to sit for 2-3 minutes, allowing the drug to soften the plug, then tilt your head, allowing the excess liquid to pour out.

Quite often, in order to completely soften the cork, it is necessary to perform the softening procedure 3 times a day until it softens and swells. After which the wax will come out of the ear on its own.

How can you wash your ears at home?

To wash the ears, pharmacies sell ready-made solutions, as well as hygiene preparations, for example Remo-Vax. However, it is permissible to rinse them simply with warm boiled water, using a children's enema or a special ear syringe.

If, after completing all the indicated manipulations, the plug nevertheless remains dense and hard, it will be better if you stop trying to self-medicate and find time to visit an otolaryngologist.

It’s even better not to “play doctor” if you notice excess earwax in your child’s ears. Unfortunately, there are quite frequent cases when mothers try to pull out a plug that has formed from a baby’s ear using eyebrow tweezers. The result, most often, is that the plug is pushed deeper, after which the earwax begins to put pressure on the eardrum, bringing pain and suffering to the child.

Make time to see an ENT specialist (otolaryngologist). He knows exactly how to properly remove earwax without harming the child and monitoring the result. He or she may also recommend earwax softeners, which will make the plug easier to remove.

As you can see, the accumulation of wax secretions in the ears is a normal physiological process. We hope that everyone, after reading this article, learned how to properly take care of their ears, how to clean them of wax on their own, at home.

In case of discomfort, do not hesitate to visit a specialist so that he can recognize and correct the problem in time, and the health of your ears is not at risk.

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Source: http://readme.group/beatiful/otkuda-beretsya-sera-v-ushah-i-kak-ot-nee-izbavitsya.phtml

Wax plug in ears

Earwax is a large accumulation of ear secretions that leads to blockage of the ear canals. Earwax is synthesized by more than 2,000 ear glands, which produce mg of wax per month. In its composition one can find lipids, desquamated epithelium, proteins, enzymes, glycopeptides, immunoglobulins, cholesterol and other organic substances. In a healthy person, sulfur is independently removed due to movements of the temporomandibular joint when talking or chewing. There is no need to clean it by penetrating deeply into the ear canal; just wipe the area of ​​the auricle above the tragus with a towel after a shower. But in some cases, pieces of sulfur accumulate in the ear canal, block it, and form a plug. The chemical composition of sulfur depends on the gender and nationality of a person. The reaction of women's sulfur is more acidic, the sulfur of Asian peoples is drier and contains more proteins. Caucasians and African Americans have a soft sulfur structure with a high fat content. The color of sulfur can be from yellow to black, and the consistency also varies: from soft to rocky.

Earwax protects the eardrum from water, dust and small particles; the fats in its composition prevent the ear from getting wet and do not allow pathogenic fungal microflora to multiply, thereby performing an antiseptic function.

Prevention of wax plug formation

When it comes to preventing the formation of wax plugs in the ears, the cause of its appearance should be taken into account, although the influence is not always possible. First of all, it is necessary to properly clean the ear - clean only the auricles, do not use cotton swabs deep inside the ear canal. If you need to clean the ear canal a little, then gently clean it with a stick, rotating it left and right. Under no circumstances should you move the cotton swab back and forth too vigorously, as this can damage your eardrum.

You can clean your ears, the area behind your ear, and your pinna every day. But there is no need to try to clean the ear canal “to the holes”; it should be cleaned once every seven to ten days.

Since sulfur contains cholesterol and its level in sulfur is determined by its concentration in a person’s blood, people with high cholesterol levels should adjust their diet by reducing the consumption of fatty foods and take appropriate medications.

For preventive purposes, it is recommended to instill A-Cerumen twice a week for people who spend a lot of time in dusty places (workers of tobacco factories and mills, miners) or in rooms with high humidity (water sports athletes), people who use hearing aids or headphones.

Timely treatment of chronic otitis media, eczema, and dermatitis also prevents the formation of wax plugs in the ears.

If the appearance of dry wax plugs becomes a frequent occurrence, you should think about ensuring normal air humidity. Using an air humidity measuring device (hygrometer), you need to determine the air humidity. In the case when the humidity is below 50-70%, it is necessary to purchase an air humidifier, regularly wet clean the room and ventilate the apartment.

Reasons for the formation of sulfur plugs

Since the appearance of wax plugs in the ear is a common occurrence and there is a significant percentage of relapses, it is important to know the reasons for its occurrence so as not to encounter this problem in the future. The most common cause of earwax in the ear is improper cleaning of the auricle. Many people, using cotton swabs, push and compact the earwax further, which provokes the formation of a plug. You can clean wax only at the entrance to the ear canal, otherwise inserting sticks and turundas can damage the skin, injure the eardrum, and disrupt the natural process of self-cleaning.

Due to the overactive work of the sulfur glands, too much wax can be produced, which provokes the appearance of wax plugs in the ears. The auricle does not have time to clean itself, and wax quickly accumulates. Increased secretion of the sebaceous glands may be a consequence of high cholesterol levels in the blood. Hypersecretion can also be caused by diseases such as eczema, dermatitis, chronic otitis media and external otitis.

Large amounts of wax can be produced as a result of overzealous ear care. Of course, you need to wash your ears, but an excessive desire for cleanliness, when the patient cleans his ears with cotton swabs every day until they shine, leads to skin irritation and increased sulfur formation. It has the opposite effect.

If the anatomical ear canal is tortuous and narrow, then accumulation and compaction of wax into the ear plug is also possible. This is not a pathology when the ears are prone to the accumulation of wax, however, more attention should be paid to the hygiene of such ears. In some patients, earwax has increased viscosity. Rapid hair growth in the ear canal, headphones, hearing aids, very dusty conditions, and dry indoor air can also cause wax plugs in the ears.

Symptoms of wax plug

Most often, the patient does not even realize that there are wax plugs in the ears, because they do not present any particular discomfort. And only at a doctor’s appointment is the presence of this problem discovered. However, symptoms such as tinnitus, autophony (resonance of one's own voice), a feeling of fullness and finally severe hearing loss signal the formation of earwax. Often, when water gets into the ear, the wax mass swells and completely blocks the ear canal. In cases where the formed plug is located near the eardrum, irritation of the nerve endings occurs and the patient may feel nausea, dizziness and headache. A cough and cardiac dysfunction may appear. Due to prolonged irritation of the eardrum, inflammatory processes in the middle ear may develop.

Diagnosis of wax plug

Diagnosing a wax plug is very simple: after specific complaints, an otolaryngologist will see pieces of earwax through a visual examination using an otoscope or an ear specula. If in doubt, a button probe with a rounded end will help make an accurate diagnosis and determine the consistency of the plug. At first it may be soft, even loose, but over time it will harden to a rocky state.

Treatment of wax plug

The method of treating earwax is removal using various methods. The simplest and most commonly used method is to rinse the ear with a Janet syringe. In this case, the doctor fills the syringe with warm water (100 ml) and washes out the accumulated sulfur masses with a stream of water along the wall of the ear canal. The water pressure should not be strong, otherwise you can injure your eardrum. Water from the ear flows into a tray held by the patient. The washing procedure is safe and painless. If the plug is old and dense, at least three procedures will be needed to get rid of the sulfur masses. If the plug is not washed out, the doctor prescribes instillation of softening drops into the sore ear for several days. Typically, hydrogen peroxide or a soda-glycerin solution is used for this (per 10 ml of water, 10 ml of glycerin and 1/2 g of soda). Regular instillation can soften the dense mass. After instillation, hearing may deteriorate, because the plug swells and closes the lumen of the ear canal. Repeated washing should give a positive result, but if the plug is not soaked, then A-Cerumen is used 20 minutes before washing.

This drug allows you to dissolve a dense plug or is used for sick children when they behave restlessly and restlessly, because the procedure of rinsing the ears is extremely difficult. The medicine is instilled for 3-5 days, twice a day. In this case, the sulfur masses dissolve and flow out. After the procedure, the ear is washed with warm saline or water. A-Cerumen is very easy to use - just open the top of the bottle and drop the drops into your ear. In this case, you need to lie down and put your head on your healthy ear. This drug has contraindications: if the eardrum is perforated or shunted (sometimes a year is not enough for the eardrum to completely heal), individual intolerance and the impossibility of use for treating children under 2.5 years of age. Although reviews of A-Cerumene are positive, it cannot be called a panacea for the treatment of wax plugs in the ears. Complete dissolution of sulfur masses is observed only in 75% of patients; the rest are treated with a rinsing procedure. But still, after A-Cerumen, even old sulfur plugs soften.

After removing the wax, the doctor re-examines the ear for the presence of otitis media, a condition of the eardrum. If you need to rinse the ear again, then instead of water, rinse with an antiseptic solution.

Sometimes the doctor may use the dry method to remove wax plugs in the ears if the patient is contraindicated from getting fluid into the ear. This may happen after suffering from perforated otitis media. There may even be hearing loss. In this case, the doctor will carefully remove the accumulated wax using an ear probe. Ear rinsing can be performed by a doctor of any specialization, but removing the plug using the dry method can only be entrusted to an otolaryngologist. You cannot mechanically remove or pull out dry wax plugs on your own. It can be strongly attached and thus the eardrum can be injured. It is especially important not to self-medicate in children. If you visually detect wax plugs in children, you should not postpone a visit to the otolaryngologist. Timely treatment is harmless and painless and will quickly lead to effective results.

Source: http://www.mosmedportal.ru/disease/sernaya-probka/