Ear Wax
Posted: Saturday, October 30, 2010
by John Laurusonis
Doctors Medical Center
When your ear produces excessive earwax (cerumen), it may block the external ear canal; this is what doctors refer to as a "cerumen impaction". Wax is produced by glands in the external ear canal to protect the canal leading from the eardrum to the outside. The amount of wax varies vary from person to person. Some people produce so little cerumen that it never accumulates, while others produce enough to block the canal every few months. If there is an impaction patients may suffer from decreased hearing, ear pain, stuffy feeling of ears, ringing in ears, or dizziness. The most common cause is overproduction of wax by glands in the external ear canal.
In order to prevent earwax build up you should avoid areas where the air is dusty and filled with debris. As mentioned earlier, exposure to debris can stimulate the overproduction of earwax. If you work in any environment with excessive dust or air debris, consider wearing earplugs. Ear plugs will decrease the amount of debris taken into the ear canal. One can attempt to prevent cerumen impaction by using monthly eardrops of glycerin which will soften the wax; this may reduce future buildup and blockage. Earwax can be removed, but stubborn cases require patience and time.
Leaving a buildup of earwax without proper treatment may cause a few complications. You may develop an ear infection along with the ear blockage. If continues to further ignore the wax build up for too long it may cause eardrum damage or perforation.
You may try to buy over-the-counter wax-softening drops as a first line treatment. Lie down with the affected ear toward the ceiling, pull the top of the ear gently up, outward, and back toward the back of the head. This opens the ear canal and gives more access for the softening drops. Use the eardrops as directed on package. Leave drops in ear for 20 minutes; continue to lie down, if possible, with the affected ear skyward. Sit up, leaning toward the affected side and use a soft rubber bulb syringe to irrigate the ear canal gently with plain warm water or warm water with 50% hydrogen peroxide. Repeat irrigation until the ear feels clear. If the ear does not clear, call your doctor so the wax can be removed properly and damage does not occur. DO NOT try to remove wax with a stick or cotton swab-- you may damage the eardrum and introduce bacteria causing an infection in the ear canal.
Caution: If you have a perforated eardrum, fever, bleeding, pain, or neck stiffness see your doctor, nearest urgent care center, or go to the nearest Emergency Room as soon as possible. For minor pain you may use non-prescription drugs such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or Advil. When in doubt see your MD.
John Drew Laurusonis Doctors Medical Center www.doctorsmedicalctr.com
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