Earwax, whether or not you think it’s yucky, is an important substance for the health of your ear. Not only does it lubricate the ear canal to keep it from getting dry and irritated, but it also traps debris and germs.
According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, “Ear wax only becomes a problem if it causes a hearing impairment or other ear-related symptoms. The accumulation of wax occurs for many different reasons, including the over- or under-production of its constituent components, a failure to self-clear because of slow skin migration, or mechanical issues such as the use of cotton buds or hearing aids.”
Did you know that the color of your earwax can actually indicate the health of your ear? We review what the color of your earwax means below.
White, Flaky Earwax
If you have white, flaky earwax, this is perfectly healthy. Surprisingly, it also may be an indicator you lack a body-odor-producing chemical.
Yellow, Sticky Earwax
Yellow, sticky earwax is also healthy but indicates you likely do have the body-odor-producing chemical and probably need to wear deodorant.
Orange or Light Brown Earwax
Although it may look somewhat alarming, orange or light brown earwax is also healthy; this color earwax just indicates the wax is older (and darker in color because it has trapped more debris), and it’s probably what you find in your outer ear canal and your ear bowl.
Dark Brown or Red Earwax
If your earwax is dark brown or red-tinged, this could be a sign of an injury within the ear. This could range from a minor scratch in the ear canal to a ruptured eardrum.
Black Earwax
Black earwax indicates a buildup, or impaction, of earwax or a foreign object in the ears. You can try to soften the wax with eardrops from Ray’s Pharmacy in Alexandria, but if this doesn’t help, see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) physician to have it professionally removed.
Runny or Cloudy Earwax
Earwax that is runny or cloudy is a sign of some type of ear infection. It’s important to see an expert ENT physician at Red River ENT Associates promptly to prevent damage to your hearing caused by the infection. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Red River ENT Associates today.
