Earwax impaction: What you should know – The New Times
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Do you wonder if it’s good to remove all the earwax from your ears? Can you tell when wax is piled up and needs removing? Maybe you are not even certain about the right equipment to use to wipe out ear wax.
Health experts explain in-depth about earwax impaction, its causes, symptoms, treatment, and so forth.
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The following article was suggested by one of our readers—if there’s an idea you would like us to cover, please submit it here.
Do you wonder if it’s good to remove all the earwax from your ears? Can you tell when wax is piled up and needs removing? Maybe you are not even certain about the right equipment to use to wipe out ear wax.
Health experts explain in-depth about earwax impaction, its causes, symptoms, treatment, and so forth.
According to Dr Aaron Gasore, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist at Rwamagana Provincial Hospital, earwax, also known by the medical term ‘cerumen’, is a hydrophobic protective covering in the ear canal. It acts as a shield to the skin of the external canal from water damage, infection, trauma, and foreign bodies.
Earwax impaction, he says, is when the earwax builds up enough to cause symptoms. Having too much ear wax can cause symptoms such as pain and impaired hearing. Young children and older adults are more likely to have earwax impaction than others.
Causes of earwax impaction
“Some health problems can affect the shape of the inside of the ear, and make it hard for wax to move out. For example, skin problems that cause skin cells to shed a lot can lead to wax build-up in the ears,” Gasore says.
He says that in some people, ear canals are narrower than in others. These people might be more likely to have earwax impaction.
The ENT expert says that as people get older, their earwax gets harder and thicker. This makes it difficult for the wax to move out of the ear as it should.
But also, poor cleaning habits such as using cotton swabs or other tools can actually push the wax deeper into the ear instead of getting it out. Overtime, this can cause earwax impaction.
Dr Joseph Ryarasa Nkurunziza, the Chairperson of Health Development Initiative Rwanda-HDI, says that excessive earwax can lead to hearing loss and loss of balance which are among the most common dangers.
How to tell you have earwax build up?
Dr Nkurunziza says that you can know that you have earwax build-up when you experience an earache or feel that your ear is full, and also tingling noises, dizziness and cough. The last two symptoms are linked to the throat and nose since these two body parts are linked to the ear.
“The inside of the ears do not usually need to be cleaned. Sticking anything into the ears can push the wax deeper and cause impaction. Ear candling— an alternative remedy that …….
Source: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/lifestyle/earwax-impaction-what-you-should-know
