What's the deal with oily earwax?
Recently, discussions about "greasy earwax" have become increasingly popular on social media, with many netizens sharing their confusion and experiences. So, what exactly is oily earwax? Is it normal or a health hazard? This article will reveal the mystery of oily earwax for you through structured data and popular explanations.
1. What is oily earwax?
Oily earwax, medically known as "wet cerumen", is a yellow or brown sticky substance secreted by the external auditory canal. Unlike dry, flaky earwax (dry cerumen), oily earwax is softer and more sticky. The following is a comparison of oily earwax and dry cerumen:
| feature | Oily earwax (moist cerumen) | Dry cerumen |
|---|---|---|
| texture | Thick and greasy | dry, flaky |
| color | yellow or brown | light yellow or gray |
| common crowd | It is less common among Asians and more common among European and American people. | More common in Asians |
2. Causes of oily earwax
The formation of oily earwax is mainly related to genetic factors. Studies have found that the secretion type of cerumen glands is determined by genes. The following table summarizes the main causes of oily earwax:
| Type of cause | Specific instructions |
|---|---|
| genetic factors | ABCC11 gene mutation causes increased oil secretion from cerumen glands |
| environmental factors | A humid environment may increase the stickiness of oily earwax |
| living habits | Frequent ear picking may stimulate cerumen gland secretion |
3. Is oily earwax a health hazard?
Oily earwax itself does not represent a disease, but you need to pay attention to the following conditions:
1.Normal phenomenon:Oil earwax is a way for the ear canal to protect itself. It can absorb dust and bacteria and lubricate the skin of the ear canal.
2.Things to be wary of:If oily earwax is accompanied by the following symptoms, it is recommended to seek medical advice:
| symptom | Possible reasons |
|---|---|
| Itching of the ear canal | fungal or bacterial infection |
| hearing loss | Earwax blocking the ear canal |
| ear canal pain | inflammation or trauma |
4. How to scientifically remove oily earwax?
1.Avoid frequent ear picking:Cotton swabs or ear-picking tools can push earwax deeper into the ear canal and even damage it.
2.Correct cleaning method:
| method | Operating Instructions |
|---|---|
| Rinse with warm water | Gently rinse the external auditory canal with warm water during bathing |
| Ear drops to soften | Use medical ear drops to soften earwax and then drain it naturally |
| Professional cleaning | Go to the otolaryngology department for professional cleaning 1-2 times a year |
5. Common misunderstandings about oily earwax
1.Myth 1: Greasy earwax means the ears are not clean.Fact: Oily earwax is a normal physiological phenomenon and has nothing to do with personal hygiene.
2.Myth 2: Oily earwax can cause body odor.Fact: Although both are related to the ABCC11 gene, there is no direct causal relationship.
3.Myth 3: Oily earwax needs to be cleaned every day.Fact: Excessive cleaning can stimulate the cerumen glands to secrete more oil.
6. Summary
Oily earwax is a normal physiological phenomenon, mainly determined by genetic factors. As long as there are no uncomfortable symptoms, there is generally no need for special treatment. The correct way to care for your ear canal is to avoid frequent ear picking and seek professional medical help when necessary. I hope that through this article, you can have a more scientific understanding of oily earwax and eliminate unnecessary worries.
check the details
check the details
en
