Earwax coats and protects the outer ear canal that leads to the eardrum. Earwax is necessary for a healthy ear but it should be present in limited amounts. When it exceeds its normal amount you can get rid of excess ear wax through home remedies for ear wax. But before we start treatment, we should understand what is ear wax and why it exists.
Usually earwax is soft and can be removed easily and doesn't cause trouble. But sometimes the wax builds up and becomes hard and dry. Then it's one of the most common causes of hearing problems, especially when it mixes with dust, dirt, or water in the ear. When the wax produced increases, it slowly moves out through the outer ear canal to the opening of the ear. It usually falls out or gets removed when you wash. In most people, the outer ear canal makes earwax all the time, so the canal always has enough wax in it. Earwax plays two important roles. First, its special chemicals help fight infections that could hurt the skin inside the ear canal. Second, it works a shield between the outside world and the eardrum.
Symptoms of too much Earwax:
- Blocked or plugged feeling in the ear.
- Trouble hearing.
- Ear pain or discomfort.
- Ringing in the ear.
- Fever.
Prevention of earwax:
- Wear earplugs if you work around a lot of dust, which can trigger wax buildup.
- Each week put 1or 2 drops of mineral oil in each ear to keep wax soft.
- You may wish to dry the inside of your ear with a hair dryer set on low after showering or shampooing your hair.
- You should avoid getting water, soap, or shampoo in the ear canal while showering by keeping your head down with your chin toward your chest.
Cure for earwax:
- Mix 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide, mineral water, or baby oil with 1-tablespoon warm water. Put a few drops of this in the blocked ear and tilt the head onto a towel this will clean the wax.
- Over the counter liquid earwax softeners can help loosen the wax. Do not use this if you suspect an ear infection or ruptured eardrums.
- Never attempt to remove the wax with the help of cotton swabs, this could damage the eardrum or cause an infection.
- A bulb-type syringe may be used to gently flush the ear with warm water.
If natural home remedies can't cure, call a doctor when:
- If you have sudden or total hearing loss in one or both the ears.
- If pus or blood drains from your ear. This could mean an ear infection or a punctured eardrum.
- If wax becomes too dry that home care doesn't work then your doctor has to clean your ear.
