earwax: yet another gross, but important, body thing

earwax isn’t wax at all, but actually a buildup of dead skin cells, dirt, hair and oil.

by nick beare

published nov 18, 2021

last updated jan 15, 2023

3 minute read

join the conversation

3 minute read

join the conversation

earwax: yet another gross, but important, body thing

for most people, the wax eventually pushes its way to the opening of the ear as we move our jaw. getty

my wife’s latest internet obsession is watching earwax removal videos. they’re just as gross as you think, but it turns out she’s not alone in finding some morbid enjoyment in watching them. the same stream of consciousness that spawned an entire tv show about pimple popping seems to have people gravitating toward these earwax removal vids as some form of catharsis.

the wax removal is just a simple and common medical procedure, but it got me thinking: why do some people have so much earwax, and what exactly is earwax, anyway?

what is earwax?

it turns out earwax isn’t wax at all. also known by the medical term cerumen, earwax is a buildup of dead skin cells, dirt, hair and an oily substance called sebum — a bodily secretion produced by the sebaceous glands. the sebaceous glands, along with the ceruminous glands within the skin of the outer part of the auditory canal, produce earwax.

it may sound surprising, but earwax plays an important role within our ears. along with the tiny hairs inside the ear canal, the wax traps dust and other debris in an effort to protect the inner workings of the ear, like the eardrum. it also keeps the inside of the ear lubricated and clear of infection.

for most people, the wax eventually pushes its way to the opening of the ear as we move our jaw — either falling out on its own or floating out when we bathe. but sometimes, the wax can become impacted and create a blockage.

what happens when earwax becomes impacted?

while the existence of earwax made q-tips a household name, using one to dig into your ear for wax might not be a good idea. if you don’t let the earwax finds its way out on its own and instead opt for a q-tip or the finger method for wax removal, there’s a good chance the wax will be pushed further into the ear canal, dry up and cause a blockage.

but that’s not the only way that earwax can become impacted.

earwax buildup can happen when the ear makes wax faster than the body can remove it. there are several medical conditions that can cause that to happen.

according to cedars-sinai, the conditions that can lead to impacted wax by either causing excess earwax or a blockage include; bony blockage (osteoma or exostoses); infectious disease, such as swimmer’s ear (external otitis); skin disease (such as eczema); autoimmune disease (such as lupus); and narrowed ear canal (from birth, chronic inflammation, or injury).

if the impacted wax is not removed, pain in the ear, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), itchiness, discharge or odour coming from the ear, dizziness and temporary hearing loss that can continue to worsen are all symptoms of the condition, according to the cleveland clinic.

while impacted wax or a blockage can happen to anyone, it is more likely to occur in people who use a hearing aid or frequently use ear plugs or ear buds. older people and people with ear canals shaped in a way that makes the natural removal process more difficult are also more likely to experience a blockage.

the colour and texture of your earwax can also be telling. while earwax can be anything from yellow to orange-brown or honey-coloured, anything white or green is a sign of infection. dark earwax is usually older and a sign that more dirt and debris has been trapped in it.

whatever your earwax situation, you know you’ve got a potential viral video on your hands if you want it. just make sure a doctor does the removal.

don’t miss a thing: sign-up for healthing’s newsletter

thank you for your support. if you liked this story, please send it to a friend. every share counts.