The Color Of Earwax Indicates Your Health Condition
Earwax is formed naturally to protect the ears. Known by the medical term cerumen, earwax serves to prevent dirt and other foreign objects from entering the ear and to prevent infection. Earwax can be of different textures and colors. What exactly do the different colors of earwax mean?
Getting to Know the Texture and Meaning of Earwax Colors
Basically the ear can clean itself. Earwax that is old will mix together with dead skin cells and come out from the inside into the ear canal. Apparently, not everyone has the same texture and color of earwax. Different colors and shapes of earwax can also indicate a person's health condition.
Here are the different colors of earwax that you must recognize!
1. Earwax is pale yellow in color with a soft texture
Pale yellow earwax is generally owned by children.
This color is included in the color of normal earwax. This color may turn darker with age. Earwax production will also usually decrease as a person gets older.
2. Brownish yellow earwax tends to get wet
The meaning of brownish yellow earwax with a texture that tends to be wet is also normal.
The characteristics of earwax are usually owned by Caucasians and Africans. This is caused by a gene mutation that makes earwax wetter. But there is no need to worry because this condition does not indicate an ear disorder.
3. Grayish-white earwax tends to dry out
If previously it was said that the texture of earwax that tends to be wet is normal, it does not mean that dry earwax is not normal.
For some ethnic groups in the world, gray-white earwax with a dry texture is also a normal type of earwax. A study found that the color and texture of earwax is most common in East Asian ethnicity.
4. Earwax is greenish yellow
Brownish yellow color or having an orange color element is still included in the normal color of earwax, but it is different from the greenish-yellow color of earwax.
A greenish-yellow color of earwax can indicate an ear infection. If you experience these symptoms along with other symptoms such as ear discomfort or itchy ears, you should immediately consult an ENT (ear, nose, throat) doctor.
5. Earwax is reddish in color
The meaning of reddish earwax color can indicate the presence of blood in the earwax.
If the earwax is dark brown with a red tint, this could indicate a scratch in the ear canal or an ear injury. Mistakes when trying to clean the ear also often cause the ear to bleed and cause earwax to be reddish in color.
6. Earwax is black
The longer the wax is in the ear, the longer the color will be darker and can produce black earwax.
There are several causes of black earwax, starting from the accumulation of excessive earwax or due to the entry of foreign objects into the ear which makes the wax more trapped in the ear. Black can mean a dangerous color of earwax, especially if it is accompanied by symptoms such as earache, dizziness and hearing loss.
7. White with liquid texture
White earwax that resembles pus with a liquid texture and smell can indicate a condition called Swimmer's ear or otitis externa.
This condition can occur when the defenses in the ear canal cannot overcome an infection due to bacteria or fungi and an allergic reaction. This protection usually works better when the ear is dry. Humid ear conditions can make bacteria and fungi grow faster so that infections can occur.
In addition to white and watery earwax, other symptoms of otitis externa include redness and swelling of the outer ear and ear canal, pain in the swollen area, scaly skin, itching, irritation, swollen lymph nodes, and hearing loss.
How to Clean Earwax Safely
The meaning of the color of earwax can indicate certain ear disorders. Basically this disorder can be prevented by taking good care of the ears. One way to treat ears is to choose a safe ear cleaning method.
The safest way to clean the ears is to visit a doctor and ask the doctor for help to clean our ears according to medical procedures. If you have to clean your ears at home, here are some things you can do:
1. Using a damp cloth
The use of cotton buds can cause earwax to get deeper into the ear.
If you want to keep using cotton buds, you should just stick to the outside of the ear. Otherwise you can use a warm cloth or towel to clean the outside of your ear.
2. Ear wax softener
You can get ear drops to soften earwax at pharmacies.
Most of these drops contain ingredients such as mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and saline. Follow the instructions for use on the product packaging to ensure safe use. If side effects occur, consult a doctor for treatment.
3. Using an ear syringe
An ear syringe is an injection-shaped device used to inject warm water or saline into the ear. This method can be more effective if you also apply a stool softener product 15-30 minutes before using the ear syringe.
Post a Comment for "The Color Of Earwax Indicates Your Health Condition"