Loosen ear wax

definition

Ear wax (technical term: Cerumen or Cerumen) is a yellowish-brownish, fatty, bitter secretion that comes from the glands of the external auditory canal. These glands are modified sweat glands and are also called Glandulae ceruminosae or apocrine, tubular ball glands. They exist in all mammals and serve to clean the ear canal. A moist secretion is released from them, which absorbs dust, dirt residues, dead skin cells etc. and thus facilitates removal, as well as substances such as fats and e.g. which contains lysozyme. These substances keep the ear canal supple and maintain its acidic environment, which is used to ward off bacteria, fungi and insects.

If the contaminants in the ear are bound in the secretion, the cilia in the ear canal can more easily remove the mixture through their outward movement. Despite its not very appetizing appearance, ear wax is not only to be regarded as an unaesthetic evil, but also fulfills a not unimportant function. If this protective function is no longer available due to excessive removal during personal hygiene or e.g. frequent swimming can cause ear pain and inflammation.

There are two genetically determined forms of ear wax in humans, the most common, moist form, which occurs in approx. 97% of all Europeans, and the dry form, which occurs in only approx. 3% of Europeans.

Overproduction and constipation

In some people, the Ball glands. With this the blockage of the Ear canal along with what is perceived as unpleasant, a so-called forms Ceruminum plug. Depending on its size and consistency, this can go back and forth "clump“Or through manipulation or pronounced size Ear canal clog, causing temporary hearing impairment. This is where the patient is given a regular visit ENT doctor recommended every 3 months. He can then extract the plug with various techniques, he usually does this either by suction, whereby the plug is sucked in and removed using a thin tube, by pulling it out with a small hook or by rinsing it with water at body temperature.

Independent removal

If you want to save yourself a visit to the ENT doctor, there are also methods of doing this Ear wax professionally removed at home. However, care should be taken not to do this too often and thus undermine its protective function and to consult the ENT doctor in the event of pain and / or inflammation.

Probably the best known method is also the one from which most strongly advised against will: Removal with cotton swabs or Q-tips. The hard inner core of the cotton swab can cause injuries to the external ear canal and irritation or even injury to the sensitive Eardrum come what outer and inner ear canal separates from each other. In addition, there is a risk that existing ceruminum plugs will move further in the direction of the eardrum or become attached to it, resulting in a temporary one Hearing loss leads, since the passage of the acoustic signals is now difficult.

The easiest way to do this is to rinse out excess wax while showering. Here the water should be warmed to body temperature dizziness or nausea to avoid. These reactions can be caused by irritation of something running in the ear canal Nerve with cold liquid with subsequent irritation of the Balance organ occur. The warm water can now slowly flow into the ear canal by slightly bending the head to the side.This should be pure water without soap or shampoo, otherwise the function of the glands can be impaired. After showering, the ear should be gently patted dry with a towel or piece of paper.

The wax can also be heated using the same principle Almond- or olive oil removed. The oil should be warmed up again to body temperature, e.g. by briefly warming up in the hand. Now carefully 3 to 4 drops of oil should be placed under the Head to be poured into the ear. The oil softens the hardened earwax and makes it easier to loosen. After the oil has been applied, it is washed out with water. This should also be warmed back to body temperature and can then be carefully put into the affected ear with a small syringe and then carefully dab the ear dry again with a towel or paper. To soften the closing ceruminous plug, there are also specially manufactured drugs in spray form, the so-called Cerumenolytics. These are applied from the outside into the ear canal, then the procedure is exactly the same as for softening with oils and water.