Earwax

What is earwax?

Earwax, also known as cerumen (pronounced “seh-ROO-muhn”), is a waxy substance inside your ears. Glands in your ear canal (the tunnel that goes from your ear opening to your eardrum) make earwax.

Lots of people think of earwax as dirty or a nuisance, but it’s actually essential to keeping your ears healthy. Earwax nourishes and protects the skin inside your ear. And it prevents harmful substances, like dirt and germs, from reaching your eardrum.

It does all this without requiring upkeep. Older earwax naturally falls out bit by bit over time. Your ears automatically make new earwax to replace it. This is why there’s no need to stick objects like cotton swabs inside your ears to clean them. This can actually damage your ears.

Types of earwax

There are two main types of earwax: wet and dry. Which type you have depends on your genetics. Specifically, it depends on whether you have the dominant or recessive variant of the ABCC11 gene:

• Wet earwax is dominant (most common). It’s soft, sticky and more likely to be yellow or brown. This type is most common among people of European and African descent.
• Dry earwax is recessive (least common). This type is dry, flaky and more likely to be gray or tan. It’s most common among people of East Asian descent.

What does earwax do?

Earwax serves many purposes. For example, it:

• Acts as a waterproof lining for your ear canal
• Moisturizes your ears so they don’t dry out
• Traps dirt and dust so they can’t reach (and damage) your eardrum
• Releases substances that protect against bacterial and fungal infections
• Carries dead skin cells and other debris out of your ears

Where does earwax come from?

Two types of glands in your ear canal work together to make earwax:

• Sebaceous glands. Attached to tiny hair follicles inside your ears, these tiny glands secrete an oily substance called sebum that lubricates your skin. It keeps your ears from drying out.
• Ceruminous glands. These glands are modified sweat glands. They secrete antimicrobial proteins that protect your ears from germs.

What is earwax made of?

Earwax isn’t really wax. It gets its name from its waxy consistency. Earwax mostly consists of sebum — dead skin cells and hair combined with several different substances, including:

• Keratin
• Cholesterol
• Long-chain fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated)
• Squalene
• Wax chemical compounds
• Alcohol chemical compounds

What color is earwax?

Healthy earwax ranges in color depending on your earwax type and how old it is. Typically, lighter colors (like pale yellow) mean newer earwax. Darker colors (like dark brown) often mean older earwax that’s collected debris. Healthy earwax may be:

• Off-white
• Yellow
• Orange
• Light brown
• Dark brown

But you should call a healthcare provider if you have earwax that’s:

• Green. This color could mean you have an ear infection.
• Black. This color is often seen in people with an earwax blockage.
• Brown with red streaks. This hue may indicate an injury inside your ear canal. If you also have runny discharge, it might mean you have a ruptured eardrum.

What happens if I have excessive earwax?

There may be times when you have too much earwax. For example, wearing earbuds and hearing aids can trap earwax so it doesn’t fall out as much. It’s important to clean earwax out of these devices regularly.

Things you can’t control, like your genetics and even having lots of ear hair, can make your ears produce lots of earwax, too. But lots of earwax isn’t a sign that you have a condition or that your ears are dirty.

Excessive earwax can become an issue if it becomes impacted, resulting in an earwax blockage. Earwax that becomes too compact can block your eardrum, making it hard to hear.

Is it good to remove earwax?

Usually, there’s no reason to remove earwax. Your ears are self-cleaning and your body gets rid of it regularly. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, if your ears are functioning properly, you should leave your earwax alone.

If too much earwax is clogging your ears, you can try at-home remedies to safely remove earwax. These methods never include sticking cotton swabs or small objects into your ear. Doing this can potentially damage your ears. Also, it can cause your ears to make more earwax.

If at-home methods don’t work or if you also have symptoms of an ear condition, like ear pain, contact your primary care provider. It may be safer to have them remove the excess earwax for you.

What is the main cause of ear wax?

The sebaceous glands and ceruminous glands inside your ear canal secrete substances that makeup earwax. Earwax production is a normal, healthy process that keeps your ears protected.

Why does my earwax smell?

Earwax often has a slight odor (ranging from sweet to slightly musky) because of the mix of substances it contains. It’s natural in much the same way that sweat naturally has an odor. And these odors are different for everyone.

On the other hand, foul-swelling earwax may be a sign of an ear infection or other condition. If your ear smells like cheese, fish, vinegar or just unpleasant — see a healthcare provider.

Why did a ball of wax just come out of my ear?

Your ears are self-cleaning organs. Eventually, excess wax will fall out of your ear, and your ear will make new wax. Everyday jaw movements, like chewing or talking, gradually work the wax out. Often, it comes out bit by bit in the shower. But sometimes, you may notice it falling out. This is normal and healthy.

Why do my ears feel wet?

If your ears ever feel wet, it’s often just because they’re making more earwax. When first produced, earwax is thin, clear and watery. But as time goes on, it becomes thicker and darker.

But if you develop additional symptoms like ear pain or a fever, call a healthcare provider. Watery ears could mean you have an infection or a ruptured eardrum.