Cera in the ears – Earwax

Cerumen Impaction (Earwax; Ear Impaction; Ear Blockage)

Description of earwax

Earwax – soft yellow wax secreted by glands in the ear canal. Cerumen impaction occurs, when a large amount of sulfur blocks the ear canal.

Earwax helps fight bacterial ear infections and protects the inside of the.

Earwax exits the ear in a natural way and should not be removed by a foreign object. Attempts to clean the ear of earwax with a cotton swab may damage your hearing. If you try to remove earwax, You can:

• Damage the eardrum membrane, that vibrates and transmits sound to the middle ear;
• Increase the risk of ear infections;
• Increase the risk of “swimmer's ear” – skin infections, penetrating the ear canal;
• Traumatize the ear canal.

It is important to prevent the accumulation of earwax blockage before a, which can cause hearing loss.

This disorder can be cured. Consult your doctor, If you believe that you may have a blockage of the ear earwax.

Causes of cerumen

Cerumen impaction is usually caused by inability of the ear naturally cleanse itself.

Factors, that contribute to cerumen, include:

• Attempts to remove earwax with a cotton-tipped swab;
• Putting objects into your ears, which can push earwax deeper into the ear canal.

Risk factors for the appearance of cerumen

Factors, that increase the risk of cerumen include:

• Constant attempts to clean the ears and remove sulfur;
• The narrow or complex configuration auditory canal;
• Excessive production of earwax;
• Age: strongly affects the elderly and causes hearing loss;
• Intellectual disability.

Symptoms of cerumen

These symptoms, except cerumen, They may be caused by other diseases. If you experience any of them, should see a doctor.

Symptoms cerumen include:

• Itching in the ear;
• Earache;
• Ringing in the ear;
• Hearing loss.

Diagnosis of cerumen

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. He will examine the ear by a special device with a light source (otoscope), with which to search for the excessive accumulation of cerumen.

Treatment of cerumen

Treatment involves removal of earwax from the ear canal. To remove the wax, the following methods:

• Sulfur removal using one of several tools, Why use:
  • Curette – surgical instrument shaped scoop;
  • Aspiration – ear wax is removed with an instrument, creating a vacuum in the ear doctor;
• Flushing – doctor can ear wash with washing equipment;
• Tserumynolytyk – your doctor may prescribe or recommend the use of drugs tseruminoliticheskie – fluid, which is used to soften earwax, that can facilitate its removal.

Do not use ear candles – Fabric tube, impregnated with wax, which are inserted into the ear and lit. The use of ear candles can cause serious injury, including burns, rupture of the eardrums and blockage of the ear canal.

If you are diagnosed with cerumen impaction, Follow your doctor's instructions.

Prevention cerumen

To reduce the risk of blockage of the ear earwax, proceed as follows:

• Do not clean your ears nothing, except soaped sponges, on the outer edge of the ear;
• Do not use sticks for cleaning the ears;
• If you are concerned about earwax, consult a doctor. Do not try to remove earwax yourself.