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Conditions

Earwax

Examination inside the ear

You might think that earwax is just useless icky stuff that you have to constantly remove from your ears. But it’s a natural secretion that actually performs a number of functions. Earwax cleans, lubricates, and protects the lining of your ear, by trapping dirt and repelling water. Without it, the skin inside your ear may become dry, cracked, infected, or waterlogged and sore. But this newfound respect for your earwax shouldn’t prevent you from conducting a little ear maintenance every now and then. The wax should naturally migrate towards the opening of the ear canal, so you shouldn’t have to go ramming a cotton bud deep inside (until you reach the brain). However, every year in the UK, an estimated 2.3 million people have problems with excessive earwax, which can sometimes cause the ear canal to become blocked, leading to pain, or temporary hearing loss. In these cases, the earwax will need to be removed by a GP or specialist.

If you are worried that your child has excessive earwax, check our condition guide for parents on Embarrassing Bodies: Kids.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

i have a problem with my left ear,i've been to the doctors and they said it was a cause of eczema in the ear and the skin has become dry and flakey, the doctor gave me 'Otomize' ear spray and it's done nothing, need help with this problem, any suggestions to what it could be? and what to do to help get rid of it? thanks.





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My boyfriend has an ongoing ear wax problem. The wax builds up and he has to put drops in and get them syringed every 6 months. After this he seems to be prone to spots/inflammed lumps in his ears. The biggest problem seems to be the yeasty smell just inside his ears, which starts about a week after he's had them syringed. Any advice?





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hello i've had poblems with my left ear for about 4/5 years now and been to the doctors so many times and they always give me the same antibiotics and eardrops which help for a week but the infection always comes back, a got referred to hospital and got told that my left ear has hearing loss but thats all they said so a went back to my doctor as my right ear had started to get the infection aswell and am finding it hard too hear atall now does anyone have any ideas on what i should do ?





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I have used these candles, which I cannot remember what they are called, that you put in your ear and it sucks all the wax out. It is very relaxing and easy to use. You should try them.

I dont have excessive earwax, i clean them regularly but every few months i get earwax that is painful and when im able to clean it out its a big hard black block like thing is that wierd?





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I also get the same problem as u and have been told the same as u,the one thing I was told was to put a few drops of olive oil in each ear every week as may prevent wax building up.

For the past couple of years my ears keep getting blocked due to the build up of wax covering my ear drum. In order to hear again i go theough the mission of putting olive oil drops for 7 days in my ears then take a trip to the docs to get them seringed! The last time i went, only 6mths ago, it was reported that i have very narrow ear canals which is why they block so frequently.Is there any kind of surgery i can have to stop me having to go through being deaf every 6mths???





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My boyfriend has this weird habit of being always cleaning/scratching his ear. He does it like 12 times a day... When he doesn't have any cotton bud handy he'll use whatever he has on hand: pens, pinheads, finger, keys,even his diabetic pens!, etc etc... What could be causing all this itching he has on the inside of the ear?





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for 2 years on and off i have been suffering with my left ear my docter subscribed me with antibiotics but it comes back not long after i finish the course. My ear leaks an it smells realy bad and it is worse wen i wake up can u help me please.





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hi im deaf and my right ear constantly leaking fluid then dries the outer skin of my ear and painfull . i have been given gentisone and does not work,help me please





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I suffer from really itchy, flakey skins in my ears. It has been like for about 6 years now. I have been to my GP and they have suggested olive oil, but nothing seems to sto the itching .





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I suffer with cronic ear ache is there anything you can advise me to take or relieve the situation





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Earwax is made up of a number of different substances that form a protective coating over the skin that lines the ear canal (the passage between the outer and middle ear). Read More »

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