It’s never pleasant if you have a visible buildup of earwax. But when is it a problem and when do you need to do something about it?
Self-Cleaning Ears
All human ears are self-cleaning and it’s actually the wax which helps stop dirt and debris getting into the ear canal, keeping it healthy and hygienic. So while you may feel dirty if you suffer from ear wax, it’s perfectly normal and is the result of jaw movements pushing the wax out of the inner ear canal through to the outer ear canal, where it can be seen.
Earwax generally falls out on its own and you should never use a cotton bud to clean your ear. Simply clean any visible ear wax with a soft cloth such as a tissue.
Concerning Symptoms
You can try to remove the wax yourself. Put a couple of drops of almond or olive oil in your ear before lying on your side. Repeat this a few times a day, for around 5 days. This may help dislodge a lump of earwax, and you should see an improvement in your symptoms.
However, if symptoms persist, you should see a professional to get the ear wax removed. It’s especially important to do this if your ear is badly blocked and you can’t hear anything, or you’ve had symptoms for more than a week. If you are looking for ear wax removal Poole, there are several specialists, such as Earwax website, that can help.
Other Signs
Earwax is normally off-white, orange, light brown or yellow when it is fresh. It can be dark brown or black if it is older and has collected dirt over a period, although this is still not a cause for concern. If the wax is green, white and flaky, white and runny, or has streaks of blood in it, these are all signs of an infection or injury and you should consult a doctor.