Doctor, I feel like I've been getting more earwax lately. Can you help me clean my 'thin' ears? "On April 1st, Ms. Zhang, a resident of Wuhan, went to the hospital after work and asked the doctor to help me clean her ears. Ms. Zhang often describes herself as having "thin ears". Due to the oily earwax, she cannot clean it thoroughly and instead becomes increasingly itchy. Therefore, every two months, she goes to the hospital to request a doctor to "clean her ears". Zhu Yun, chief physician of the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at Tongji Medical College Affiliated Union Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, reminds that earwax is the "natural protective shield" of the ear. Unless there is abnormal earwax, there is no need to deliberately clean it in daily life. Improper ear cleaning may actually cause health hazards to the ear. 01 Ear wax: The "omnipotent guardian" of the ear. Ear wax is a secretion from the sebaceous and earwax glands of the external auditory canal, mixed with dust and dandruff. It is medically called "earwax". Most people in our country have dry earwax in their ears, which forms a thin sheet after drying in the air and can detach outward with changes in head position or movement, as well as chewing activities; Some people's earwax is as thick as oil, called oily earwax, which is not easy to come out. Although earwax is a metabolic waste, it has great benefits and should be kept and cherished. ”Zhu Yun said. Function 1: Lubrication and Moisturizing. The skin of the external auditory canal is delicate and lacks sebaceous glands. The oil in earwax can moisturize the mucous membrane of the ear canal, avoiding dryness and cracking, while reducing friction damage between ear hair, skin, and ear canal wall. Function 2: Protecting the adhesive properties of the eardrum. The earwax can adhere to gravel that accidentally enters the external auditory canal and prevent dirty water from penetrating and causing infections; The unique "taste" of earwax can drive away some small flying insects that accidentally enter the external auditory canal; It can also reduce noise to a certain extent. Function three: Antibacterial and bacteriostatic. Small earwax also has antibacterial and bacteriostatic effects. Some components in earwax, such as lysozyme and immunoglobulin, can inhibit fungi and bacteria in the external auditory canal. Function 4: Clean and self-cleaning ear canal has a self-cleaning function, and most of the earwax can be excreted on its own during chewing and jaw movement. Moreover, as more and more earwax is dug up, the newly secreted earwax may turn from its original patchy form into debris, thereby reducing its ability to protect the ears. There are many reasons that can cause ear itching. Many people's ear picking habits may seem "easy", but they actually carry hidden health risks. Common misconceptions include: sometimes ear itching is caused by internal heat, and eating spicy food or staying up late frequently can also cause ear itching. Bad ear cleaning habits, such as digging out earwax too cleanly, are more likely to allow harmful substances from the outside to enter the ear, and can also cause dryness of the external auditory canal, leading to ear itching. Once water enters the external auditory canal, the skin of the external auditory canal becomes moist. In addition, bad ear picking habits can damage the skin of the external auditory canal, which can easily lead to inflammation and discomfort such as swelling and pain in the ear. Allergies can sometimes cause itching in the external auditory canal when allergic diseases occur. If mites get into our ears, we will also feel itchy. When there is excessive secretion or obstruction of earwax secretion, it accumulates in the external auditory canal, condenses into a block, and blocks the external auditory canal, it becomes earwax embolism. When earwax embolism occurs, there may be different symptoms depending on the degree and location of the earwax embolism: ① When the external auditory canal is not completely blocked, there are often no symptoms and occasional local itching. ② When completely blocked, there may be ear discomfort, hearing loss, tinnitus, and even dizziness. Ear pain may occur during temporomandibular joint movement or after swelling due to water ingress, and unbearable pain may occur when accompanied by infection. Embodied earwax must be treated at a formal medical institution. 03 It's too dangerous to clean your ears like this. Many people are accustomed to using tools such as long nails, cotton swabs, ear spoons, etc. to clean their ears themselves, but in fact, these methods carry great risks! Excessive force can cause ear canal bleeding, tympanic membrane perforation, hearing loss, and even otitis media. Improper methods can push earwax deep into the ear canal, causing earwax embolism, resulting in hearing loss, compression of the eardrum, and even discomfort such as tinnitus and dizziness. Some people are used to going to ear picking shops on the street, but this also carries risks. Many roadside ear picking tools have problems with repeated use and inadequate cleaning and hygiene, which can easily cause fungal infections in the external auditory canal, resulting in symptoms such as ear itching, ear tightness, and ear pain, and are also susceptible to infectious diseases. 04 Proper Ear Protection: This is the safest way to clean. 1. Under normal circumstances, ears have a "self-cleaning" function, and earwax can move outward and fall off on its own with each speech or chewing. If you feel itchy in your ears, you can wash your hands and gently scratch your earlobe or external auditory canal twice. If it is wet and oily earwax, you can go to the hospital and have a professional ear, nose, and throat doctor help you clean it. Never use cotton swabs, wooden sticks, ear picks, etc. to poke your ears forcefully. If there are symptoms such as difficulty hearing sounds, a feeling of swelling in the ears, or pain after water ingress, it may be due to earwax embolism and prompt medical attention is needed. Mild itching in the ears can be relieved by gently pressing the cartilage at the ear canal opening. Never damage the skin of the external auditory canal and eardrum. If accidentally damaging the skin of the external auditory canal, be sure to prevent infection. (New Society)