How does it build?

Question

How does ear wax build and why is it there?
I know it builds when you don't clean your ears out for a long time but what makes the actual ear wax?

Answer 1

Symptoms

You may notice a build-up of wax by:

* having increasing difficulty hearing
* pain in your ear or ears
* hearing a noise or ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
* an awareness of something blocking your ears
* temporary deafness after swimming or having a bath or shower

Causes

The skin cells lining our outer ear canals include tiny glands, similar to sweat glands, which produce wax. The point seems to be that this acts as a protective layer, which traps dust and other particles which get into the ear. The wax slowly works its way to the outside, taking the trapped dirt and dust with it.

Most people's ears clear the wax, which probably comes off on our pillows and towels etc., at a rate which means that it does not build up. Some people may, at some stages in their lives produce wax at a faster rate. Other people have either one or both ear canals that is narrow, or that is at an angle which slows the natural passage of the wax. In these people the wax builds up.

The wax may eventually block off the ear canal all together. If this happens, hearing is reduced, and there is an increased likelihood that stagnation may lead to an infection building up behind the obstruction.
Diagnosis

The doctor or nurse will look in your ears. We all produce wax, so what they are looking for is evidence of the wax actually blocking off the ear canal.

Deafness can be caused by other problems in the ear, and if there is not enough wax to explain your problem, the doctor will be able to discuss other possible causes for your symptoms, eg fluid collecting on the other side of the ear drum when the tube which drains from the middle ear to the throat (the eustachian tube) has become blocked, as after a cold.
Treatment

If you think you have ear wax blocking your ears, either buy some wax softening drops, from the pharmacy, or use a couple of drops of warmed (body temperature) olive oil into your ear two or three times a day, for a few days.

After three or four days arrange to see someone regarding having your ears washed out. The nurse at your doctor's office will usually be able to do this for you.

If you have ear pain, a temperature, or are otherwise concerned, you should speak to or see your doctor sooner.

If you know that you have a hole in your ear drum (a perforation), you should not put drops in your ear without having first discussed it with your doctor or a competent medical advisor.
Prevention

* Do not try to clean out your ears by using a cotton bud. (Ear Nose and Throat specialists sometimes say "You shouldn't stick anything in your ear that's any smaller than your elbow!") This may merely act like a ram rod, and could damage the ear drum.
* It may help to wear ear plugs if you work in a particularly dusty environment.
* If you keep getting ears blocked with wax, it may be worth using a couple of drops of olive oil into each ear once or twice a week.

Answer 2

The ear canal is shaped somewhat like an hourglass. The skin on the outer part of the canal has special glands that produce earwax. The purpose of this natural wax is to repel water and to trap dust and sand particles. Usually a small amount of wax accumulates, and then dries up and falls out of the ear canal caring with it unwanted particles. Ear wax is helpful in normal amounts and serves to coat the skin of the ear canal where it acts as a temporary water repellent. The absence of ear wax may result in dry, itchy ears, and even infection.does that answer your question

Answer 3

i don't know as for some strange reason i don't get ear wax.

Answer 4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earwax

i hope this will answer ur question :)

Answer 5

i don't know and i dont care!BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOO----------------------------YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!