Not mine! Well, what I'm asking is what is earwax? I know what it is, but what is it made of? Why is it there? What's it's purpose?!
2006-10-04 11:55:46 · 4 answers · asked by bria. 3 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Ear wax is made up from a sticky liquid secreted by the cerumen glands. Cerumen glands are found only in the skin of the ear canals. Different individuals vary considerably in the amount and consistency of their ear wax. There are two types described, wet and dry, which are inherited. Dry wax is common in Asia, while wet wax is common in western Europe. It isn't like the wax in the candle wax. Skin contains many tiny glands whose sole purpose is to secrete a variety of substances.
Ear wax traps anything foreign that comes into the ear canals. Dirt, small insects, bacteria, etc are forever immobilized by wax. The primary purpose of ear wax is to protect your ear canal and ear drum from such foreign materials. Earwax is healthy in normal amounts and serves to coat the skin of the ear canal where it acts as water repellent. No earwax may result in dry, itchy ears.
Ear wax can cause hearing loss. Hearing loss occurs when wax completely blocks the ear canal. This prevents sound waves from easily reaching the ear drum, in exactly the same way that ear plugs or when my kids put their fingers in their ears block sound.
Ear canals are self-cleaning. If you feel you need to clean your ears try placing a few drops of mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, or commercial ear wax removal drops, such as Debrox®, Mack's® Wax AwayTM, Murine®, or Physicians' ChoiceTM in the ear never cotton-tipped applicators, bobby pins, or twisted napkin corners. These objects only push the wax in deeper. If rinsing the ear canal with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) once the oxygen bubbling stops and you drain off the water from the ear flush the ear canal with rubbing alcohol this dries the canal skin from water left from the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Warm, wet ear canals allow the growth of bacteria.
2006-10-04 12:24:13 · answer #1 · answered by kensmommatoo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Earwax is just wax. The purpose is to make sure no dust and pathogen enters your ear. It is a protective agent.
2006-10-04 12:02:17 · answer #2 · answered by Lea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
earwax is there to help protect the inside of your ear. So when your cleaning your ears with q-tips, be sure not to get out all of the wax.
2006-10-04 12:04:07 · answer #3 · answered by puddin_81 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its made of dust and dirt that gets in your ears the purpuse to protect your ears
2006-10-04 11:59:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋