At the entrance of the ear canal, a natural secretion of dark yellow or light brown color is formed by the sebaceous glands in the skin. This epidemic has protective, lubricating and anti-microbial properties of the ear canal. Although this secretion is often referred to as earwax, this is a misnomer. If the ear secretion is excessive and cannot be expelled, this secretion plug, which clogs the ear canal, is called "PLUG".
How should the ear be cleaned?
Under normal circumstances, the ear canal does not have to be cleaned. Even if the ear canal is not cleaned, it has a function that can expel excess earwax on its own. If ear cleaning is desired by the person, it should be done by cleaning and dehumidifying the entrance part of the external ear canal with a small piece of cotton.
Why is the ear canal blocked?
If foreign objects such as cotton swabs, napkins, and sharp objects are inserted into the ear canal, they push the earwax forward, causing more blockage and more difficult cleaning by your doctor. In addition, working in dusty and dirty environments, having a structural narrowing in the external ear canal and swelling of a small amount of ear secretion after water escape also cause blockage.
How is the ear cleaned by your doctor?
The secretions (plug) that block the ear canal are sometimes softened by dripping glycerin oil and can be made to flow spontaneously with some maneuvers, or sometimes by the ENT doctor considering the condition of your ear; It is treated by taking it with special tools and vacuuming it with an aspirator device.
Does the ear get used to cleaning once it has been cleaned?
This is a completely false belief. Plugging the ears over time is not related to their constant cleaning. This obstruction is associated with structural conditions such as stenosis in the ear canal or overproduction of secretion.
Is it harmful to wash the ear with water?
Today, with advanced technology, the ear no longer has to be washed with water. During ear washing with pressurized water, damage or tearing of the eardrum, severe dizziness or fainting may result in fungal infection in the outer ear canal. In order to avoid these troublesome situations, your doctor cleans the earwax using the "dry air aspiration" technique.
