Like many substances that are produced by the body, ear wax also serves an important role in protecting you. So, what exactly is ear wax and how does it protect the ear?

The ear canal is lined with hair follicles and glands, which produce a waxy oil called cerumen. This wax is normally removed naturally from the ears, and will fall out or be removed when you shower. However, it is possible that wax can build up and block the ear canal.

So, what does ear wax do to protect the ear? Ear wax protects the ear in a number of ways. Primarily, it traps and prevents dust, bacteria, and other germs and small objects from entering and damaging the ear. It also protects the delicate skin of the ear canal from getting irritated when water is in the ear canal.

Many people are under the misconception that they have to clean their ears and thus will use cotton buds to remove wax. However, this is not necessary because the ear is self-cleaning and in fact, this can cause more damage. This is because when you try to clean the ear, you may indeed push the wax deeper into your ear and block the ear canal. Thus, we would recommend that you do not use your fingers, cotton buds, or even toothpicks to try and remove wax from your ear.

If you feel that you have excess ear wax, then we would suggest that you get in touch with our team here at Ear Wax Care, as we would be more than happy to help and give you advice.