Earwax is a substance secreted by the ear to help protect it and keep it safe from diseases. However, in some cases, it may have negative effects on health, which requires consulting a specialist doctor. In this report, Dalili Medical reviews everything related to black earwax, based on the information provided by our website.

**Reasons for the appearance of black earwax**

 

1. **Earwax accumulation**

Dark or black wax may indicate its accumulation inside the ear for a long time. The glands in the ear canal produce wax continuously, which necessitates cleaning the ear regularly while showering or wiping it well every ten days, or consulting a specialist doctor to remove the wax in a safe way.

2. **Presence of foreign bodies in the ear**

Earwax removal methods may lead to some health complications or the entry of foreign bodies, which causes wax to accumulate for long periods, and may then appear black.

3. **Earwax pressure**

Black wax usually appears as a result of its pressure inside the ear for long periods, and may be accompanied by some annoying symptoms such as earache, dizziness, and temporary hearing loss. This often happens in the elderly, which requires consulting a specialist doctor to remove the wax and reduce the chances of health complications.

4. **Gender and Age**

The elderly, especially men, are more susceptible to black earwax. As we age, earwax production decreases, but it becomes denser, which leads to its accumulation faster.

5. **Earwax Pressure**

Using inappropriate tools to remove wax can lead to it being pressed inside the ear, which increases the likelihood of its accumulation.

Working or living in an environment full of dust and dirt can also lead to earwax changing color to black.

Earwax accumulates inside the ear for long periods, as under normal conditions the wax comes out automatically during showering or the like. However, it may sometimes happen that large amounts of wax are produced that exceed the body's ability to get rid of it, which leads to its accumulation inside the ear, and it becomes dry and dark in color over time.

Using earplugs, headphones, hearing aids, cotton swabs and other tools can push earwax inward, obstructing its exit, thus accumulating and turning black over time.

**Earwax Colors Significances on Health**

 

1. **Gray Earwax**: This color is unusual compared to the common earwax colors. The color of the wax may change to gray due to the accumulation of dust inside the eardrum. When this color is observed, it is advisable to visit a doctor, as it may indicate the presence of seborrheic eczema that requires immediate treatment.

2. **Liquid Wax**: If a person notices large amounts of liquid wax coming out of his ear, he should consult a doctor. This may be evidence of a perforation in the eardrum, so it is important not to ignore this condition and seek to find out the reason behind the liquid wax coming out.

3. **Bloody Earwax**: The presence of bloody earwax may be associated with a perforation in the eardrum, or it may be a sign of its rupture. Therefore, anyone who notices bloody earwax coming out of his ear should consult a doctor immediately.

4- Black earwax: Some people notice an unusual color coming out of their ears, which is black or dark brown. This color may be a concern for some because it does not match the common colors of earwax. However, this wax does not indicate any abnormal condition inside the ear, but only indicates its accumulation in the ear area.

5- Dark and thick earwax: This type of wax indicates that the person is under severe stress. When a person is stressed, some glands in the ear area interact with each other, which leads to the production of large amounts of earwax that exceed the normal amounts. Therefore, thick and dark wax coming out of the ear is a sign of the person's stress.

6- White earwax: This type of wax appears in some people as a result of the effect of recessive genes on its color. Its presence is rare, as it is noted that a small number of people have this color. It also indicates that these individuals produce less sweat compared to others.

7- Dark earwax: This type of wax is considered one of the most common types among people, as it appears noticeably. What many people do not know is that this wax indicates that their bodies secrete large amounts of sweat. If the color of the wax is very dark, it may indicate that the person's sweat contains certain chemicals. Studies have shown that the color of the wax is related to the skin color, as dark wax may indicate that its owner has slightly dark skin. This type of wax is considered a good sign, as it is healthy and does not pose any danger to its owner.

9- Wet and yellow earwax: Yellow and wet earwax is one of the most common types among individuals. This type is characterized by its yellow color and moisture, and is considered healthy and does not indicate any risks or the presence of a hole in the eardrum, which makes it popular among many people.

10- Soft pale yellow earwax: During the stages of a person's life, children produce large amounts of earwax, which gradually decreases as they age. Earwax in children is characterized by its pale yellow and soft color, and it is common among this age group. While we may find some adults who have this type of wax, their percentage remains small compared to its prevalence among children.

**Factors that increase the likelihood of black earwax**

 

There are several factors that contribute to the formation of black earwax, including:

1. **Excessive secretion from the glands**

Usually the glands secrete wax naturally, allowing the ear to get rid of it without the need for intervention. However, some people suffer from the secretion of large amounts of wax, which leads to its accumulation over time and turning black.

2. **Inserting solid materials into the ear**

Some people use earplugs, headphones, or other solid objectsIrrigation, which increases the risk of black earwax formation. These materials may push the wax into the ear canals, making it difficult to remove.

3. **Earwax impaction**

Using any foreign object to clean the ear may lead to the wax being blocked instead of coming out. People who clean their ears frequently with cotton swabs are more likely to have wax buildup, which prevents it from coming out and causes it to change color to dark.

**Does earwax affect hearing?**

 

When earwax accumulates significantly and becomes hard, it can cause the ear to become blocked. This blockage can be painful and negatively affect hearing ability, as earwax accumulation is one of the main causes of many hearing problems.

Symptoms of earwax blockage appear as follows:

- Ear pain.

- Ear infection.

- Itching.

- Ringing in the ear.

- A feeling of fullness in the ear.

- Dizziness or a feeling of imbalance, which may lead to dizziness or nausea.

- Coughing due to pressure from the blockage, which stimulates a nerve in the ear.

Who are most at risk for earwax buildup?

 

Some people are at greater risk for earwax problems, including:

- People with narrow or incomplete ear canals.

- People with ear canals that contain a large number of hairs.

- People with benign bone tumors in the outer part of the ear canal.

- People with certain skin problems such as eczema.

- The elderly, as earwax becomes drier and harder with age.

People with recurring ear infections.

People with lupus or Sjogren's syndrome.

Complications of black earwax buildup

As mentioned earlier, the appearance of black wax is the result of earwax accumulation, which may lead to some complications, including:

- Hearing loss.

- Ear pain.

- Tinnitus.

- Dizziness.

- Feeling of ear blockage.

**Methods to get rid of black earwax**

 

When you notice black earwax, it is advisable to visit a doctor to make sure there are no worrying health conditions. There are several methods that can be used for treatment, including:

**Ear wash**

A special solution can be used to clean the ear, warm water, essential oils, or hydrogen peroxide to get rid of excess wax.

To wash the ear, you can follow the following steps:

1. Get a syringe or a rubber bottle that can be filled with warm water and drops of oil or hydrogen peroxide.

2. Tilt your head and point the affected ear upward, and point your head toward the sink.

3. Insert the tip of the syringe directly above the ear canal.

4. Spray water inside the ear until it comes out again on its own.

5. Repeat these steps for the other ear if necessary.

**Using ear drops**

 

Ear drops are used inside the ear canals to soften the hardness of harmful earwax, using some natural oils such as olive oil, mineral oils, baby oil, or special solutions.

These solutions absorb hard and dry wax, which helps dissolve it and facilitates its removal from the ear canal. It is preferable for the person to take a shower after this process to facilitate the softening of the wax.

**Resorting to medical methods**

If home remedies do not succeed in removing black earwax due to its hardness, the person may go to the doctor to get rid of it and to make sure there are no health problems in the ear

Here are some medical treatments that the doctor may recommend:

1. Removing earwax using a plastic medical tool known as a scraper.

2. Soaking the ear in warm water or a sodium bicarbonate solution, or using strong ear drops.

3. Gently using a suction to get rid of the wax.

**Safe ways to clean earwax at home:**

- **Using an eye dropper:** You can use an eye dropper or any similar container, where you can fill it with baby skin moisturizing oil, glycerin, or any type of mineral oil and ear softeners. This method is considered one of the best and easiest ways to clean clogged ears at home.

- **Tissues:** You can wrap a tissue around your finger and gently wipe the outside of the ear canal, as this method is considered one of the safest ways to remove accumulated earwax.

Do not hesitate to consult a doctor

 

If you feel pain in your inner ear, headache, cough, any secretions, or difficulty hearing, do not hesitate to book an appointment with your specialist doctor. In the event of inflammation or infection, removing earwax at home will not be the best way.

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