What is earwax?
Earwax is a natural and essential substance produced by our ear canals. It's a common occurrence and something that everyone has, playing a vital role in maintaining the health and well-being of our ears.
Earwax is a complex mixture of substances, mainly consisting of dead skin cells, hair, and secretions from the ceruminous and sebaceous glands in the ear canal. These glands work in unison to produce a waxy, oily substance, known as earwax.
While it might seem like an inconvenience, earwax serves several important functions. One of its main roles is to act as a protective barrier for the delicate skin of the ear canal.
Let's explore into why earwax exists:
- Helps prevent water, and dust
- Lubricates the ear canal, making sure it doesn't become dry and itchy (essential for overall ear health).
- Traps debris and bacteria, preventing it from travelling deeper into the ear canal. Where it could potentially cause infections or damage.
- Our ears naturally pushes out older earwax from the ear canal as new wax is produced. This self-cleaning mechanism helps maintain a healthy environment for the ear.
If you want to find out more about why we have earwax, our guide will get you up to speed in no time.