Earwax - How Can Its Colour Defines Your Health?

Remember how Shrek literally pulled out a candle from his ear for the dinner table? Ever tried doing it yourself? Well, the stuff in your ears may be called wax, but it can’t really be used to make a candle. What it can do is say a lot about your health. In clinical terms, earwax is known as Cerumen. It protects your ears and prevents bacteria and debris from entering the ear canal. Earwax also helps in lubricating the ear canal. Children typically produce more earwax than adults. You should never insert objects into your ear to clean earwax, instead, use a cotton swab. The colour and texture of the earwax removed can actually indicate your overall health condition, stress level, genetic ancestry etc.

Know the colour defines your health

1. Pale yellow earwax: Children typically produce soft, pale yellow earwax. In the case of adults, the colour should remain the same, but the texture may become stickier. This type of earwax indicates good health.
2. Sticky vs. dry earwax: As each generation grows, your bodies evolve in order to adjust better to the climate and area you live in. However, your earwax could indicate your genetic ancestry. It is commonly believed that if your earwax is dry, you are of Asian descent. On the other hand, if your earwax is very sticky or wet, you most probably have European or African ancestors.
3. Thick, dark earwax: The production of earwax is highly influenced by the person’s stress levels. When you are stressed out, the apocrine glands responsible for the production of ear wax work overtime. This results in excessive amounts of earwax. As this earwax collects and builds up, it can turn thicker and darker. Thus, thick, dark earwax is a sign of high-stress level.
4. Dark brown, black earwax: As with the above, dark-coloured ear wax is usually the result of an excessive amount of wax build-up in ears. To avoid this, it is essential to clean your ears regularly and keep wax from accumulating.
5. Dry, grey earwax: The grey colour of wax could be simply the result of dirt being mixed with your ear wax. Take this as an indication that you need to clean your ears more regularly. However, if your earwax suddenly seems dry and brittle, it could be the sign of a skin infection. Dry earwax accompanied by itchiness in the ear is usually a sign of eczema.
6. Bloody earwax: Blood in the earwax should never be ignored. This could be caused by an ear infection or a perforation of the eardrum. Either way, you must consult a doctor immediately.