
After showering and washing our hair, we usually feel that our ears are wet as usual. But for those who clean their ears, or for those who take off their earphones and find that there is earwax stuck to them, or when sleeping and earwax flows out in clumps until we realize that our earwax is unusually wet, what can cause this symptom? Or is it an indication of a health problem? Let’s check together.
How many types of earwax are there?
Ear wax is something that the body produces itself from the outer layer of the ear canal, combined with oil, substances produced by sweat glands, and various impurities that are trapped until it becomes ear wax in our ears. Ear wax can be divided into 2 types according to its characteristics:
1. Wet earwax
It will be quite sticky. If you wipe it, it will stick to the cotton swab. เว็บพนันออนไลน์ UFABET สมัครง่าย โปรโมชั่นมากมาย It is dark yellow to brown in color and may have an odor.
2. Dry earwax
It will be white, cream or beige in color, in the form of dry sheets or lumps that can fall off on their own and have little smell.
What causes wet earwax?
There are several reasons why we have wet earwax, as follows:
1. Our genetics
Scientists have found that the ABCC11 gene, located on chromosome 16, controls the characteristics of our earwax. People with this gene have wet earwax, which is common in Africans, Latin Americans, Westerners, Pacific Islanders, Orientals, and Europeans. People with a deficiency in the ABCC11 gene mostly have dry earwax, such as Asians, especially Koreans, who almost never have this gene. In addition, this gene is also related to body odor. Therefore, we feel that Africans and Europeans tend to have stronger body odor than Asians.
2. Behavior
Some people like to use water to wash their ears or put water in their ears frequently, which can cause earwax to become moist. When cleaning the ears, some earwax may stick to the towel or cotton swab. However, if the body is dry and normal, the earwax will also stop being moist.
3. Certain abnormalities in the body
If you notice that your earwax is wet and watery, it may indicate an abnormal sign in your body.
How to properly remove earwax
In fact, the body can eliminate earwax by itself. By talking, chewing food, laughing, it can make earwax fall out of the body. We do not need to clean earwax or use cotton swabs to reach into the ear canal. However, if you want to clean your ears, just use a clean towel to wipe the ear and outer ear. And do not use cotton or cotton swabs to insert into the ear canal frequently because it may increase the risk of earwax being pushed and accumulated inside the ear canal more until the earwax is blocked.
In conclusion, having wet earwax is not abnormal. It may just make you feel a bit uncomfortable and you need to be more diligent in maintaining good hygiene. However, if you notice any abnormalities in your earwax along with other discomfort, you should see a doctor for examination.