Earwax is a specific substance that includes the secretion produced by the sebaceous and sulfur glands, with the addition of regularly exfoliating epithelial particles. This is not a waste and by no means a harmful discharge. Ear wax is very important, as strange as it sounds. It gently cleans the ear canal from dead cells and foreign particles that enter it, and also protects it from the adverse effects of external factors - both biological and physicochemical, and serves as a moisturizer.
Sulfur has the property of accumulating in the ear, after which it dries and enters the outer ear, and already from it there is a completely natural removal of it. Sometimes this substance, instead of being regularly removed to the outside, continues to accumulate in the ear and be compressed there, gradually blocking the ear canal. Let's try to figure out what causes plugs in the ears.
The main reasons
Otolaryngologists distinguish a fairly large number of various factors, from which sulfur plugs are formed in the ears. Let's consider them in more detail.
One of the common reasons is that the sulfur glands are too active. They produce so much secretion that the sulfur does not have enough time to be released from the ear canal cavity. She remains in it, becoming that very unfortunate cork. Such a supersecretion of sulfur, as a rule, accompanies dermatitis, skin lesions with eczema, chronic otitis media, high cholesterol levels, as well as frequent and incorrect ear cleansing.- Problems with the release of sulfur from the passage. Failures in the mechanism for removing sulfur to the outside (their result is the formation of a plug) are most often recorded in the following pathologies and conditions:
One of the common reasons is that the sulfur glands are too active. They produce so much secretion that the sulfur does not have enough time to be released from the ear canal cavity. She remains in it, becoming that very unfortunate cork. Such a supersecretion of sulfur, as a rule, accompanies dermatitis, skin lesions with eczema, chronic otitis media, high cholesterol levels, as well as frequent and incorrect ear cleansing.- features of anatomy: narrowness of the ear canal or its tortuosity;
- narrowing due to changes that have occurred due to inflammatory diseases of the ear;
- incomplete or complete clogging of the ear canal by a foreign object that has fallen into it;
- increased hair growth in the external auditory canal (typical for people in old age);
- Long-term wearing of in-ear headphones or using a hearing aid.
- The reasons for the occurrence of sulfur plug in those who work in mills, mines, in workshops of tobacco production and similar enterprises are reduced to activities in conditions of high dust content in the air.
- For divers and diving enthusiasts, the ear canal is always moisturized. Therefore, even the smallest lump of wax in the ear grows in size and forms a plug.
Improper hygiene of the external ear canal. The external part of the ear canal (membranous cartilaginous) is connected to the bone part located slightly deeper through a narrow isthmus. The production of sulfuric substance occurs exclusively in the outer part, however, it can be thrown into the bone part if the ears are not cleaned correctly. It is difficult for her to return back the same way (that is, through the isthmus). The result is obvious - the same cork. Most often, it is formed "due to" the constant pushing of sulfur out of this isthmus and pressing it near the membrane. This usually happens when a hygienic stick or any other object is inserted too deep into the ear canal to clean the ears.
Improper hygiene of the external ear canal. The external part of the ear canal (membranous cartilaginous) is connected to the bone part located slightly deeper through a narrow isthmus. The production of sulfuric substance occurs exclusively in the outer part, however, it can be thrown into the bone part if the ears are not cleaned correctly. It is difficult for her to return back the same way (that is, through the isthmus). The result is obvious - the same cork. Most often, it is formed "due to" the constant pushing of sulfur out of this isthmus and pressing it near the membrane. This usually happens when a hygienic stick or any other object is inserted too deep into the ear canal to clean the ears.Symptoms
The presence of a cerumen plug inside the ear may not give itself out in any way. A person will not feel the symptoms characteristic of it if the sulfur accumulation has occupied only part of the ear canal. But when it is completely filled with sulfur, there is an unpleasant feeling of stuffiness in the ear. You can feel it while chewing. This is the main symptom. Filling of the entire ear canal is most often due to the ingress of water, especially soapy water. This usually happens while swimming. Soapy water enlarges the plug and fills the entire passage.
The most unpleasant symptoms occur if the formed plug begins to put pressure on the membrane. Dizziness and tinnitus appear. If such pressure is applied for a long time, the functioning of the nerve endings associated with the work of the heart muscle may be disrupted.
Let's summarize
If there are plugs in the ears, the reasons for this unpleasant phenomenon must be found and eliminated. If you understand why earwax plugs form in your ears, it will be much easier for you to deal with them and prevent them from occurring in the future.
To prevent sulfur accumulations from bothering, you need to take preventive measures. If the doctor, upon examination, discovered the presence of anatomical features, it will be necessary to visit an otolaryngologist at least once every 6 months.
In order to prevent traffic jams, you must:
avoid getting water in your ears (especially cold);- try not to fall under the influence of surges in atmospheric pressure and temperature conditions;
- minimize your stay in places where cold or too dry air prevails;
- Limit the use of hygienic sticks to cleanse the ears and arrange for monthly rinsing.
avoid getting water in your ears (especially cold);Thus, if you properly observe hygiene and not abuse it, you can protect yourself from sulfur plug. And if it so happened that they still began to annoy - you need to see a specialist and solve this problem competently and effectively.
