Ear wax is a special substance that accumulates inside the ear canal. Its composition is multicomponent, however, it is based on a liquid secretion, which is formed mainly from the cells that line the canal. The sulfuric substance helps to effectively clean and disinfect the outer part of the ear. If everything is in order, it is regularly evacuated due to the rhythmic beating of the cellular cilia that line the ear canal, as well as the movement of some of the jaw bones.
Both an excess and an insufficient amount of this substance indicate the presence of certain disorders in the functioning of the body, or it indicates that hygienic measures are incorrectly carried out. Earwax is also an ideal moisturizer for the thin skin in the ear canal. Therefore, in case of any deviations from the norm, a person begins to feel uncomfortable.
Why does sulfur form in the ears?
Where does ear wax come from? The outer parts of the ear contain glands called sulfur. So they just bear full responsibility for the production of this much needed secret. Each ear has about 2000 of these microorganisms. If they work correctly, they produce approximately 15 mg of sulfur per month. However, it should be noted that today there are no clear quantitative norms. The amount of sulfur produced is in direct proportion to the individual characteristics of a person.
The ear is an extremely delicate organ that is highly sensitive to all kinds of adverse effects. It is for this reason that a sulfuric substance appears in the ears, which protects health and, accordingly, ensures the full functioning of the hearing organ.
Why is ear wax needed specifically? So, ear wax performs the following functions:
- protective;
- lubricating;
- moisturizing;
- cleansing.
They are all very important for keeping the ear in good working order. Violation of at least one of them entails certain problems, for the solution of which you should contact an otolaryngologist.
The composition of the secret
The secret that the sulfur glands produce includes proteins, several fat-like substances (among the main ones are cholesterol, lanosterol and squalene), mineral salts, and fatty acids. This is earwax, the composition of which is also supplemented with dead skin cells, fragments of hairs covering the ear canal, and sebum secreted by the skin.
The sulfuric substance is sticky and viscous. Thus, it does an excellent job of trapping foreign objects that enter the ear - harmful bacteria, dust particles and other contaminants. Then the secret freely throws them out of the auricle.
As mentioned above, sulfur has a protective function. However, it is not limited only to its physical characteristics. This substance is slightly acidic (pH level is 4-5 units). This is enough to effectively suppress the development of fungi and pathogenic bacteria.
By the way, the bactericidal action of the secretion is ensured by the lysozyme and immunoglobulins contained in it, which are also part of the earwax.
Sulfur color and consistency
The norm is brown ear wax, which has the consistency of a paste, practically odorless. Sometimes the criteria change, but do not go beyond the so-called physiological norm. However, in general, such changes indicate an incipient disease. For example, darkening of sulfur matter may be related to Randu-Osler syndrome. This is a hereditary disease characterized by disorders in the vascular tissue. This symptom should be especially alerted if it is accompanied by nosebleeds. In this case, the brown wax in the ears becomes darker and darker.
If something is wrong with the organ of hearing, the sulfur can have the following colors:
- Yellow. Most likely, it speaks of the development of a purulent process. The secret may be milky yellow and contain white clots. As a rule, yellow sulfur is "bundled" with general weakness, enlarged lymph nodes and high fever.
- Gray. The reason for the grayness of the secret most often lies in the ingress of ordinary dust into the ear canal. Dullness in the ears often appears among residents of megalopolises or constantly blown by the winds of the steppe area. If there are no accompanying symptoms, there is no reason to worry.
- Black. If the sulfur suddenly turns black, it means that there are blood clots in it. If the staining happened only once and it was caused by contamination, you do not need to worry. The second reason for the blackening of the secret is the development of otomycosis. The spores of harmful fungi give this color to the sulfur substance. True, then the person is additionally worried about severe incessant itching.
White. This color signals that the body is deficient in a number of important substances (at least copper or iron). If sulfur whitening is associated with signs of hypovitaminosis, this problem can be easily solved by taking complex vitamin preparations.
White. This color signals that the body is deficient in a number of important substances (at least copper or iron). If sulfur whitening is associated with signs of hypovitaminosis, this problem can be easily solved by taking complex vitamin preparations.The consistency is distinguished:
- Liquid. If wax is leaking from the ears, this may be evidence of a developing inflammatory process. But in some cases, liquid wax in the ears is the result of an injury.
- Dry. This type of secretion is typical for dermatological diseases. In addition, dry sulfur can indicate a lack of fat in the food consumed. After all, they are precisely the basis of the sulfuric substance. The normal consistency is restored after making appropriate adjustments to the diet.
