Earwax, also known by the medical term cerumen, is a natural substance secreted by glands in the skin of the outer ear canal. This brown, orange, red, yellowish or gray waxy substance helps keep the ear canal lubricated, protect the ears from water, bacteria and fungi as well as prevent dust, dirt, and other debris from getting lodged deeper into the ear canal.
Because the ear cleans itself, there is usually no need to use penetrative cleaning tools to get rid of earwax. However, problems can occur when there is a blockage of earwax, which occurs when your body produces too much earwax or when existing wax is pushed too far into your ear canal.
Accumulation of excessive earwax may be caused due to narrowing of the ear canal resulting from infection or disease of the skin, bones, or connective tissue.
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