Health
Watch the video, If you are too lazy to read
Watch the video, If you are too lazy to read
Our body is a chain of interconnected mechanisms.
The failure of one organ often leads to the failure of the entire huge system. Therefore, it is very important to carefully monitor the work of each organ separately and recognize the signals that our body sends us in time.
Nina Shapiro, MD, professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and author of a medical book series, states that the following information should be taken into account by all those who care about their own health.
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The function of earwax
For example, the mucous membrane in the ear has a vital function: it protects the delicate skin of the ear canal.
Moreover, changes in the color or consistency of earwax can provide clues to a person's overall health.
Only a few pay attention to the color and consistency of their own ear secretions. And it's completely in vain! Often, a change in the color of earwax is a symptom of a disease.
Remember, in a healthy person, earwax usually has a slightly yellowish-honey tint.
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Earwax color
So, thanks to an ordinary ear stick, you can check the health of your ears, as well as the general condition of the body.
Here's what earwax color and consistency tell you about your health:
Brown:
Brown in various shades is not a sign of any health problems.
Brown earwax is the norm, experts say. In addition, the viscous, slightly sticky consistency also indicates that your ears are OK.
Black:
However, brown is not the only “normal” color. According to doctors, because ear wax is secreted by the skin glands, different skin types produce different types of wax.
In general, the ears of people with darker skin color tend to produce darker sulfur, experts say.
However, in some cases, black earwax indicates severe environmental pollution. For example, if you live near coal mines or your city's atmosphere is very polluted, you may find that your earwax is suddenly closer to black.
When it comes into contact with polluted air, sulfur oxidizes. This explains so much radical connotation that scares many.
In this case, there is no need to worry. But if the environment you live in is pretty good and environmentally friendly, then you should see a doctor.
White, dry and flaky:
As mentioned above, doctors say that different skin tones can produce sulfur of different colors.
In some people, this sulfur is white and has a light texture that is somewhat reminiscent of exfoliated skin.
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Experts say that this consistency is normal and does not indicate serious health problems.
Watery earwax:
And the watery liquid consistency of earwax is a clear signal that you urgently need to go to the doctor.
This may indicate an outer ear infection (otitis externa) or the situation may also be a sign that your eardrum has burst and your middle ear is leaking liquid.
As a rule, with otitis externa, a person experiences pain. But if the sulfur is watery, but at the same time, you do not experience severe pain, most likely, there is damage to the eardrum.
In any case, this is a reason to visit a doctor.
Green:
If green sulfur remains on the cotton swab, this is usually a sign of a more serious infection. Such a strange shade may indicate a middle ear infection, as well as a number of other serious diseases.
In the near future, you should consult a doctor who will begin immediate treatment.
Gray:
But the pale gray color of sulfur means a different type of infection. If you think that fungus can only occur on nails, you are deeply mistaken. The fungus can also appear in the ears.
As a rule, the fungus is characterized by a change in the color of earwax. It turns gray in color and has a soft texture, similar to feta cheese or pasta.
According to doctors, this type of infection is common, especially in summer after swimming in swimming pools or ponds. The symptoms of this infection are similar to otitis media and are usually caused by moisture entering the auricle.
Since the ideal habitat for any fungus is humidity, water entering the ear can trigger the appearance of fungus.
In this case, immediately consult a doctor who, after a thorough examination, will prescribe antifungal agents for you.
Bloody discharge:
Bloody discharge from the ear can be caused by several things. But any of these causes requires immediate medical attention.
Blood in the ear canal can indicate both a scratch and serious illness, as well as a sign of serious infections.
In addition, bleeding can trigger a sharp drop in pressure. Sometimes we see scuba divers diving from cliffs into large bodies of water or paratroopers jumping from great heights. Often, such a sharp drop in pressure causes the eardrums to rupture, and this can cause bleeding.
Bad smell:
Earwax in a healthy person does not have a pronounced odor.
However, when it comes to infection, the smell of sulfur changes. Doctors say that if it is a bacterial infection, you will smell a pronounced fishy smell. Fungal infections also “smell” specifically.
Absence of sulfur:
In some people, the ear glands produce sulfur in very limited amounts. It seems that this sulfur does not exist at all. However, do not sound the alarm, there is nothing wrong with that.
Excessive sulfur production:
On the other hand, doctors say that others produce this same earwax in very large quantities.
In this case, you may need the help of doctors to professionally gently clean your ears from excessive accumulation of sulfur. In this case, you should visit a specialist several times a year.
In addition, it should be understood that increased sulfur release may increase with age, as our ears become larger over the years, and therefore sulfur production is more active, than when I was younger.
Earwax color and your health