The human body never ceases to impress us with the way it works. In fact, it is capable of sending signals to warn us of a condition or problem through various organs and areas that constitute it. Besides, did you know that the ears can tell a lot about our state of health?
Indeed, beyond their hearing function, the ears, like any other part of the human body, must be monitored to take care of our health. In fact, one of the major indicators of this is earwax. It is a wax composed of fatty substances, amino acids and minerals to protect the external ear canal. Earwax has a very specific role given that it helps fight against the intrusion of pathogens and germs.
So, when its texture, color and appearance change, this indicates a health problem because the protective barrier that is earwax has been affected. To understand more about how this works, here are 8 changes in earwax and their meanings:
Gray earwax
If you notice the presence of gray earwax on your cotton swab then two types of explanations are possible. It could be the surrounding dust caused by pollution, especially in big cities, or your genetics. Indeed, according to the Hearing Guide by Bruno Frachet and Émilie Vormés, earwax is genetically determined. For example, Asian and Native American people have gray and dry earwax while Caucasians and Africans have honey-brown and moist earwax.
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Earwax with traces of blood
When you pass a cotton swab into your ear and it comes out with earwax containing traces of blood, this indicates the presence of otorrhagia, or discharge of blood emanating from the ear. Several causes are possible such as vigorous cleaning, a violent shock, an infection such as otitis or even the presence of a tumor. In all cases, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional quickly.
Brown-colored earwax
If you notice brown-colored earwax after cleaning your ears, it is probably due to an overproduction of earwax. This indicates that you are facing significant fatigue and your body is fighting against the invasion of germs and pathogens. Make sure you take good care of your immune system by eating a varied and balanced diet, practicing regular physical activity, hydrating yourself properly and getting quality sleep.
Black earwax
The presence of black earwax generally indicates an overproduction of earwax in order to fight against the invasion of a germ or pathogen. However, if this is associated with discharge and itching, a medical professional should be consulted as it may be a fungal infection.
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