Summary about Disease
Impacted cerumen, commonly known as earwax blockage, is the buildup of earwax in the ear canal to the point where it causes symptoms or prevents proper examination of the eardrum. It's a very common condition and generally not serious.
Symptoms
Symptoms of impacted cerumen can include:
Earache
A feeling of fullness in the ear
Hearing loss
Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
Dizziness
Cough
Itching in the ear
Odor from the ear
Pain
Causes
The primary cause is the overproduction or accumulation of earwax beyond what the ear can naturally clear. Contributing factors include:
Narrow or unusually shaped ear canals
Using cotton swabs, earbuds, or other objects to clean the ears (which can push wax further in)
Age (earwax tends to become drier and harder with age)
Hearing aids or earplugs (which can block the natural migration of earwax)
Overproduction of cerumen.
Medicine Used
Treatment typically involves softening or removing the earwax. Common remedies and medications include:
Cerumenolytics (Earwax Softeners): Mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide (Debrox, Murine Ear Wax Removal).
Irrigation: Flushing the ear canal with warm water using a syringe.
Manual Removal: A healthcare professional may use special instruments like a curette, suction device, or forceps to physically remove the impacted wax.
Is Communicable
No, impacted cerumen is not communicable (it cannot be spread from person to person).
Precautions
Avoid using cotton swabs or other objects to clean your ears.
If you have a history of ear problems, consult a healthcare professional for earwax removal.
If you use earplugs or hearing aids, clean them regularly.
If you experience symptoms of impacted cerumen, seek medical advice rather than attempting to remove the wax yourself.
How long does an outbreak last?
The duration of symptoms depends on the severity of the impaction and the method of treatment. Once the earwax is removed, symptoms typically resolve quickly (within hours to a day). Without treatment, symptoms can persist indefinitely.
How is it diagnosed?
Impacted cerumen is diagnosed through a physical examination of the ear canal using an otoscope. The doctor will visualize the ear canal and eardrum to assess the presence and extent of the wax blockage.
Timeline of Symptoms
The onset of symptoms can be gradual or sudden, depending on how quickly the earwax accumulates:
Gradual: Slowly worsening hearing loss, feeling of fullness over days or weeks.
Sudden: Abrupt hearing loss, dizziness, or earache, often after attempting to clean the ears.
Important Considerations
Individuals with diabetes, weakened immune systems or ear tubes should seek professional care for earwax removal.
Attempting to remove earwax yourself, especially with sharp objects, can cause injury to the ear canal or eardrum.
If symptoms persist after home treatment, consult a healthcare professional.
Recurrent earwax impaction may warrant evaluation for underlying causes or preventative strategies.