User:Mr. Ibrahem/Earwax
| Earwax | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Cerumen |
 | |
| Wet-type human earwax | |
| Pronunciation |
|
| Specialty | Otorhinolaryngology |
| Symptoms | None, hearing loss, pain, dizziness[1] |
| Types | Dry, wet[2] |
| Risk factors | Hearing aids, earplugs[3] |
| Prevention | Mineral oil[3] |
| Treatment | Irrigation, agents to break down the wax, mechanical means[3] |
| Frequency | 6% (impacted wax)[3] |
Earwax, also known by the medical term cerumen, is a brown or gray waxy substance formed in the ear canal.[2] It protects the ear from infection, water, and insects.[3] While usually it causes no symptoms; excess amount can result in hearing loss, pain, or dizziness.[1] Complications may include otitis externa.[1]
Risk factors include using hearing aids and earplugs.[3] Ear wax is made up of skin cells and secretions from ceruminous and sebaceous glands.[3] Diagnosis is by looking in the ear with an otoscope.[3]
Earwax generally leaves the ears spontaneously.[3] In cases were symptoms result, removal can occur by irrigation, agents to break down the wax, or mechanical means.[3] Mineral oil may be used to prevent build up.[3] Cotton swabs and ear candling should not be used.[3] About 6% of people develop impacted wax, with rates over 30% in older people.[3] In the United States it results in about 12 million health care visits per year.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c McCarter, DF; Courtney, AU; Pollart, SM (15 May 2007). "Cerumen impaction". American family physician. 75 (10): 1523–8. PMID 17555144.
- ^ a b Horton, GA; Simpson, MTW; Beyea, MM; Beyea, JA (January 2020). "Cerumen Management: An Updated Clinical Review and Evidence-Based Approach for Primary Care Physicians". Journal of primary care & community health. 11: 2150132720904181. doi:10.1177/2150132720904181. PMID 31994443.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Sevy, JO; Singh, A (January 2022). "Cerumen Impaction Removal". PMID 28846265.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help)