Your ear produces wax (cerumen) to protect itself. Wax and tiny hairs in the ear canal prevent small objects from getting inside the ear. The ear also has a clever self-cleaning mechanism. Old skin cells, wax, and dirt move naturally away from the eardrum toward the outer ear canal. Placing anything into your ear to clean it may cause ear damage. Instead, simply wipe regularly around the outer ear with a damp cloth. If something gets lodged in your ear, visit your doctor, who can prescribe over-the-counter eardrops to soften a wax build-up. Never attempt to remove the blockage in your ear.
caring for ears
November 7, 2008 By
