Black earwax indicates the presence of a lot of wax accumulation inside the ear, and the inability of the ear to get rid of earwax as it should, and in this article we will talk about the causes that lead to the appearance of black earwax and how to treat it.

Causes of black earwax

It is known that the natural color of earwax is yellow or orange-brown, and the black color of earwax does not indicate a lack of attention to personal hygiene, but there are a number of common reasons that lead to the appearance of earwax in black, including:

1. Earwax buildup

Black earwax is a sign of wax accumulation in the ear canals for some time, and this occurs because the glands secrete a large amount of wax, or because the ear is not able to get rid of this wax as it should, which results in the accumulation of wax, dryness and turning black.

2. Foreign objects

The use of cotton buds, headphones, earplugs, or hearing aids increases the likelihood of black wax formation, because these foreign bodies push the wax back into the ear and prevent it from coming out. Over time, earwax buildup may lead to symptoms such as ear pain, dizziness and hearing loss.

3. Gender and age

Older people are more likely to get black earwax, especially men. With age, earwax production decreases but becomes thicker, causing it to build up faster.

When should a doctor be consulted?

The appearance of black earwax is not a cause for concern, but in the event of other symptoms accompanying this wax, you should visit a specialist, and these symptoms include:

black earwax treatment

There are a number of treatments that help get rid of the buildup of black earwax, including:

1. Ear drops

Ear drops can be used that help soften the wax accumulated inside the ear, such as using hydrogen peroxide drops or natural oils such as olive oil, or using baby oil or glycerin, and it is preferable to shower after applying the ear drops, which facilitates the removal of wax from the ear.

2. Ear washing

Ear washing can be done at home by following these steps:

• Use a rubber syringe and put warm water in it, or mix warm water with a few drops of volatile oil or hydrogen peroxide.
• Tilt the head in a position suitable for the entry of water through the rubber syringe, at the entrance to the ear canal.
• Gently spray water into the ear and then drain it outside the ear.
• Repeat the same steps if the other ear is infected.

Important noticeIt is necessary to consult a specialist doctor, before washing the ear at home in case of a previous problem of ear blockage with wax, and to ensure that there is no infection with a perforated eardrum.

3. Medical treatment

If home remedies do not work or are accompanied by pain, you should consult a specialist who may use some treatment methods to treat black earwax, and these methods include the following:

• Ear washing using specialized medical tools, to clean the ear from the accumulated wax.
• Use a suction tool to remove the wax.
• Use a method called an earwax scoop.

Prevention of black earwax

The ear is one of the body’s self-cleaning organs, and the best way to prevent earwax buildup is not to use cotton buds or other means to clean the ear, in order to avoid pushing the wax into the ear instead of draining it, because the wax is naturally drained during bathing and jaw movement, for example. example.

In the case of earwax accumulation, the specialist doctor prescribes some medications, which help reduce the percentage of wax and make it soft, so that it is easy to drain out of the ear naturally.