What causes wet earwax?
Wet earwax is commonly referred to as soft earwax or oily earwax.Some individuals have highly active ceruminous and sebaceous glands, producing a brownish-yellow, oily, viscous substance. This material accumulates in the outer ear canal before drying, sometimes even flowing out of the ear or forming clumps. Collectively termed soft earwax, it is commonly known as oily ears and medically referred to as cerumen oleosum.
Most people's ear canal secretions dry into flaky, slightly pale yellow crusts known as dry cerumen. A minority consistently produce oily or paste-like, viscous, dark brown material.The occurrence of oily earwax is linked to ethnicity and race. Among East Asians, including Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans, the vast majority have dry earwax. In contrast, 97% of Africans, Europeans, and North Americans have wet earwax, while South Asians are split evenly. Native Americans share the same earwax type as East Asians, likely stemming from migration across the Bering Strait from East Asia to the Americas.Research also indicates that individuals with wet earwax tend to sweat more and often have body odor, particularly under the arms. This is a primary reason for the flourishing perfume industry in Europe, determined by earwax genetics.East Asians may have evolved a "dry" type as a self-protective mechanism against cold, reducing sweating to the point where earwax dries out, eventually leading to genetic changes. Conversely, whether one's earwax type can indirectly indicate body odor remains unclear.
Another theory suggests that individuals with oily earwax invariably have body odor. What is the connection between oily earwax and body odor? This stems from the fact that most body odor sufferers have oily earwax. While not absolute, if there is a family history of body odor, oily earwax appears at a young age, and other organic ear canal conditions can be ruled out, vigilance is warranted regarding the potential for body odor development.
Clean earwax every two to three months for oily ears
Earwax isn't ear debris; it's a pale yellow, viscous fluid secreted by the ceruminous glands in the external auditory canal. It contains many unexpected components: amino acids, fatty acids, lysozyme, immunoglobulins, and more.It protects the outer ear canal epithelium, prevents skin dryness and cracking, and exerts antibacterial and germicidal physiological effects. It also blocks dust, small flying insects, and other particles from entering the outer ear canal, protecting the eardrum.
For individuals with oily ears—those who produce wet earwax more rapidly—it's generally best to clean earwax every two to three months. In dusty environments, clean more frequently as needed. Use a cotton swab to gently rotate at the entrance of the ear canal, then tilt your head downward to allow the wax to drain naturally. Avoid using sharp objects like fingernails or metal picks to dig in the ears.
Individuals with wet earwax who neglect long-term cleaning may develop earwax impaction, impairing hearing. In such cases, it's best to visit a specialist who can remove the impaction using specialized instruments. Following removal, consistently apply ear drops for 2-3 days to prevent infection.
Avoid unnecessary ear cleaning. Earwax typically sheds naturally and poses no risk of blockage. Daily jaw movements like chewing and opening the mouth create vibrations that dislodge and expel earwax.
Even if water enters the ear during activities like shampooing, bathing, or swimming, frequent cleaning with cotton swabs is unnecessary. For significant water accumulation, simply hop on one foot to gently shake out the water. For minor moisture, allow it to air dry naturally—no intervention is required.