Let’s Talk About Ear Wax: Your Body’s Built-In Cleansing System That Want’s You to Stop Digging

People often see ear wax as something dirty or unnecessary — something to scrub out — when in reality, it’s there to protect you. Your ears are self-cleaning, self-regulating little ecosystems. That golden waxy substance is your body’s natural moisturiser, dust filter, and antibacterial barrier — all in one.

So, What Is Ear Wax?

Ear wax (or cerumen) is a mix of sebum (oil), sweat, dead skin cells, and protective secretions from glands inside your ear canal.

It’s sticky on purpose — it traps dust, bacteria, and small particles before they can travel deeper toward your eardrum.

Then, thanks to your jaw movements (chewing, talking, yawning), that wax slowly migrates outward, carrying the debris with it. You don’t actually have to do much — your ears are quietly cleaning themselves every day.

Good or Bad?

Mostly good. Ear wax is like your skin’s natural oil — vital in the right amount, irritating in excess.

A small layer keeps your ear canal lubricated and protected from infection. Too little wax and the ear becomes dry, itchy, and more prone to irritation.

Too much, and it can harden, block sound, or press on the eardrum, leading to fullness, ringing, or temporary hearing loss.

So it’s not about getting rid of ear wax — it’s about keeping the system balanced.

When to Clear Your Ears (and When Not To)

This is where most of us go wrong.

Your ear canal is delicate — cleaning too often or using the wrong tools can do more harm than good.

✅ When you can clear them:

• If wax is visibly at the entrance of your ear and you can gently wipe it away with a damp cloth.

• If you notice mild muffling or blockage and have been advised by a professional to use drops.

• After swimming or showering, when wax softens and naturally loosens.

🚫 When not to:

• Never insert cotton buds, hairpins, or anything deep into your ear canal — they push wax further in.

• Don’t attempt to clean if you have ear pain, discharge, or a perforated eardrum.

• Avoid over-cleaning; stripping the canal of wax removes your protective barrier.

Your ears will usually take care of themselves — interfering too much disrupts the process your body’s already doing brilliantly.

Can You Get a Cold from Cleaning Your Ears Too Much?

Not directly — but yes, over-cleaning can make you feel more vulnerable to cold-like symptoms.

Your ears, nose, and throat are connected through a shared drainage system (the Eustachian tubes).

When you strip your ear canal of its natural wax, you remove the barrier that helps protect against bacteria and moisture. That leaves the area dry, irritated, and more open to minor infections or inflammation — which can feel like the start of a cold: pressure, blocked ears, slight ache.

Aggressive cleaning can also let in water and bacteria, sometimes leading to swimmer’s ear (otitis externa), which mimics cold symptoms with ear congestion or muffled hearing.

So while ear cleaning doesn’t cause a cold virus, it can lower your local defences — making your ears and sinuses more reactive, and you more likely to feel “under the weather.”

Bottom line: gentle, minimal care is best. Your body’s already designed to manage this naturally.

Ear Drops & Home Care

If you have mild build-up, ear drops can help soften wax so it moves out naturally.

Look for olive oil, sodium bicarbonate, or hydrogen-peroxide based drops — simple and safe when used as directed.

Warm the bottle slightly in your hands before applying (cold drops can make you dizzy), and lie on your side for a few minutes to let them soak in.

Never use candle treatments or syringes at home — leave irrigation or microsuction to professionals if drops don’t help after a few days.

How to Keep the Balance

Ear wax isn’t dirty; it’s design. A quiet, intelligent system that rarely needs help. So before you reach for the cotton buds, remember: your body’s already got a plan. Sometimes the best care is letting it do what it’s made to do, however, you can help to keep the balance.

• Cotton buds are the main reason for impacted wax — they compact it deeper, drying and hardening it against the eardrum.

• Chewing gum can actually help your ears clear themselves — jaw movement assists natural migration of wax outward.

• Avoid cleaning deeper than you can see.

• Use ear drops every few weeks if you’re prone to wax build-up.

• Keep ears dry after swimming.

• If you use earbuds or hearing aids, give your ears a few “free air” hours each day.

• Don’t panic about a little visible wax — it’s your natural defence.

• Some people naturally produce more wax — genetics, narrow ear canals, hearing aids, and earphones can all contribute.

Excess wax can cause itchiness, discomfort, tinnitus, or mild vertigo.

• Professionals can assess the canal safely and remove excess wax under direct vision — no poking required.

Love from Fallon, with intention xox

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