The human body never ceases to amaze us with its functioning.
In fact, it is capable of sending signals to alert us of a condition or problem through the various organs and areas that make it up.
Did you know that our ears can tell us a lot about our health?
Indeed, in addition to hearing, the ears, like any other part of the human body, also require monitoring in order to take care of our health. One of the main indicators is the presence of earwax in the ear. It is a wax composed of fatty substances, amino acids, and minerals that protects the external auditory canal. Earwax has a very specific function: it helps prevent the penetration of pathogens and germs.
Therefore, when the consistency, color, and appearance of earwax changes, it is a sign of a health problem because the protective barrier of earwax has been compromised. To better understand how it works, here are 8 changes in earwax and what they mean:
Gray earwax
If you notice gray earwax in your ear canal, there are two possible explanations. It may be due to ambient dust from pollution, especially in large cities.
According to the book Guide to Hearing by Bruno Frachet and Émilie Vormés, earwax is genetically determined. For example, Asians and Native Americans have gray, dry earwax, while Caucasians and Africans have moist, honey-brown earwax.
Earwax with a touch of blood
If a cotton swab is placed in the ear and bloody earwax comes out, it means there is an ear hemorrhage, that is, blood leaking from the ear. The causes can be various, such as over-cleaning, a violent blow, an infection such as an ear infection, or even the presence of a tumor. In any case, immediate consultation with a doctor is recommended.
Brown earwax
If you notice brown earwax after cleaning your ears, the cause is likely overproduction of earwax. This means you’re feeling very tired and your body is fighting off invading germs and pathogens. Take care of your immune system with a varied and balanced diet, regular exercise, hydration, and adequate sleep.
