The color and texture of your earwax can tell a lot about your health. Just like most body fluids, earwax isn’t often talked about. But the stuff inside our ears can give us some interesting information about our health and how our bodies work.
The purpose of earwax is to protect the hollow hole in our ear canals from bacteria and debris. It’s our body’s way of keeping bad stuff out and trapping dead skin cells. With the help of wax, our ears stay clean, healthy, and working well. The wax is made up of long-chain fatty acids, squalene, and alcohol.
If you use a cotton swab, be careful not to put it into your ear canal. You could damage your eardrum.
Here are some examples of different wax colors and what they mean for your health.
- Yellow, wet, and sticky
This is the most common type of wax for adults. The wet and sticky texture helps keep the ear canal from drying out and getting itchy. - Gray
Gray earwax might look strange, but if you see it on your cotton swab, don’t worry. It’s usually just a result of the ear’s natural cleaning process. But if the wax is dry and brittle and your ear is itchy, it could be a sign of eczema. If you notice these symptoms, it’s best to see a doctor. - Pale yellow
This color is common for kids. Kids tend to produce more earwax than adults, but as they get older, the production slows down. - Sticky and dark
If the wax is darker than normal, it means the body is sweating more than usual. The darker the wax, the more likely the extra sweat will cause body odor. But it’s still completely healthy. - Dark and thick
Anxiety and stress can make our bodies produce more earwax. Heavy sweating can also lead to more earwax, which can block the ear canal and cause temporary hearing loss. If you notice your earwax is dark and thick, make sure to clean your ears regularly to avoid problems. It’s also a sign that you might want to find ways to reduce stress in your life. - Dry, white, and flaky
This is a normal and healthy type of earwax. People with this kind of wax usually have less body odor than those with dark earwax. - Black or dark brown
Dark brown or black earwax can be scary, but don’t worry. The dark color might be because there’s too much wax (like when we’re stressed). It could also mean the wax has been in the ear for a long time. When it’s removed, the increased contact with oxygen makes it darker. - Wet and runny
It’s normal for earwax to come out of our ears sometimes. It’s part of the natural cleaning process. But if a lot of wax comes out with pus or blood, it’s a sign of a perforated eardrum. In this case, get medical help right away. - Bloody wax
Old earwax can sometimes look like dried blood. If you notice this, get medical attention. It could mean you have a perforated eardrum.
As you can see, earwax comes in many colors, and most of them are healthy even if they don’t look it. So the next time you clean your ears, take a close look at that dirty cotton swab. It might make you feel uncomfortable, but it’s a good way to find a problem and deal with it before it gets worse.
