Many people ask questions: what is sulfur in the ear, where does it come from and is its formation harmful. The normal functioning of the human body is capable of self-purification. This is especially noticeable in the auditory canals, in the skin of which there are sebaceous and sulfur glands. When we play sports or physical activity, sweat appears on the body, which is a consequence of the load and frees the body from excessive stress. The same thing happens with the ear canals. When we talk, chew food, cough or sneeze, our ears form sulfur. Sulfur in the ear is not dirt, but a protective cover.
What it is
The ears, or rather, the glands contained in them, secrete a secret. Sweat, particles of the epidermis, sebum, mixed with this secret, ultimately form sulfur in the ear. Such secretions are extremely important for the protection of the human auditory apparatus; they perform the functions of adaptation to external stimuli. Thanks to sulfur, the ear is protected from getting wet when water gets in, and from penetrating various infections. The consistency, color of sulfur depends on the state of health of the organism as a whole.
Earwax Composition
Sulfur is produced in the ear canal 24 hours a day in amounts up to 0.02 mg. It consists of fats (lanosterol, cholesterol), antibacterial substances, sweat, mineral salts and fatty acids. In addition, particles of ear skin and hair fall into the composition.
Possible causes of education
Sulfur in the ear is formed not only as a result of natural processes in the human body, but also from improper care. Ears, like other parts of the body, need regular washing. But the main thing here is not to overdo it and perform this procedure every day. Otherwise, sulfur will not have time to form, and the auditory canal will lose its protection. Well-known cotton buds should also not be used in hygiene procedures. They are irritating and lead to increased secretion, are the reason why there is a lot of sulfur in the ears. Inadequate use of a cotton swab can entail not cleaning the channel, but pushing sulfur inward, which will lead to the formation of a sulfur plug. In addition to the above, increased secretion occurs in inflammatory processes, dermatitis and eczema.
Often the human ear is anatomically constructed so that the sulfur output is difficult. Which leads to blockage of the channel. Risk factors also include hearing aids, headphones, and dusty environments. If the discharge fills the entire auditory canal, this leads to hearing loss. As, for example, with water. The presence of a sulfuric plug near the eardrum causes a strong pressure on it and, as a result, a headache, nausea.
Types of Earwax
Sulfur is necessary for the auricle. This is not just a selection, but a secret with many useful properties.
- It clears the ear canal.
- Prevents the penetration of pathogenic infections inside.
- Protects from dust and dirt.
- Protects from drying out.
- Prevents water from entering the canal.
There are several types of sulfur:
- black sulfur in the ears;
- red;
- dark brown;
- dry
- white
- liquid.
Consider each view in more detail.
Black
Black sulfur in the ears is produced due to damage to the ear glands by the fungus. This is not the only sign of the disease. A person begins severe itching, hearing is impaired. Also, the black color indicates damage to the body by complex proteins - mucoids.
Red
If the ear canal is damaged by mechanical action (for example, scratched), the blood clot may, when mixed with sulfur, give it a dark color. In this case, you should visit a doctor who will diagnose and prescribe treatment. Shades of red, burgundy or orange discharge are most often observed when taking antibiotics that have a therapeutic effect in the inflammatory process.
Dark shade
If sulfur is not black and not red, as indicated above, but simply has a dark color, then this does not always indicate the presence of any disease in the body. Work in dusty rooms, a genetic predisposition - these are the first reasons for the darkening of the secret. Shades from light sand to dark brown are allowed. Unless the discharge is accompanied by other painful symptoms: itching, burning, pain, fever. The latter can talk about the inflammatory process.
Gray
Gray sulfur in the ear most often appears due to dust entering the ear canal. It is she who gives this color. In large cities, in areas and districts constantly blown by the winds, this color is the norm for residents. If any of the painful symptoms described above are absent, there is nothing to worry about.
Dry
If the sulfur in the ears is dry, then this indicates the development of skin diseases such as dermatitis, emphysema. Also, a decrease in viscosity is associated with insufficient intake of fat. The consistency in this case is brought back to normal by adjusting the diet. A few percent of the likelihood of dry sulfur occurring may be due to genetic mutations in the body. In the European part, the number of such people reaches no more than 3%.
Excess sulfur
Why is there a lot of sulfur in my ears ? It has already been indicated above how approximately the amount of sulfur is produced per day. But it happens that her output is several times greater. This condition is called hypersecretion. At the same time, a person may complain of a feeling of increased humidity in the ear, the appearance of moist greasy spots on bedding or a hat.
Why is a lot of sulfur in the ears produced, what are the causes of hypersecretion?
- This can be covered in a disease of chronic dermatitis, which is expressed in red spots throughout the body or in its individual areas. With such a disease, a large amount of sulfur can be found in the ear canal. To eliminate it, you must consult a doctor who will prescribe treatment.
- In order to determine the possible cause of the excess amount of sulfur formation, you can take tests to check the level of cholesterol. It is he who, exceeding the permissible amount, serves simultaneously as an occasion for hypersecretion. Since cholesterol is a constituent element of sulfur.
- A lot of sulfur in the ears of a child happens because of a fashionable hobby for listening to music on headphones. In adults, the reason is the use of hearing aids or ear plugs. These foreign bodies lead to constant irritation of the nerve endings in the auditory canal, stimulation of secretion and an increase in its secreted amount.
- Work in constant stressful conditions, in dirty, dusty rooms also stimulates increased secretion. Even if a person just sweats, more sulfur will be released than in a normal condition.
- More than usual, there is ear discharge during pregnancy, there is a lot of sulfur in the ears of the child, especially in the newborn. This is due to improper hygiene or damage to the canal.
Treatment
Incorrect, uneven secretion can lead to clogging of the channel - the formation of a sulfur plug. Symptoms of sulfur in the ears, the causes of its formation - all of this we have examined in detail. Sometimes a person himself becomes a cause of trouble. For example, using a cotton swab incorrectly pushes sulfur deep inside and closes the ear canal, causing the formation of a sulfuric plug. Fortunately, its removal is not difficult. It is enough to consult a doctor who will do an ear wash or prescribe special drugs. If the cause of hearing loss lies in the presence of diseases of a different nature, then you also need to establish their cause and undergo treatment.
It is important to remember prevention, hygiene and precautions. It is necessary to regularly clean the auricles, but do this with great care, trying not to damage the ear canal, to prevent foreign objects from getting into it. Try not to get involved in listening to music on headphones that irritate nerve endings.