Ear Wax or Swimmer

Ear Wax or Swimmer<br /><br />Ear Wax Blockage<br /><br />Ear wax keeps dust and small bits of debris from entering your inner ear. Eventually ear wax makes it way to the outer portion of your ear, where you can remove it by washing. Although the ear is self cleaning, some people routinely clean their ears with cotton swabs. While using a swab may remove ear wax, it may also push wax deeper into their ear canal, causing a blockage of the canal. The infection, also called otitis externa, develops when water is trapped in your ear after you swim, bathe or sweat. Bacteria or fungi may also enter your ear through small cuts that can occur when you clean your ear with cotton swabs, scratch your ear or wear headphones. If you have a wax blockage, you may experience tinnitus, a condition that causes noises or ringing in the ear. During the initial stage of swimmers ear, your ear canal may itch, look slightly red or pink and may discharge fluid. If you have swimmers ear and pull on your ear lobe, you may experience pain. Placing warm water in the ear from a syringe or bulb may also help dislodge the impacted wax. The National Institutes of Healths Medline Plus website warns against using this method if you think your ear drum could be ruptured. Irrigating your ear when you have a ruptured ear drum could cause injury or an ear infection. Your doctor can remove impacted wax that you are unable to remove at home.