Ear wax: physiology
Ear wax (cerumen) is a physiological body secretion naturally found in the ear canal. It serves a protective function: not only does it keep ear canal sufficiently lubricated, it is also part of the ear’s self-cleaning mechanism. Under physiological conditions, ear wax is removed from the ear canal; however, when this mechanism fails, ear wax builds up and forms a plug. Wax buildup is not associated with poor personal hygiene, but is most often caused by improper use of ear swabs or by objects regularly placed in the ears, such as earphones or hearing aids.
Ear wax: the consequences [1]
A buildup of ear wax has a number of consequences, including:
- obstructing the doctor’s view of the eardrum,
- abnormal hearing loss measurement (not related to ear wax),
- discomfort and dizziness,
- development of infection.
Cerumenolytics
Currently, specialists are increasingly recommending the use of cerumenolytics for ear care. These are oil- or water-based preparations that work to soften and help remove ear wax residue from the ear canal. Ear wax is a fatty substance, so according to the principle that
like dissolves like, good effectiveness should be expected when using lipophilic preparations, based on oils.
Olive oil
Olive oil is a natural suggestion that works well as a cerumenolytic. The product is commercially available in the medical device category with a simple and safe composition. Olive oil lubricates the ear canal while enhancing the ear’s natural self-cleaning process. Great for preventing water from entering the ear while swimming in the pool or on summer trips, protecting against the development of inflammation. A clear ear canal is also less likely to cause infection.
The medical device Oliwa do ucha na bazie oliwy z oliwek [Olive oil based Ear Drops] can be used for ear hygiene in children from 3 months of age, as well as in adults. The product is also safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The dosing system with a specially shaped cap is optimally adapted to gently spray the product into the outer ear canal; it also prevents the dosing device from being inserted too deeply into the ear.
References
[1] Aaron K, Cooper TE, Warner L, Burton MJ. Ear drops for the removal of ear wax. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Jul 25;7(7):CD012171. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012171.pub2. PMID: 30043448; PMCID: PMC6492540.
Author
R&D Department, Curtis Health Caps
