Title: Common Issues with Ear Health and Proper Ear Cleaning 1. Earwax and Its Significance: The sticky substance found in the ears, known as earwax or cerumen, is a mixture of sweat gland secretions, skin flakes, and fatty acids. Its color and consistency can vary among individuals. While some individuals may have oily earwax, others may have dry, flaky earwax.

Both types are normal and primarily determined by the ABCC11 gene. 2. Relation Between Oily Earwax and Body Odor: The ABCC11 gene also plays a role in body odor, including a condition called axillary osmidrosis or body odor. Excessive sweating due to this gene variation can result in a stronger odor. However, having oily earwax does not necessarily mean one will have body odor.

Body odor is influenced by various genetic and environmental factors. 3. Itchy Ears and Possible Conditions: Itchy ears can be caused by various factors, such as earwax accumulation, mite infestation, or bacterial and fungal infections.

If the ears frequently itch without any visible discharge, it may indicate the presence of bacterial infection, fungal infection, or an allergic reaction.

4. Consequences of Improper Ear Cleaning: Regularly digging and cleaning the ears with cotton swabs can have negative consequences.

It can lead to excessive earwax production, earwax impaction, damage to the eardrum, and increased risk of ear infections. To promote ear health and prevent complications, it is recommended to seek professional help for ear cleaning.

If experiencing discomfort, individuals should wash their hands, soak a sterilized cotton swab in warm water, gently dry it, and use it to clean the outer ear without inserting it into the ear canal.