Impacted Wax or Cerumen

Subject: Medical and Surgical Nursing II (Theory)

Overview

Although earwax is a substance that naturally forms in the ear canal, it can cause discomfort or hearing loss if it accumulates to the point where it obstructs the canal. When used excessively to clean the ear, cotton swabs like Q-tips can actually push wax and skin cell debris deeper into the canal and pack it against the eardrum, causing symptoms. In the ear canal, insects can also fly or crawl. This typically occurs when sleeping on the ground or outside.Due to the insects' loud buzzing and movement, which can occasionally be painful, this is frequently a frightened and dramatic event. The most frequent ear issue, earwax blockage or impaction affects about 6% of people. It happens when wax is forced deep into the ear canal. diagnosed by first observing the otoscope in the ear and then paying attention to the patient's symptoms The doctor may use a curette, a tiny plastic spoon, to remove the wax, or they may irrigate the ear with warmed water, saline, or other eardrops with prescription strength.

Impacted wax or cerumen

The glands in the outer ear canal produce earwax, also known as ear wax and cerumen in medical terminology. Its function is to catch dust and other small particles and keep them from getting close to an eardrum where they could potentially get damp. Normally, the wax dries up and comes out of the ear with any debris or dust that was lodged there.

Although ear wax is a naturally occurring substance in the ear canal, it can cause discomfort or hearing loss if it accumulates to the point where it clogs the canal. When used excessively to clean the ear, cotton swabs like Q-tips can actually push wax and skin cell debris deeper into the canal and pack it against the eardrum, causing symptoms.

In the ear canal, insects can also fly or crawl. This typically occurs when sleeping on the ground or outside ( for example , camping). Due to the insects' loud buzzing and movement, which can occasionally be painful, this is frequently a frightened and dramatic event.

Causes

  • The most frequent ear issue, earwax blockage or impaction affects about 6% of people. It happens when the wax is forced deep inside the ear canal.
  • The use of Q-tips in the ear canal (as well as other objects like bobby pins and rolled napkin corners) is the most frequent cause of this because it forces the wax deeper into the ear canal.
  • Users of earplugs and hearing aids are also more likely to experience earwax blockage.

Symptoms

Several symptoms, such as the following, can be linked to earwax blockage:

  • Reduced hearing
  • Dizziness
  • An earache
  • A feeling of obstruction, fullness, or ringing in the ear may also occur.

Diagnosed

Diagnosed by observing the patient's ear with an otoscope and paying attention to their symptoms

Medical intervention

The doctor may use a small plastic spoon called a curette to remove the wax, or he or she may irrigate the ear with warmed water, saline, or other eardrops with prescription strength.

 

 

 
Things to remember
  • Although earwax is a substance that naturally forms in the ear canal, it can cause discomfort or hearing loss if it accumulates to the point where it obstructs the canal.
  • When used excessively to clean the ear, cotton swabs like Q-tips can actually push wax and skin cell debris deeper into the canal and pack it on the eardrum, creating discomfort.
  • In the ear canal, insects can also fly or crawl.
  • This typically occurs when sleeping on the ground or outside ( for example, camping).
  • Due to the insects' loud buzzing and movement, which can occasionally be painful, this is frequently a frightened and dramatic experience.
  • The most frequent ear issue, earwax blockage or impaction affects about 6% of people. It happens when wax is forced deep into the ear canal.
  • Diagnosed by first observing the otoscope in the ear and then paying attention to the patient's symptoms ( ear- scope). The doctor may use a curette, a tiny plastic spoon, to remove the wax, or they may irrigate the ear with warmed water, saline, or other eardrops with prescription strength.
Questions and Answers

Ear wax is a naturally occurring substance in the ear canal that can become a problem when it clogs the ear canal and causes hearing loss or pain. When cotton swabs, such as Q-tips, are used to clean the ear, they can push wax and skin cell debris deeper into the canal and pack it against the eardrum, causing symptoms.

  1. Blockage or impaction of earwax occurs when the wax gets pushed deep within the ear canal, earwax blockage affects about 6% of the people and is the most common ear problem.
  2. The most common cause of this is the use of Q-tips in the ear canal(and other objects such as bobby pins and rolled napkin corners), which pushes the wax deeper into the ear canal.
  3. Hearing aid and earplug users are also more prone to earwax blockage.

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