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Recurrent Wax Secretion From Ear With Pain Since Childhood. Any Permanent Solution For This?
Question: There is excess wax secretion in my ear. After every 1-2 yrs my ear starts paining. then i go to doctor for cleaning my ear. I have been facing this problem from 4th standand.
Previously it had to go cleaning wax from my ear every 4 yrs but over a period of time i have to go more frequently. Is there any permanent solution for this?
Previously it had to go cleaning wax from my ear every 4 yrs but over a period of time i have to go more frequently. Is there any permanent solution for this?
Dear XXXXXXX
Hello I am Dr Ravinder Sharma ENT surgeon. On the basis of the information provided I would like tell you that your problem could be because of
1. Dry wax. The wax can be moist or dry. Moist wax usually poses no problem and extrudes out of the ear canal easily. The movement of jaw wjile chewing actually facilitates removal of wax by itself. Dry wax gets deposited and is difficult to remove
2. Narrow external auditory canal - If the ear canal is narrow, the removal of wax becomes a problem as the wax collects in the deeper part of ear canal and due to narrow canal it do not extrudes out by itself. These cases require a surgery to widen the ear canal -- meatoplasty. This is a minor surgery and can be done under local anaesthesia . It is done by post aural approach(incision behind the ear) and the narrow part of canal (bony part) is drilled to make more space in the ear canal
3. Oily skin - People with oily skin are more prone to have problem of wax in ear as there is excessive production of wax.
I feel that examination in your case by a competent ENT surgeon can resolve the issue. One of the above could be a reason and it would be appropriate to consult and Otolaryngologist(ENT surgeon).
This will help us in reaching to the cause of your problem. Once we get a cause it can be treated.
I hope this answers your concern. Do let me know if you need any more help.
With warm regards
Ravinder Sharma
Hello I am Dr Ravinder Sharma ENT surgeon. On the basis of the information provided I would like tell you that your problem could be because of
1. Dry wax. The wax can be moist or dry. Moist wax usually poses no problem and extrudes out of the ear canal easily. The movement of jaw wjile chewing actually facilitates removal of wax by itself. Dry wax gets deposited and is difficult to remove
2. Narrow external auditory canal - If the ear canal is narrow, the removal of wax becomes a problem as the wax collects in the deeper part of ear canal and due to narrow canal it do not extrudes out by itself. These cases require a surgery to widen the ear canal -- meatoplasty. This is a minor surgery and can be done under local anaesthesia . It is done by post aural approach(incision behind the ear) and the narrow part of canal (bony part) is drilled to make more space in the ear canal
3. Oily skin - People with oily skin are more prone to have problem of wax in ear as there is excessive production of wax.
I feel that examination in your case by a competent ENT surgeon can resolve the issue. One of the above could be a reason and it would be appropriate to consult and Otolaryngologist(ENT surgeon).
This will help us in reaching to the cause of your problem. Once we get a cause it can be treated.
I hope this answers your concern. Do let me know if you need any more help.
With warm regards
Ravinder Sharma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Doctor,
Thanks for information.
Yes the wax that gets collected is dry wax.
Then i usually use some drops to somethen that wax.
But i was wondering that it only happens to me.
is there any way to avoid collection of dry wax in my ear?
Thanks for information.
Yes the wax that gets collected is dry wax.
Then i usually use some drops to somethen that wax.
But i was wondering that it only happens to me.
is there any way to avoid collection of dry wax in my ear?
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back.
The possible cause of collection in ear canal can be determined after clinical examination by an ENT surgeon.
If the canal is narrow, you will need a surgery to widen the ear canal
To avoid accumulation of wax, I would suggest the following:
a. Repeated gentle cleaning with ear buds in outer part of ear canal -- once to twice a week
b. If the wax is deposited and blocking the ear canal -- you will need wax softeners for 2 to 3 days and cleaning of ear canal under direct vision with a fibreoptic light source, microscope or suctioning of ear canal or syringing.
As the wax characteristics and the anatomy of the ear canal is different in different individuals, it is common in cases with a narrow canal or excessive wax secretion or if the wax deposits are dry.
I hope this answers your concern. Do let me know if anything else is required from my side
With regards
Ravinder Sharma
Thanks for writing back.
The possible cause of collection in ear canal can be determined after clinical examination by an ENT surgeon.
If the canal is narrow, you will need a surgery to widen the ear canal
To avoid accumulation of wax, I would suggest the following:
a. Repeated gentle cleaning with ear buds in outer part of ear canal -- once to twice a week
b. If the wax is deposited and blocking the ear canal -- you will need wax softeners for 2 to 3 days and cleaning of ear canal under direct vision with a fibreoptic light source, microscope or suctioning of ear canal or syringing.
As the wax characteristics and the anatomy of the ear canal is different in different individuals, it is common in cases with a narrow canal or excessive wax secretion or if the wax deposits are dry.
I hope this answers your concern. Do let me know if anything else is required from my side
With regards
Ravinder Sharma
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Aparna Kohli
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