Earwax is produced in the outer ear canal. The skin in the outer ear canal has special glands, producing earwax. The
specific name for this
sticky substance is cerumen. After the wax is produced it slowly makes its way through the outer ear canal to the opening of the ear. Then it either falls out or gets removed when you wash. In most people the outer ear canal makes earwax all the time, so the canal always has enough wax in it.
But why do we need wax? Earwax has several important jobs. First it protects and moisturizes the skin of ear canal, preventing dry, itchy ears. Secondly, it contains
special chemicals that fight off infections that could hurt the skin inside the ear canal. Finally, it acts as the shield between the outside environment and the eardrum. When dust, dirt and other harmful things enter your ear, the earwax traps them so they cannot travel any further.
If you want to get rid of earwax, here’s what you need to do: nothing! Most people do not need to do anything special to remove earwax. If you wash your hair regularly, this is enough to keep your ears clean.
You can clean the outside of your ear with a washcloth but do not use a cotton swab, your finger, or anything else to poke around in your ear to remove earwax. Your ear canal and ear drum are very delicate, and you may hurt them or cause bleeding by trying to get rid of the wax this way. Poking around in your ear can also push and pack the wax in further.
In some people, one or both ears make extra wax. If this is your case, consult a doctor who may prescribe medicines that are placed in the ear to get rid of the extra wax.