Important: This information is intended for general guidance only. If you are concerned about the health of your ears, always ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse for advice.

What causes ear wax?

Ear wax production is a natural process. The wax is produced by tiny glands in the skin which line the ear canal. The layer of wax produced is important in maintaining cleanliness and helping to protect against infection.

In most people, this thin layer of wax breaks down naturally into tiny flakes which are then lost from the ear. This creates room for the fresh wax which is constantly being produced. For the majority of people, this process will continue almost unnoticed for many years.

When ear wax becomes a problem

Some people produce large quantities of ear wax, which can build up and cause a blockage in the ear. This problem is made worse in those cases where the ear canal is narrow and curved, which makes it difficult for the old wax to flake out of the ear.

Excess wax can build up to form a solid plug in front of the ear drum. As the blockage continues to grow, the first symptom is usually a feeling of irritation and fullness in the ear. This can become painful and cause dizziness and some loss of hearing if left untreated.

At this stage, the temptation to try to remove the wax using a cotton bud, or similar device, must be resisted. This will only make the condition worse and may cause serious damage to the ear.

Remember, the condition is quite common. It is usually simple and painless to treat - and certainly nothing to worry about. Problem ear wax is just a minor nuisance which, for some, has to be faced every few months.

Treating problem ear wax

If an ear is giving cause for concern, always seek medical advice. A doctor will be able to see whether hardened ear wax is present by looking into the ear using an instrument called an otoscope.

The use of special wax-removing ear drops, such as Otex, may then be appropriate. Otex Ear Drops are available directly from UK pharmacies without the need for a prescription.

Traditional wax-removing ear drops work by softening the wax plug which should then be released from the ear. More advanced formulations, like Otex Ear Drops, work by softening and breaking down the wax into small pieces which can then be lost from the ear more easily. In many cases, this can avoid the need for syringing. Treatment with ear drops usually takes 3 to 4 days, after which an improvement in hearing may be noticed, along with a reduction in the discomfort felt in the ear. Do not 'plug' the ears with loose cotton wool during the treatment period.

In some cases, the wax may have become so hardened that ear drops alone are not sufficient to clear the ear canal. In these cases, your doctor should be consulted for further advice.

Sometimes it may be necessary to remove the ear wax with the help of syringing, although clinical trials have demonstrated that the use of Otex Ear Drops reduces the need for this.

Ear Syringing

Having your ears syringed is usually a quick and painless procedure which, in the majority of cases, will be carried out by either a doctor or a nurse. Syringing involves introducing a controlled jet of lukewarm water into the ear canal. It is possible to feel and hear the water moving inside the ear as it washes the wax away. The wax may already have been softened and loosened if you have previously used ear drops. After syringing, a very slight dizziness is sometimes experienced, but this should quickly subside and a significant improvement in the quality of hearing should follow. This improvement may temporarily be masked by any residual water left in the ear canal, but swallowing two or three times will help overcome this.

Important: When using wax-removing ear drops, always read the label and directions.

Caring for your ears
Many of us take our hearing for granted and do not appreciate the importance of caring for our ears - until problems occur. Our ears not only allow us to hear properly, they also play an essential role in helping us to maintain correct balance.

Keeping your ears clean
It is important to keep the ears clean. Use of a cotton bud is a good way to reach around the contours of the outer ear. However, care must be taken not to push the cotton bud, or any other object, into the canal which leads to the ear drum. The ear drum is very delicate and any damage will impair hearing.

Cleaning right inside the canal leading to the ear drum is not only potentially harmful, it is actually unnecessary as the ear has its own cleaning system - the production of ear wax.