Sulfur is a substance produced by special glands located in the middle ear. It consists of various elements, the most important of which is the liquid secret. It covers the surface of the inner ear, protecting, cleansing and moisturizing it.
Any deviations from the norm associated with insufficient or excessive excretion, as well as with a color change, can be signals of the development of diseases or disorders. Therefore, it is important to contact a specialist in a timely manner.
Causes of sulfur accumulation
You can often hear that sulfur in the ears is dirt that needs to be cleaned. This statement is erroneous. Of course, hygiene is a prerequisite for health. But with regard to sulfur in the ears, excessive zeal here will not bring the right effect.
Sulfur removal occurs independently. It is all about the structure of the ear and the movement of the bones of the lower jaw, which promote the separation of the secret to the entrance to the auditory canal. Ear hygiene comes down to washing it with a soap solution.
Ear sticks can do harm. Due to the fact that they penetrate deeply, thereby pushing sulfur deeper. With ear sticks, if you are careless, you can damage the eardrum. You need to be especially careful when cleaning your child’s ears so as not to damage the poorly developed hearing aid and bones.
Reasons for poor sulfur separation
Sometimes it also happens that at the auditory canal for a long time sulfur does not accumulate at all. This is not a good sign. The reason for this may be:
- wearing headphones frequently;
- use of a hearing aid;
- use ear plug.
Such a careless attitude can cause sensations such as:
- itching
- feeling of stuffiness;
- temporary or partial deafness.
Special remedies and drops can cope with these problems. In cases where the ailment appeared as a result of age-related changes, the doctor can choose the necessary remedy for correction.
If there is a lot of sulfur ...
Sometimes it happens that sulfur is released in large volumes, causing concern. When a lot of sulfur is formed in the ears, this may say:
- About exacerbation of dermatitis.
- About high blood cholesterol.
- About the frequent presence of foreign objects in the ear.
- About frequent presence in places with increased pollution and dust.
- About stressful situations when all glands begin to work actively.
Signs of cork
If it so happened that a sulfuric plug formed in the ear, it is better to refuse independent actions, trusting specialists. The main signs of cork are:
- poor hearing
- itching, pain and discomfort in the ear;
- feeling of overcrowding in the ear.
Soften cork at home
In such a situation, it is immediately necessary to clean the ear canal from the plug by washing, and before that it is necessary to soften the sulfur plug.
For this:
- In a sitting position, tilt your head and drip a few drops of peroxide or liquid paraffin into your ear.
- After a few minutes, you need to tilt your head again so that the fluid can flow out. In especially difficult situations, the procedure is carried out several times a day.
- After complete softening, the sulfur cork leaves on its own.
Ear washing. Step-by-step instruction
If a decision is made to rinse the ear, then it is done in stages using water no higher than 37 0 C. How to do everything right? About this further:
- Water is drawn into a special syringe with a rubber tip in a volume of 100-120 milliliters.
- Water with a jet directed upwards is injected into the problem ear with an additional extension of the auricle.
- After that, the head is tilted towards the affected ear and the fluid is allowed to drain.
- Additionally, processing is carried out using tightly twisted cotton swabs.
- After the procedure, a swab soaked in boric acid is placed in the ear.
Although the most effective way to get rid of cork is to use a special apparatus. It is called an irrigator. Its use is a more effective way to get rid of cork with a minimum risk of injury to the eardrum.
Dry cleansing methods
How to clean your ears from sulfur yet? Along with methods that use different liquids to clean the sulfur cork, there are dry methods. Let's look at them:
- Using an aspirator, which by creating a pressure difference removes the cork, pumping it out.
- The second method may require anesthesia. Since a special device is introduced, which removes the cork. The procedure is carried out using a microscope.
When the question is about the child, it is better to exclude independent actions and turn to the ENT doctor in time, who will select the appropriate procedure.
What triggers the formation of traffic jams?
An important point is the factor that provokes the formation of cork. This is affected by:
- Use of foreign objects to clean the ear: matches, hairpins, toothpicks and more.
- A natural feature of the internal structure of the ear.
- Improper ear hygiene.
- Frequent moisture in the ear canal.
- Repeated inflammation of the inner ear.
Lack of sulfur. Why could this be?
Despite the seriousness of the problem of an excess of sulfur, its lack is also an alarming signal. This may indicate:
- age-related changes;
- abnormal bone growth in the inner ear as a result of abnormalities;
- excessive smoking;
- violation of the glands.
Sulfur color
Unfortunately, problems with sulfur arise not only because of its surplus or lack. Color changes can also be a signal of concern. So, earwax usually has a tan color.
If brown, black or dark forms, it is important to know:
- Completely yellow sulfur with white clots indicates that a purulent process is occurring in the ear. This release may be accompanied by high temperature. Treatment is selected only by a doctor. Since therapy includes antibiotics and other potent drugs.
- If sulfur has turned black against a background of ongoing itching, this may indicate a disease provoked by a fungus. Treatment is also prescribed individually by the doctor.
- Gray color should not cause panic, especially if a person lives in a metropolis. Most often, this color is associated with the dustiness of the environment.
- A lack of vitamins and specific substances may indicate a white color of secretions.
If sulfur in the ears has a liquid consistency, then this indicates an inflammatory process. In the case of a dry structure - this indicates a lack of fat in the body. That is, you must definitely pay attention to nutrition.
Sulfur in the ears of the child. Problems in children
If everything is clear with how to determine the sulfur plug in an adult, then what about a child who still cannot tell about obvious symptoms? In this case, it remains only to observe the baby. That is, if he behaves uneasily, often scratches the ear region, and when you click on the area of entry into the auditory canal, he begins to cry, this definitely indicates the need to see a doctor.
Sometimes a child’s ear pain is associated with the appearance of the first teeth. But if this factor is excluded, then treatment occurs according to the same principle as in an adult. In order to prevent the formation of sulfur plugs in babies, hygiene is very important. At the same time, it is carried out using dry cotton buds with a special limiter twice a week. The use of washes up to one year is not allowed.
It is very important to understand that the correct formation of sulfur is the key to a healthy ear not only for adults, but also for children. After all, it protects against dust, dirt, germs and viruses. It is thanks to her that allergens do not penetrate into the ear. Therefore, it is very important in case of deviations from the norm, timely contact a specialist in ear diseases - ENT.
Little conclusion
Now you know what sulfur is, why it appears. We also talked about what a change in its color may mean. In addition, the reasons for the deficiency or excess were considered. Regarding how the removal of sulfur from the ears should occur, it is described in detail in the article.