Earwax removal may be necessary if the ear canal is blocked by wax. Under normal conditions, cerumen, or earwax, makes its way out of the ear without any help from you. When earwax is not naturally expelled and builds up in the ear, it can be...
If your infant seems to be itching or pulling on her ears, it's likely that she's just discovering them; however, in some cases, it can indicate that she's experiencing pain in the area. Babies less than a year old do not have the capacity to...
Swimming requires strength, endurance and stamina -- but ear plugs are optional. Ear plugs can protect your ears while swimming and can be especially useful for children who spend a lot of time in the water. They do, however, have a few drawbacks,...
Excessive earwax production can cause wax to harden in the ear canal, causing pain and irritation. This increases the risk for ear infection and hearing difficulty. Wax may also block the ear canal when improper ear cleansing pushes it farther...
Ears are naturally self-cleaning, and the wax, or cerumen, that they produce helps to keep the ear canal clean and dry. Most of the time, earwax is not a problem and should just be ignored. Sometimes, however, children experience a build-up of the...
Although ears play a key role in allowing people to interact with the world around them, most people usually don't notice their ears until they start developing problems. Dry ear canal skin is a seemingly mild problem that could arise from...
Having ear wax stuck in your ear canal can be irritating and even painful. Although ear wax serves the important function of protecting your ear canal from water and harmful bacteria, some people produce more ear wax than can be normally expelled...
Ear wax is normal and helps keep bacteria, dust and other particles from getting inside the ear. It also helps protect the fragile ear canal from water irritation. Ear wax typically falls out on its own or is cleared away by washing. From time to...
Water trapped in your ear can be more than just annoying. It can be the beginning of an ear infection known as swimmer's ear. Water entering your ear canal may bring bacteria with it from your skin that can cause an infection. Excess moisture in...
Your ears are one of the most delicate and complex parts of your body. While each morning may be part of your daily hygiene routine, the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery warns against cleaning ear wax too often. Your body...
Eczema is a general term for various skin irritation and swelling, according to the National Library of Medicine. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis. Eczema-like symptoms are more common in babies and young children and typically...
The ear has an external and internal portion separated by the eardrum. Several different conditions can cause irritation and itching to either portion of the ear canal. Some of these conditions include excessive earwax, allergies, eczema, insects,...
Swimmer's ear is an infection, irritation or inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal. Also called "acute otitis externa," this condition commonly affects people who spend a lot of time in the water or those with eczema or excess earwax....
Dry itchy ears can develop for a number of reasons, including skin disorders and psychological disturbances. According to Dr. Timothy Hain of the Chicago Dizziness and Hearing clinic, dry itchy ears can simply be the result of overcleaning, lack...
Glands in the external portion of the ear canal produce earwax, also referred to as cerumen. Functions of earwax include trapping bacteria that can cause an ear infection and coating the skin in the ear canal to prevent irritation. Earwax will...
The human body is an organic machine that takes in fuel, puts out waste and keeps itself clean in various ways. Ear wax is one of its self-cleaning methods, according to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. People do not always realize...
I love swimming. It's my favorite way to burn calories, trim inches and cool off during hot Texas summers. I really love the fact that swimming helps me get into shape without putting a whole lot of stress on my knees and ankles. The only thing I...
Tiny glands inside the ear canal produce a waxy substance called cerumen, which helps keep dust, microorganisms and bacteria from damaging the interior of the ear. In addition, the wax coats the inside of the canal to prevent irritation when water...
Blackheads are most often associated with the face, where there is a dense population of pores and oil glands, making it a prime area for breakouts. Even so, blackheads can also appear in the ears. They are no different than those that appear on...
Swimmer's ear, or otitis externa, is an infection, inflammation or irritation of your ear canal and outer ear. This common health condition causes discomfort and pain in swimmers of all ages, but most commonly affects children, teens and young...
Swimmer's ear is the common name for otitis externa, a painful infection of the outer ear. This is a common condition that results in approximately 2.4 million doctor visits and nearly half a billion dollars in health care costs annually in the...
Swimmer's ear, also known as otitis externa, is an infection or irritation of the external ear canal. Symptoms include pain, tenderness and itching of the external ear; you may also notice yellow or green discharge from the ear. While conventional...
Experiencing a plugged ear after swimming leaves many newbie swimmers wondering exactly what they did wrong in the pool. Plugged or blocked ears occur fairly regularly among swimmers of all skill levels. Learn the facts about how this common...
Body odor can have negative repercussions when you're around other people. Stinky ears can have many causes, but you can take a few steps to treat the condition and prevent further episodes. For chronic smelly ears with pain or itching, contact...
Earaches can be caused by many conditions, including bacterial infections, viruses, irritation inside the ear canal, excessive wax buildup, objects in the ear or trauma to the ear. Pain in the ears that is caused by viruses or temporary pressure...
Swimmer's ear is a term used to describe outer ear or ear canal discomfort caused by infection, irritation or inflammation. It is formally known as otitis externa. If you get treatment for this disorder, you can usually resolve your symptoms in a...
Ear infections once kept kids and adults from swimming, especially after a surgeon inserted tubes into their ears. Myringotomy -- ear-tube insertion -- is the most commonly performed surgical procedure for children, according to Surgery.com. A...
There are many reasons why your toddler's ears may be plugged. Most often, plugged ears are a result of a minor condition such as the common cold, earwax buildup or altitude changes. Occasionally plugged ears may indicate a more serious condition...
The two main parts of ears to get pierced are the lobe and the cartilage. Earlobe piercing is much less painful than cartilage piercing, with shorter healing times and no chance of rejection or migration. One of the most important aspects of any...
