What causes an overproduction of earwax?

Excessive earwax may be caused by the shape of an individual’s ear, ear trauma, scar tissue, water buildup, improper removal methods, and high amounts of ear hair. Older individuals are also more likely to have higher amounts of earwax.

Does lupus cause excessive earwax?

There are several health conditions that cause buildup earwax: Infectious disease like “the swimmer” ear. Autoimmune disease like lupus. Too much water collection in the ear canal.

How do I stop producing so much ear wax?

Preventing earwax buildup begins with keeping the earwax soft so your body can naturally remove it.

1. Fill an eye dropper with mineral, olive, or baby oil.
2. Tilt your head to position the affected ear toward the ceiling.
3. Apply a few drops into the ear canal.

What autoimmune disease affects the ears?

Some autoimmune disorders that can affect the ear include Cogan’s syndrome, relapsing polychondritis, polyarteritis nodosa, Wegener’s granulomatosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, ulcerative colitis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.

What is swimmer ear?

Swimmer’s ear (also known as otitis externa) is a bacterial infection typically caused by water that stayed in the outer ear canal for a long period of time, providing a moist environment for bacteria to grow. Anyone can get swimmer’s ear, but it is most often seen in children.

What gland produces ear wax?

The ceruminous glands in the skin of the human external auditory canal are modified apocrine glands, which, together with sebaceous glands, produce the cerumen, the ear wax.

What is superior canal dehiscence syndrome?

Superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS) is caused by an abnormal opening between the uppermost semicircular canal in the upper part of the inner ear and the brain. The condition causes problems with hearing and balance.

What is mixed deafness?

Mixed hearing loss has elements of both conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. This means there is damage to both the outer and inner ear. The outer ear cannot conduct sound properly to the inner ear, and the inner ear can’t process the sound to be sent to the brain.

What is Cogan’s syndrome?

Cogan syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease that affects the eyes and inner ears. Symptoms of the syndrome include irritation and pain in the eyes, decreased vision, hearing loss , and vertigo. Other symptoms may include joint or muscle pain or inflammation of the blood vessels.

What is AIE disease?

Autoimmune Enteropathy (AIE) is a rare condition characterized by intractable diarrhea, histologic changes on small intestinal biopsy, failed response to dietary manipulation that also may present with extra-intestinal manifestations. In many patients, immunosuppressive therapies are necessary.

What causes excessive earwax production?

The excessive production of earwax may be due to several causes. Some may cause pain and inflammation as a sign of an underlying medical condition. 1. Ear Perforation Ear perforation occurs when the thin and delicate membrane tissue that makes up the eardrum is damaged.

What happens if you have too much wax in your ear?

The wax helps protect your canal from water, infection, injury, and foreign objects. But too much wax buildup can cause problems. This buildup is called impacted earwax. Special glands in your ear make secretions that combine with dead skin cells to form earwax.

What are the symptoms of impacted earwax?

These are the most common symptoms of impacted earwax: 1 Hearing loss 2 Earache 3 Sense of ear fullness 4 Itching in the ear 5 Dizziness 6 Ringing in the ears 7 Cough More

Why does earwax get harder as I get older?

As you get older, earwax tends to become harder and less mobile. Older adults are more likely to have problems with too much earwax. It can cause symptoms such hearing loss. It can also prevent a full exam of the ear. What causes impacted earwax? Earwax buildup happens when your ear makes earwax faster than your body can remove it.