Foods That Cause Ear Wax: All You Need to Know

Ear wax helps protect your ears from dirt, bacteria, and other foreign objects. It also lubricates and moisturizes your ear canal. However, ear wax can also build up and cause problems, such as hearing loss. Here you must know the foods that cause ear wax.

Depending on your sensitivity and metabolism, some foods may increase or decrease the earwax production in your ears.

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What is Ear Wax?

Ear wax is a yellowish-brown substance that is secreted by the glands in the skin of your outer ear canal. It comprises dead skin cells, sweat, sebum, hair, and other substances. Ear wax has several functions, such as:

Cleaning and coating your ear canal by trapping dust and debris
Slowing the growth of bacteria and fungi by creating an acidic environment
Protecting your eardrum from water, insects, and foreign objects
Lubricating and moisturizing your ear canal by preventing dryness and irritation

Understanding Ear Wax Production

The amount and type of ear wax you produce can vary depending on several factors, such as:

Genetics: Some people inherit genes that make them produce more or less ear wax or different types of ear wax.
Environment: Exposure to dust, pollution, humidity, or dry air can affect the amount and consistency of ear wax.
Age: Your ear canal becomes narrower and less elastic as you age, making it harder for ear wax to move out naturally.
Health: Certain medical conditions or medications can affect the production or drainage of ear wax.
Diet: Some foods can increase or decrease earwax production in your ears.

Does Your Diet Affect Ear Wax Build-Up?

Your diet can impact the amount and quality of ear wax you produce. Some foods can stimulate or inhibit the secretion of sebum, sweat, and other substances that make up ear wax. Some foods can also affect the pH level of your ear canal.

Here are some of the foods that cause ear wax build-up:

Gluten

Gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains. It acts as a binder and gives elasticity to baked goods. However, some people have an intolerance or allergy to gluten, which can cause inflammation in their digestive system.

This inflammation can also affect the glands in their ears, causing them to produce more or thicker ear wax. If you are sensitive to gluten, avoid foods that contain it, such as bread. You can choose gluten-free alternatives from rice, corn, quinoa, or other grains.

Dairy Products

Calcium and protein, vital for health, are abundant in dairy products. However, they also contain lactose, a sugar that some individuals find difficult to stomach.

Lactose intolerance can cause bloating, gas, diarrhea, and other digestive issues. It can also trigger more mucus production in your body, including your ears. If you are lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy products, limit your intake.

Caffeine

A stimulant, caffeine, increases your energy and alertness. It can be present in several medicines, energy drinks, and coffee.

However, caffeine can also increase your blood pressure and heart rate, affecting the blood flow to your ears. It can cause more sweat and sebum in your ear canal. You should reduce your intake if you consume too much caffeine or are sensitive to it.

Sweet Foods

Sweet foods such as candy, ice cream, soda, and chocolate are delicious treats that can satisfy your cravings. However, they are also high in sugar, raising blood glucose levels and causing an insulin response.

Insulin controls the production of sebum in your skin and blood sugar levels. Too much sebum might clog your pores, causing oily skin and acne. It can also cause more ear wax to be produced in your ears.

An Unhealthy Diet

An unhealthy diet can negatively impact your overall health and well-being. It can also affect the balance of your gut microbiome. Your gut microbiome is vital to your immune system, metabolism, and mood. It can also influence the production of earwax in your ears.

Sodium

Sodium helps regulate your fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve function. However, too much sodium causes water retention, increasing the pressure in your ears. It can lead to more ear wax production or fluid accumulation in your middle ear.

Fatty and Oily Foods

Fatty and oily foods such as fried foods and seeds are high in calories and fat, which can provide energy and essential fatty acids for your body. However, they can also increase sebum production in your skin, making it more oily and prone to acne.

Sebum can also accumulate in your ear canal and mix with dead skin cells and dirt to form more ear wax.

Maintaining Optimal Ear Hygiene

Besides avoiding the foods that cause ear wax build-up, you can also take steps to keep your ears clean and healthy.

Here are some tips on how to maintain optimal ear hygiene:

Gentle Cleaning

The best way to clean your ears is to let them do it naturally. Your ears have a self-cleaning mechanism that moves the ear wax out of the ear canal and onto the outer ear. You don’t need to use any tools or products to clean the inside of your ears.

You may only need to clean the inside of your ears when you have a medical condition that causes excessive ear wax production.

Ear Drops

Another way to soften or dissolve the ear wax in your ears is to use over-the-counter or homemade ear drops. These drops usually contain mineral oil, baby oil, or vinegar. You can apply a few drops of these substances to your affected ear and let them sit for a few minutes.

However, you should not use ear drops if you have:

A perforated eardrum
An ear infection
Ear pain or bleeding
Allergies or sensitivity to the ingredients
A history of ear surgery or injury

Regular Check-ups

One of the best ways to prevent earwax blockage and other ear problems is to have regular check-ups with your doctor. They can examine your ears and assess the amount and type of ear wax you have.

Doctors use professional tools or techniques, such as:

Suction: A small device that creates a vacuum and sucks out the ear wax.
Curette: A small metal or plastic instrument that scoops the ear wax.
Irrigation: A syringe or device that sprays warm water or saline solution into the ear canal and flushes out the ear wax.
Microsuction: A microscope and a suction device allow the doctor to see and remove the ear wax precisely.

These methods are usually painless and quick but may cause discomfort, dizziness, or temporary hearing loss.

You should see your doctor or an ear specialist if you notice any changes in your ears, such as:

Earache
Hearing loss
Ringing or noises in the ear (tinnitus)
The feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
Dizziness or balance problems
Cough
Itchiness in the ear
Odor or discharge in the ear
Pain or infection in the ear

Four Ways to Get Rid of Earwax

If you have mild to moderate earwax blockage and no other complications, you can get rid of it at home using natural remedies.

Here are four ways to get rid of earwax:

Olive Oil

Olive oil helps soften and loosen the ear wax in your ears. It can also moisturize and soothe your irritated skin.

To use olive oil for ear wax removal, you will need:

A dropper
A small bowl
A cotton ball
A towel

Follow these steps:

Warm olive oil in a small bowl until slightly above body temperature.
Lie down on your side with the targeted ear facing up.
Use a dropper to put two to three drops of olive oil into your ear canal.
Gently massage the outer part of your ear to help distribute the oil inside.
Put a cotton ball over your ear to prevent the oil from leaking.
Stay in this position for 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove the cotton ball and tilt your head to let the oil and wax drain onto a towel.
Repeat this process once or twice a day for three to five days until the wax comes out.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can help dissolve and break down the ear wax in your ears. It can kill bacteria and fungi that may cause infection.

To use hydrogen peroxide for ear wax removal, you will need:

A dropper
A small bowl
A cotton ball
A towel

Follow these steps:

In a small bowl, dilute some hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) with equal water.
Lie down on your side with the targeted ear facing up.
Use a dropper to put two to three drops of the diluted hydrogen peroxide into your ear canal.
You may hear some fizzing or bubbling sounds as the hydrogen peroxide reacts with the wax. It is normal and means that it is working.
Wait for 10 to 15 minutes until the fizzing stops.
Remove the cotton ball and tilt your head to let the hydrogen peroxide and wax drain onto a towel.
Repeat this process once or twice a day for three to five days until the wax comes out.

Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver is a liquid containing tiny silver particles suspended in water. It has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties to help prevent and treat ear infections. It can also help loosen and remove the ear wax in your ears.

To use colloidal silver for ear wax removal, you will need:

A dropper
A small bowl
A cotton ball
A towel

Follow these steps:

Warm up some colloidal silver (10 ppm solution) in a small bowl until slightly above body temperature.
Lie down on your side with the targeted ear facing up.
Use a dropper to put two to three drops of colloidal silver into your ear canal.
Gently massage the outer part of your ear to help distribute the colloidal silver inside.
Put a cotton ball over your ear to prevent the colloidal silver from leaking.
Stay in this position for 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove the cotton ball and tilt your head to let the colloidal silver and wax drain onto a towel.
Repeat this process once or twice a day for three to five days until the wax comes out.

Essential Oils

Essential oils have various health benefits. Some can help soften and remove the ear wax in your ears, such as lavender, tea tree, chamomile, and garlic oil. They can also soothe and heal irritated skin and prevent infection.

Five Methods You Should Never Use to Clean Your Ears

While there are some safe and effective ways to get rid of earwax at home, there are also some methods that you should never use to clean your ears.

Here are five methods you should avoid:

Cotton Swabs

Cotton swabs are one of the most common tools people use to clean their ears, but they are also one of the worst. Cotton swabs can push the ear wax deeper into the ear canal and cause impaction, leading to hearing loss, pain, infection, or damage to the eardrum.

Cotton swabs can also scratch or irritate the delicate skin of your ear canal and cause inflammation or bleeding.

Ear Candles

Ear candles are hollow cones of wax or fabric that draw out the ear wax. However, there is no scientific evidence that ear candles work or are safe. They can cause serious injuries, such as burns or candle wax stuck in the ears.

Instead of using ear candles, consult your doctor or an ear specialist if you have severe or persistent earwax blockage.

Q-Tips

Q-tips are similar to cotton swabs but have a plastic or wooden stick instead of a paper one. They are also designed for cosmetic purposes, such as applying makeup or removing nail polish, not for cleaning ears.

Q-tips can cause problems like cotton swabs, such as pushing the ear wax deeper into the ear canal and causing impaction, damage, or infection.

Water Jets

Water jets spray pressurized water into the ear canal to flush out the ear wax. They are usually attached to a shower head or a faucet. While water jets may seem convenient and easy to clean your ears, they can also be dangerous and ineffective.

Water jets can introduce water or bacteria into the ear canal and cause inflammation, swelling, or infection. They can also damage the eardrum or the middle ear structures if the water pressure is too high.

Sharp Objects

Sharp objects like bobby pins or needles are never a good way to clean your ears. They can easily puncture or tear your eardrum or the skin of your ear canal and cause bleeding. They can also push the ear wax deeper into the canal and cause impaction.

Instead of using sharp objects, you should avoid putting anything in your ears and seek professional help.

Tips for Keeping Your Ears Healthy

Besides avoiding the foods that cause ear wax build-up and using the proper methods to get rid of it, you can also follow some general tips to keep your ears healthy.

Here are some valuable tips for keeping your ears healthy:

Drink more water to stay hydrated and prevent dryness in your ears.
Eat a healthy and balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, and fats to support your immune system.
Avoid smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, as it can irritate your ears and increase the risk of ear infections.
Limit exposure to loud noises, such as concerts, fireworks, or machinery.
Keep your ears dry after swimming, showering, or bathing.
Avoid scratching or picking your ears, as it can damage your skin and introduce germs into your ears.
Avoid using headphones or earbuds for long periods.
Get regular check-ups with your doctor or an ear specialist to monitor your ear health and address any issues early.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Earwax Made Out Of?

Earwax is made out of a mixture of dead skin cells, sweat, sebum, hair, and other substances that are secreted by the glands in the skin of your outer ear canal.

What Deficiency Causes Ear Wax?

Some deficiencies that may cause excessive ear wax production are:

Vitamin A: This vitamin helps maintain healthy skin and mucous membranes in your body. It is found in liver, eggs, dairy products, and orange-colored fruits and vegetables.
Iron: This is a mineral that helps transport oxygen in your blood. It is found in meat, poultry, fish, beans, and spinach.
Magnesium: This mineral helps regulate nerve function and muscle contraction. It is found in nuts, seeds, whole grains, and green vegetables.

What Triggers Ear Wax Production?

Some triggers that may increase ear wax production are:

Stress: This psychological state can affect your hormonal balance and immune system. It can also cause you to sweat more and produce more sebum in your skin.
Allergies are immune reactions to substances that can cause inflammation and mucus production. They can also affect your ears and cause more ear wax to be produced.
Infections: These are caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi that can invade your body and cause inflammation and pus production. They can also affect your ears and cause more ear wax to be produced.

Can I Use Q Tips to Get Rid of Ear Wax?

You should not use Q tips or other objects to remove ear wax; they can push it deeper into the ear canal and cause impaction, damage, or infection. You should only use a soft cloth or tissue to wipe the outer part of your ear after showering or bathing.

Conclusion

Ear wax is a natural substance that helps protect your ears from dirt. However, sometimes it can build up and cause problems, such as earwax blockage or impaction. One of the factors that may influence the amount and consistency of ear wax you produce is your diet. Depending on your sensitivity and metabolism, some foods may increase or decrease the earwax production in your ears.

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