What your earwax colour and texture reveal about your health, according to science

Researchers say earwax may help detect infections and certain systemic diseases without invasive tests. (Image: Pexels)

• Earwax composition and color can indicate infections and systemic diseases.
• Earwax analysis may help detect diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Researchers develop earwax tests for disease diagnosis.

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Earwax or cerumen is one of the most under-researched bodily secretions, which could be due to its gross appearance that no one really likes to talk about. Yet it is finally getting the kind of attention it should, as scientists are uncovering its connection to conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

Earwax is basically a mix of secretions from the ceruminous and sebaceous glands that line the outer ear canal. These secretions combine with dead skin flakes, debris, and hair and form the waxy material. It is transported through the skin cells from inside the ear to the outside.

The main function of earwax is to protect the ear canals and keep them lubricated. But it also helps prevent bacteria, fungi, and unwelcome particles from entering the body. New scientific discoveries have shown that the composition and colour of your earwax says a lot about your health.

Also Read: Want to clean your ears? Just don’t use cotton swabs

According to Medical News Today, normal earwax colours include

• Off-white to yellow: fresh earwax
• Yellow to orange: fresh earwax
• Darker orange: sticky, flaky, older earwax that has picked up debris
• Orange to brown: thick, sticky, very old earwax
• Pale orange: dry, old earwax

And here’s when your earwax colour signals a problem

• Yellow to green: pus-like discharge from an ear infection
• Green: foul smell indicates a serious ear infection
• Wax with streaks of blood: scratch, injury, or bug, but in the ear canal, ruptured eardrum if discharge is wet and runny
• Grey: buildup of dust or other particles in the ear
• Black: wax buildup, impacted earwax

Indicator of health problems

According to a BBC report, earwax is a definitive indicator of certain systemic diseases like maple syrup urine disease. It can be detected by earwax, which contains a compound called sotolone that can help identify the problem quickly, without the need for a genetic test.

Besides, earwax can also help detect conditions such as Covid-19, type of diabetes, and also certain heart diseases, though blood tests are considered the easier way.

When it comes to detecting patients with Ménière's disease, earwax composition, with lower levels of three fatty acids, confirms the diagnosis. It is a faster and more accurate process. Not just this, earwax can reveal a person’s health as it reflects metabolic processes happening inside the body, which means it can indicate illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.

Also Read: Ear pain relief: A simple guide to managing ear pain at home

Since earwax concentrates a wide range of metabolic substances more effectively than blood or urine, it is useful for long-term health monitoring. Hence, researchers are developing the cerumenogram, a diagnostic test that analyses earwax to detect disease-related metabolic changes.

A 2019 study identified 27 compounds in earwax that could predict the presence of certain cancers in the body, though not its type. Ongoing research suggests earwax analysis may also detect early, pre-cancerous metabolic changes and neurodegenerative diseases. The cerumenogram is already being used in a Brazilian hospital for cancer diagnosis and monitoring.

FAQs on link between ear wax and overall health

1. How is earwax related to overall health?

Earwax can provide insights into systemic diseases and metabolic processes, indicating conditions like diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.

2. Can earwax composition diagnose specific diseases?

Yes, earwax composition can help diagnose diseases such as Ménière's disease and maple syrup urine disease, and it may reveal early signs of other conditions.

3. What does the colour of earwax indicate?

The colour of earwax can signal different health issues, from infections to metabolic changes, depending on whether it is yellow, green, grey, or black.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.