Gray or black earwax usually means there is a buildup of dust in the ear or impacted earwax. If you are experiencing hearing loss, this could be a sign of impacted earwax. Your doctor can safely remove the blockade and provide you with tips on how to prevent this in the future.
A black piercing hole is a sign of improper jewelry. People will react differently to different materials - but most will agree that stainless steel piercings are the highest quality to avoid the black areas. Cheaper materials will cause argyria.
The gunk you're referring to is sometimes called ear cheese. It's a mixture of dead cells, bacteria, sweat and oils that accumulate because of natural bodily processes and a lack of exfoliation in the area.
Instead, soak a cotton ball and drip a few drops of plain water, a simple saline solution, or hydrogen peroxide into the ear with your head tilted so the opening of the ear is pointing up. Keep it in that position for a minute to allow gravity to pull the fluid down through the wax.
The ear is self-cleaning. No routine maintenance is required. If you're inserting swabs into your ears to remove earwax or prevent its buildup, think again. Earwax is produced within the ear canal and naturally migrates from deeper inside to outside.
Gently wash your piercings with a mild, fragrance-free soap and water at least once a day. Thoroughly rinse your piercings after washing them.
DO NOT pick the crusties off—that's just introducing your dirty hands to a healing piercing and can increase your risk of infection. The best way to clean them is to soak the piercing in warm saline solution, softening the crusties which then come off easily.
If you've had an ear or nose cartilage piercing, small lumps can sometimes form around the piercing. The lumps, called granulomas, are trapped fluid. You can treat them by soaking a pad in warm water then holding the pad against them once a day.
Earring holes can start to smell due to a buildup of sweat, dirt, and bacteria. To prevent this, clean your earrings regularly with soap and water. Additionally, switch out your earrings every few days to give your ears a break and reduce the bacteria that builds up around the hole.
You might recognize the description even if you are not familiar with the term: ear cheese is the icky, brownish-gray gunk that builds up on your earring posts and backs, especially on the rubberized backs or clear plastic bit over the backing. “Ear cheese” is natural and is just a part of having pierced ears.
"Tight and larger earring backs can accumulate more sweat and sebum, as well as make it more difficult to clean or wash when in the shower," says Dr. Patel, who points out that those big plastic backs are major culprits for gathering funky gunk.
Crustiness, on the other hand, is the buildup of seepage that results from the body trying to heal the piercing as it would any other wound. Typically these are light or near-colorless and should reduce as the piercing, and healing process, matures.
That stuff is likely dirt combined with the natural discharge (shedding skin, dirt, oil) from the piercing. This gunk can oxidize and turn black. You should pretty much be able to push it out using an earring, or a needle.
Ear piercing can cause scabs on the ear due to infection. If the piercing is on the lobe and the ear gets infected, there can be scabbing. A keloid or abscess can also occur. If the piercing is on the cartilage, this takes a longer time to heal because this area doesn't have blood vessels or nerve cells.
The general rule is to avoid wearing earrings while sleeping, with the exception of when you get a new piercing. You will need to keep these small studs in place for 6 weeks or so, or until the piercing heals.
It is advisable to take your favourite earrings off from time to time to let your ears “breathe”. The reason behind this is that your earrings could trap dirt and bacteria (or shampoo) if you leave them on 24/7, which can lead to infections.
An infected ear piercing can also develop years after a person got the original piercing. Usually, the infections are minor, and people can treat them at home without complications. Touching the piercing too often with dirty hands or not cleaning the area can lead to infections.
If you don't clean your ears for years, earwax, also known as cerumen, can accumulate in the ear canal. The earwax can harden and become impacted, which can cause a blockage in the ear canal.
If left untreated, excessive earwax may cause earwax impaction symptoms to worsen. These symptoms might include hearing loss, ear irritation, tinnitus and other issues. A buildup of earwax might also make it difficult to see into your ear, which may result in potential issues going undiagnosed.
If you're still wondering if ear wax removal is painful? the answer is no. It's a safe and effective treatment that's done in around half an hour, and it doesn't require any special medication or anaesthesia to deal with pain or discomfort. In fact, you'll hardly feel anything at all.
Allergies, head colds, pregnancy, and air pressure are some common reasons it may feel like your ears are full. Typically, plugged ears settle after a few days. Decongestants and nasal sprays are the best treatment for plugged ears that allergies and head colds cause.
Once the wax is loose and soft, all that is usually needed to remove it from the ear canal is a gentle, warm shower. Direct the water into the ear, then tip your head to let the earwax drain out. Use a towel to gently dry your ear. If the warm mineral oil and shower do not work, use an over-the-counter wax softener.
Normal wet earwax is usually yellow, brown or orange. Dry earwax is typically gray or white. Earwax in children tends to be lighter in color.