Characteristic

Serumen prop or wax impaction is a condition that may occur if you rarely or incorrectly clean your ears. This condition is usually caused by a buildup of dirt that blocks your ear canal. What causes the impaction of ear wax? How can the impaction of wax be treated?

What is serumen prop (impaction serumen)?

Earwax, also called wax, is produced by the body to protect the ears. Ear wax or wax looks like a yellow waxy liquid and has a sticky texture

Under certain conditions, wax can cause blockage of the ear canal which can lead to hearing loss. This condition is known as the serumen prop or the impaction of the serumen.

This kind of blockage can sometimes also cause pressure in the ear, decreased hearing ability, and a feeling of buzzing.

What are the symptoms and characteristics of serumen prop (impaction)?

The following are the symptoms and characteristics of serumen prop:

• There is a ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Ear pain
• Difficulty hearing, which may continue to get worse
• Itching sensation in the ear
• The smell comes from the ears
• Headache

What causes cerumen prop (kerumen impaction)?

The wax in your ears is produced from glands in the skin that line the outside of your ear canal. The wax and tiny hairs in this area trap dust and other foreign matter which can damage the deeper ear structures.

In most people, a small portion of the wax can come out on its own. However, if you remove an excessive amount of wax or clean your ears in an inappropriate manner, the wax can clog up and lead to ear problems.

In addition, prop wax can also occur due to cleaning the ears with tools, for example, cotton buds. Ears that are often cleaned and scraped too deep can push the remaining wax deeper. Ear wax or wax that gets deeper into it will accumulate in the ear canal, forming a lump and eventually hardening.

The lumps of hardened earwax are made little by little and will become a lot, many people do not realize this. Earwax lumps, usually only known after causing a disturbing effect in the form of irritation or complaints in your ears.

What are the treatment options to treat impaction of wax?

When you experience problems caused by wax, the doctor or specialist will usually take several steps to treat the impact on the ear. Quoted from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the following methods can be used to get rid of prop cerumen:

1. Serumenolytic

Serumenolytic or cerumenolytic is a liquid solution that can help thin, soften, break down, and / or dissolve prop cerumen. Serumenolytics are usually water or oil based.

Typical ingredients that are usually used in water-based cerumenolitics are:

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Acetic acid
• Docentral sodium
• Sodium bicarbonate

Meanwhile, common ingredients in oil-based cerumenolytics usually consist of:

• Peanut oil
• Olive oil
• Almond oil

These ear drops are usually available without a doctor's prescription. It is recommended that you put five drops in one to two times a day for seven days.

Meanwhile, cerumenolytic that requires a doctor's prescription is carbamide peroxyada. It is recommended that you apply 5-10 drops, twice a day, for four days. These drops work by releasing oxygen to soften and push the wax out of the ear and have an antibacterial effect.

2. Irrigation

Irrigation is another way to remove prop wax safely and effectively. The fluid that helps the wax leave the ear via this method consists of:

• Just warm water
• Mix warm water and hydrogen peroxide in a 50:50 ratio

The fluid is put into a syringe and discharged into the ear canal. The catch basin will be placed under your ear. This method is relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain, but the results may cause minor ear trauma.

In addition, irrigation can also be given by mouth or orally. This method is relatively fast and cheap. However, oral irrigation can also cause trauma to the ear, such as perforation of the tympanic membrane or eardrum.

3. Manual release

Manual removal of prop cerumen is carried out using a metal or plastic circle or spoon. This method can increase the risk of infection of the ear canal by not using any moisturizer.

However, this method has a lesser risk of rupturing the eardrum, especially if you can work together while the health worker does this method.

How to treat wax impaction with home remedies?

Home remedies for serumen prop are common. The treatment options listed above are available with or without a prescription.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, do the steps below to deal with serumen prop independently:

• Soften wax by dropping a few drops baby oil, mineral oil, glycerin, or hydrogen peroxide in your ear canal.
• When the wax has softened, put warm water in the ear You slowly. Remove the wax by tilting your head and pulling your outer ear back and forth to straighten the ear canal. Then, tilt your head to get the water out.
• After it finishes, dry your ears with a towel or hairdryer.

You may need to repeat the steps above to make sure the prop wax is out of your ear. If symptoms do not improve with home remedies, consult your doctor.

Over-the-counter earwax cleaning kits are also effective at removing impaction. Talk to your doctor about how to select and use the right earwax treatment method for your condition.