Earwax might not be a common topic, but it’s very important in keeping the ears healthy. Also called cerumen in medical terms, earwax can protect the ears by trapping dust, dirt, and even little bugs. It also prevents bacteria and fungi from entering the ear canal. Most people don’t notice, but earwax acts differently depending on how much hydration is in the body and the surrounding climate.
For instance, during the winter months, the ears are drier, but humid months leave them more moist. You might notice that after being outside on a hot day, your ears feel different. All these changes depend on the weather and hydration.
Earwax Is More Than Just Wax
Before looking at how hydration and weather affect the ear, it’s best to understand what earwax really is. It consists of secretions from glands in the ear canal, mixed with dead skin cells. This sticky substance causes a natural barrier that protects the delicate lining in the ear.
The body normally moves earwax out slowly over time. As a person talks, chews, or moves their jaw, the earwax eventually moves out, flaking off or getting washed away during showering.
Weather Changes Can Influence Earwax
Changes to the weather can change how much wax the ear makes or how it behaves. During cold weather, when the air is dry, the ear canals lose their moisture. This makes wax thicker or harder, making the ear feel blocked or full. Some also notice that their ears itch more during winter because of the dry skin or hard wax.
Then, during the warmer and humid months, the wax in the ear will be softer. Humidity keeps the ear canal moist, allowing the wax to move out easily. However, too much moisture leads to problems. If water enters the ear and mixes with soft wax, it won’t drain out properly, making the ears feel plugged or plugged up.
Hydration Supports Healthy Earwax
Just like the skin and joints, the ears benefit from regular hydration. Drinking a lot of water helps the body stay balanced and stops the ear canal from getting dry. If the body is dehydrated, the glands will produce earwax, which will slow down or create drier wax.
Dry wax usually sticks to the walls of the ear and moves out less easily. This can cause it to build up, especially for someone wearing earbuds or hearing aids constantly. Staying hydrated will offer a good level of moisture, ensuring that the wax is soft and easily moves out.
Environmental Conditions Play a Bigger Role Than Expected
People who live in environments that have dry climates or high altitudes will notice that their earwax acts differently from those staying in coastal or tropical regions. In dry areas, earwax dries fast and will be hard to remove. All the wind, dust, or even dry air makes it worse, causing the wax to be trapped.
But in a humid environment, the ears will feel too moist. Although the wax is soft, it can still become trapped. That’s why swimmers or people who work in wet places get ear-related discomfort.
When to Seek Help for Wax Issues
Most times, earwax takes care of itself. But it’s easy to notice that something is wrong when there are symptoms like the ears feeling plugged, difficulty hearing, ringing, or discomfort in the ear, all of which mean they are blocked.
Trying to clean the ear with a cotton swab will even make it worse, pushing the wax in deeper. It can make the wax compacted and difficult to remove instead. In this case, one needs to work with a hearing health professional to ease the symptoms.
Keeping Earwax in Check Through the Seasons
When the seasons change and affect hydration levels, the body finds ways to adapt, and so do the ears. By knowing how earwax responds to seasonal changes, one can handle issues before they become worse.
After noticing cases of frequent earwax buildup or any other discomfort in the ears, it’s best to get some help from a hearing health professional. Taking action on time will prevent minor hearing issues from becoming worse.