Earwax can sometimes be black.
This article discusses the causes and symptoms of black earwax and when you should see a doctor.
The ears are also self-cleaning, meaning any excess wax is moved out of the ear through jaw movements.
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In some cases, pushing wax back into the ear canal can cause it to become impacted.
Excessive wax buildup sparked by the glands in the ear producing more earwax than it can get rid of.
If you develop anAspergillusfungal infection in the ear, you may see black dots in the ear canal.
How Black Earwax Looks
Black earwax appears heavily compacted and dark.
Up to 6% of the U.S. population will develop impacted earwax at some point in their lives.
This method requires you to use two drops in the ear twice daily for up to five days.
Ear irrigationis another at-home method to remove black, impacted earwax.
Sometimes, using a combination of earwax-softening drops and irrigation works best.
This can be done either through at-home or with in-clinic methods by a healthcare provider.
OTC pain medications may help lessen the pain before treatment.
Before Trying At-Home Methods
Before trying any at-home methods, you should speak to a healthcare provider.
They will assess your impaction and earwax to determine whether an at-home removal method suits you.
You may also have to see an ENT for a proper diagnosis before proceeding with any treatments.
In-clinic treatment options include:
Can You Safely Remove Black Earwax Yourself?
There are at-home ways to remove black earwax yourself, as mentioned above.
Proper hygiene can prevent earwax buildup and impaction before the wax turns black.
That means avoiding cleaning your ears with cotton swabs or other tools.
They include:
These complications will need to be addressed by a healthcare provider.
Summary
Black earwax is typically not cause for concern.
That said, it often indicates earwax impaction, which may require medical treatment by the right healthcare provider.
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