Earwax
| Earwax | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Cerumen |
 | |
| Wet-type human earwax | |
| Pronunciation |
|
| Medical specialty | Otorhinolaryngology |
| Prognosis | prevalence |
Earwax (also known as "cerumen" or "spuds") is a sticky substance like wax produced by the ears. Most of the time it is yellow, orange, brown, black or gold. The earwax sticks to dust and other foreign matter that gets in the ears and keeps the ears clean. It also protects the skin of ear[verification needed] and protects the ear from insects, water, fungi and bacteria (foreign materials).
Some people try to remove earwax, which may damage the eardrum. The movement of jaws helps to clean the earwax naturally. This makes the ear "self cleaning".