Ear Wax Does Not Contain Insecticide

Our ear wax may seem like a gross point of discussion, but it's an important part of our body for a number of reasons. 

Though at one point scientists suspected that our ears contained repellents like bactericide, insecticide and natural fungicide--all in order to keep bugs from flying in and getting stuck in the ear canal--a recent article published via Gizmodo suggests that this is not quite the case. 

But don't get researchers wrong--there is still some disgusting, sweaty stuff stuck in your ears that's pretty important. These dead, moist skin cells are similar to that seen on other parts of your body--with some hair added in there, too. 

"What makes ear wax distinct are the secretions from the ceruminous glands, branched structures that are thought to be specifically-adapted to sweat glands inside the ear," according to senior reporter at io9 Esther Inglis-Arkell.

Cerumen, otherwise known as earwax, is healthy when produced in normal amounts, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. It serves as a self-cleaning agent that comes with both protective and lubricating properties.

Yet, contrary to prior beliefs, a 2001 study of ticks, beetles, honeybees and other insects in test tubes showed that ear wax was not the best at killing things--not even bacteria.

What's even worse is that insects can and do get stuck in the ears or nose. (If it hasn't happened to you yet, it may very well!) In 2014, the Daily Mail reported that a man had an inch-long moth and tick pulled from his ear. And in 2012, a 92-year-old woman with Alzheimer's disease in a nursing home was found with over 57 maggots in her ear, according to CBS Chicago. (There's more stories like these, but we'll spare you.)

And speaking of things in your ears, did we mention that you probably shouldn't put Q-tips down there, either? Health officials note that ears are self-cleaning and though an estimated 12 million Americans will need to have excess cerumen removed from them, it should only be done by a doctor.

So if a bug does fly into your ear, you're probably not going to die. But on the other hand, your ear wax may not save you either. Pouring a small amount of vegetable or baby oil into the ear canal can help suffocate the insect as well as pouring a small amount of warm water into the ear canal to help flush it out. If that doesn't work, it may be best to call the doctor as some bugs can sting the eardrum, according to health officials.

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