Prompt Cast
The Functions and Dangers of Earwax
TLDR Earwax serves multiple functions including killing bacteria, lubricating the ear canal, maintaining balance, and protecting the inner ear. Cleaning earwax with cotton swabs is not recommended as it can push the wax further into the ear and cause various issues. Ear candling, a procedure that claims to remove impurities, has been debunked as dangerous and ineffective.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Earwax can vary in color and consistency depending on genetics, with dry earwax being more common in northeastern Asian countries.
04:25
Earwax, or cerumen, is made up of secretions from specialized glands in the outer third of the ear canal, including sebum and apocrine sweat, and it also contains keratin, fatty acids, dead skin cells, hair follicles, dust, and possibly dust mites, and it is produced in the inner third of the outer ear and migrates outward due to jaw movement.
09:01
Earwax serves four main functions: it creates an acidic environment that kills bacteria and fungi, it lubricates the ear canal to prevent dryness, it helps maintain balance and prevent ear-related issues, and it protects the inner ear from moisture and darkness where fungi can thrive.
13:12
Earwax traps dead skin and hair cells to carry them out and keep the ear clean.
17:14
Using cotton swabs to clean earwax can actually push it further into the ear and lead to a build-up, which can cause various issues such as headaches, nausea, and earaches.
21:41
Using cotton swabs to clean earwax is not recommended, and instead, it is advised to wash the external ear with a cloth and avoid sticking anything into the ear canal.
25:43
Ear candling is a procedure where a cone-shaped device is placed in the ear canal, lit on fire, and supposedly creates a vacuum to remove impurities and clear sinuses.
30:05
Ear candling has been thoroughly debunked by science as not only a fraud, but also dangerous, as it cannot pass liquids and gases through an eardrum and has no vacuum effect, and can cause burns, perforated eardrums, infections, and even death.
34:26
Ear candling is illegal in Canada and the FDA does not allow any claims to be made about its effectiveness, and there is no evidence to support the claim that creating a vacuum with an ear candle can rupture your eardrum.
38:04
No relevant information or content to summarize in this section.
Categories:
Society & Culture
