The sulfur plug appears as a result of increased secretion of the sulfur glands located in the external auditory canal. Sulfur plug consists of sulfur, the secret of the sebaceous glands, flakes of desquamated skin.
Normally, earwax is removed by movements of the anterior wall of the ear canal during conversation, chewing. The accumulation of sulfur is facilitated by the narrowness and sinuosity of the ear canal, the high viscosity of sulfur. The color of the sulfur plug can be yellow, dark brown. The consistency of sulfur is initially soft, waxy, then dense and even stony.
Symptoms and course: The main symptoms are hearing loss, a feeling of congestion and tinnitus.
The cork can reach large sizes, but if there is at least a narrow gap between it and the wall of the ear canal, then hearing remains normal. However, if even a small amount of water gets into the ear, earwax swells, and hearing drops sharply. The cork can put pressure on the eardrum and the walls of the external auditory canal, causing reflex headaches, dizziness, coughing, and nausea.
If the sulfur plug is in the external auditory canal for a long time, an inflammatory process may develop, which is accompanied by pain in the ear.
The final diagnosis is established by the ENT doctor after examining the ear.
Treatment: it is not necessary to remove the wax plug on your own, especially with hairpins, the tip of a folded towel, as with all this, earwax is pushed deep into the ear canal. In addition, the use of sharp objects can lead to injury to the eardrum and the walls of the ear canal.
The sulfur plug is washed out with warm water. It is highly recommended to seek help from an ENT doctor (otolaryngologist).