Don't throw away your earplug before you see this! The color of the mud gives away...👇

 

Everyone does it – we clean our ears in the morning and rush to throw away the cotton swab. What if we told you that you just threw away your “medical record”? According to experts from the world-renowned  Cleveland Clinic , earwax (cerumen) is not just waste, but a complex defense system whose color and consistency change according to your health. Here’s what your body is trying to tell you, backed up by medical facts :

1. Yellow, moist and sticky

This is the "gold standard" for health for most Europeans.

• Science says:  According to a study published in the scientific database  PubMed , this type of discharge is determined by the  ABCC11 gene . If you have wet earwax, you are also genetically predisposed to stronger body odor (sweating), since the same glands control both .

• Health:  Your ear is perfectly lubricated and protected from insects.

2. Gray or “dusty” mud

If you live in a big city and see gray on the stick, don't panic right away.

• The reason:  According to the medical portal  Healthline , earwax acts as a “sticky trap” for pollutants. The gray color is most often the result of urban smog and dust, which are stopped before they reach the eardrum .

• Warning:  However, if the gray color is accompanied by dry, flaky skin and severe itching, this could be a signal of  eczema , dermatologists warn.

3. Dark brown or black

It seems frightening, but there is usually a logical medical explanation.

• Oxidation:  Audiologists explain that when the fats in earwax react with oxygen, it darkens—just like a sliced ​​apple turns brown. This means the wax has been sitting in the canal longer.

• Stress factor:  A study by  King's College London  found an interesting connection - under high stress, the body produces more cortisol, which can accelerate the production of earwax, leading to its accumulation and darkening .

4. White and dry (flaky)

This is not a disease, but a genetic map.

• Genetics:  This type is dominant in East Asians. Interestingly, people with white, dry earwax have almost no body odor under their arms, due to a mutation in the same  ABCC11 gene .

• Deficiencies:  In rarer cases, the sudden onset of dryness can signal dehydration or a lack of essential fatty acids.

RED FLAG: When should you run to the doctor?

According to the specialized publication  Medical News Today , there are two colors that require immediate intervention :

1. Greenish or watery discharge:  This is a classic symptom of infection. If you also notice a foul odor, don't put drops on your head!

2. Traces of blood:  Even a small red dot could indicate a ruptured eardrum or serious injury to the canal from an earwax swab.