An expert has revealed the earwax shades that could be a sign you have a serious health condition, or even cancer.
Earwax is the waxy substance naturally produced by the ears that helps protect the sensitive parts of the organ, that we use to hear sounds, from dirt and germs.
Hannah Samuels, an audiologist at the high-street pharmacy chain Boots, said a yellow or light brown earwax is what medics consider to be normal and healthy.
However, she added if your earwax changes a different colour, it could indicate you have a health problem.
Red or bloody ear wax is perhaps the most serious.
On the milder end this is a sign of a minor injury inside your ear or an infection, but in very rare cases can be a potential symptom of ear cancer.
Cancer charities like Cancer Research UK warn that bleeding from the ear can be a sign of a tumour growing in the ear canal, the tube connecting the outer ear to the ear drum.
Ms Samuels added: ‘If the bleeding persists, it’s best to see a doctor.’
An expert has revealed the earwax shades that could be a sign you have serious disease or even cancer
She also said that green earwax was another shade people should pay attention to.
‘Green earwax can suggest an infection in the ear, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like pain, itching, or discharge,’ she said.
‘The colour comes from the presence of bacteria, or sometimes, the discharge from an infection.’
She said black earwax was another shade that could indicate a potential fungal or bacterial infection.
However, Ms Samuels added it could also be a sign that earwax was building up within the ear canal.
‘Black earwax can result from old, dried-up earwax, especially if it’s been in the ear for a long time.’
Such a build-up of earwax can cause hearing loss or even tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears, the NHS says.
Similarly, dark brown or orange earwax could also be a sign that it was taking too long to for substance to make its way out of the ear and was starting to dry out.
Ms Samuels added it can also be a sign you’ve recently been exposed to a large amount of dust or other derbies that your ear wax is helping to push out.
The final shade of earwax Ms Samuels said patients should be aware of was the absence of colour entirely.
‘Clear earwax is less common, but it can occur. It is usually associated with watery or fluid-like earwax which might indicate that the ear is trying to flush out an irritant or infection,’ she said.
Ms Samules said anyone concerned about changes in their earwax colour should contact their GP for advice.
