Can fungal ear infection spread to brain - Ms_Rothangelai

Earwax, a bodily emanation that many of us would rather do without, is actually pretty useful stuff — in small amounts. It serves as a natural cleanser as it moves out of the ear, and tests have shown it has antibacterial and antifungal properties. But for many people, earwax is too much of a good thing. An ear canal plugged up with earwax can cause earaches, infections, and other problems. New guidelines from the American Academy of Otolaryngology stress a let-it-be attitude and warn against removal unless the earwax is causing a problem, reports the November 2008 issue of the Harvard Health Letter.

The Harvard Health Letter notes that you can also buy over-the-counter eardrops that break up earwax. Sometimes the eardrops will work on their own. Other times, a few squirts of water with a bulb syringe are needed. A clinician tackles an earwax problem in pretty much the same way as a do-it-yourselfer, but with more expertise, a better view, and better tools.