Though some authors identify themselves, the Net accords anonymity to anyone who wants it, and content verification is not required. Getting information from published sources or from Web sites maintained by the publications is a safer bet. And if still in doubt, consult a doctor. Paper clips, little bamboo scoopers sold on the streets and even arms of spectacles are used to clean inside their ears. Often, the grooming does more damage than good.
Ear wax is a mixture of alcohols and fats secreted by glands in the ear.
Its primary function is to carry dead skin cells and other debris away from the inner ear to keep the area clean. But its function goes beyond such physical action. The wax contains compounds that have an antifungal effect. Without this barrier, fungi would flourish in the warm, dark recesses of the ear. And because it is water-repellent and antibacterial, ear wax often allows us to swim in even slightly polluted water without getting infections.