Earwax normally protects your ears. But when too much builds up, it can block the ear canal and make your ear hurt. This guide explains why, what else could be causing the pain, and what to do about it.
Can earwax make your ear hurt?
Yes. The NHS lists earache, or a feeling that your ears are blocked, as a symptom of earwax build-up. Other signs include muffled hearing, ringing or buzzing (tinnitus) and feeling dizzy.
Earwax (also called cerumen) is made by glands in the ear canal. It keeps the skin moist and traps dust and dirt. Most of the time it works its way out on its own. Problems start when it builds up or gets pushed deeper. If it is affecting your hearing, see why hearing can stay muffled and whether earwax can cause tinnitus.
Why does earwax cause ear pain?
Earwax usually causes pain in one of three ways:
Pressure: a large build-up fills the ear canal and presses on the sensitive skin inside it.
Hard, packed wax: wax that has been pushed down, often by cotton buds, can harden and rub against the ear canal.
Irritation or infection: a sore or scratched ear canal can become inflamed. An outer ear infection is caused by something irritating the ear canal.
Why does my ear hurt after cleaning it?
Has your ear started hurting after cleaning it with a cotton bud, a finger or a cleaning tool? The tool has probably pushed wax further in, or irritated the skin of the ear canal. The NHS says not to use your fingers or any objects, such as cotton buds, to remove earwax.
Stop cleaning inside the ear and let it settle. If it still hurts, or your ear feels blocked, have it checked. In-ear headphones and earplugs can push wax in too.
Is my earache caused by earwax or something else?
You can't always tell on your own, and the NHS advises not to try to diagnose the cause yourself. Other symptoms can give a clue:
Earache with muffled or changed hearing: earwax, glue ear, something stuck in the ear or a perforated eardrum.
Earache with a high temperature: an ear infection, a cold or flu.
Earache with pain when swallowing: a sore throat or tonsillitis.
Earache with toothache: a dental problem.
Fluid coming out of the ear, which may also smell, is a sign of infection rather than wax. Swimming and flying can also cause ear pain. An ear care specialist can look inside your ear and tell you if wax is the cause.
