The more you dig, the itchier it gets? ENT Doctor: Ear itching isn't from not cleaning enough, it's from digging too much

Earwax isn't dirt; it's a natural shield for your ear canal. It's slightly acidic, inhibiting bacteria and fungi, and it repels water while trapping dust and skin flakes. The skin in your ear canal also has a conveyor belt function; through talking and chewing, earwax is slowly pushed outward. Most people don't need to clean it specially. Many people habitually swirl a cotton swab in their ears after showering, finding it relieving. However, ENT doctors warn that cotton swabs act like bulldozers, often pushing earwax deeper instead of removing it. Over time, this can cause earwax impaction, leading to muffled hearing and reduced hearing ability. Worse, frequent digging can scrape away the protective oils in the ear canal, drying out the skin and causing itching. The itchier it gets, the more you want to dig, and the more you dig, the more you break the skin, creating a vicious cycle. In Taiwan's humid and hot climate, bacteria and fungi can easily invade, potentially causing acute external otitis or otomycosis, which can lead to discharge and unbearable pain in severe cases. Some deep-seated itching isn't caused by earwax either; it might be related to colds, allergies, Eustachian tube inflammation, or even acid reflux. Digging your ears won't solve it. The correct approach is: after showering, simply dry your outer ear with a towel. Never insert a cotton swab into the ear canal. If your ear canal is just dry and itchy, you can use a cotton swab dipped in a small amount of baby oil or moisturizing lotion to lightly moisten the outer part of the ear canal opening. If you experience worsening itchiness, ear blockage, pain, hearing loss, or discharge, stop digging and seek medical attention from an ENT specialist as soon as possible. Remember, dig less, and your ears will be healthier. Yeah, my family member went to the ENT and was indeed warned not to clean their ears too often 🤔