Earwax, or cerumen, is usually amber-orange to light brown, but can vary. Changes in earwax color can indicate several things, such as injury or infection.

Earwax plays essential roles in ear health. It helps remove debris from the ear canal, prevents foreign bodies and particles from penetrating deep into the ear, and it even helps protect against germs.

In this article, learn what different colors and textures of earwax indicate, as well as how to safely clean out the ear.

Close up of a person's earlobe, their hair is tucked behind their ear and they have earrings in.Share on Pinterest
knape/Getty Images

Earwax can be a variety of colors, including:

  • off white
  • yellow
  • bright orange
  • dark orange
  • brown
  • black

Earwax is most often amber-orange to light brown, wet, and sticky. For some people, it is drier and lighter in color, closer to off-white or yellow.

In general, the color of the earwax depends on its age. Newer earwax tends to be lighter in color, and it darkens as it ages and picks up more debris.

The color, texture, and amount of earwax vary naturally from person to person. For most people who produce a regular amount of earwax, the ears can easily remove the wax on their own. This happens at varying speeds, often leading to different textures of earwax.

However, some people produce more wax than is common. When this happens, the ears may not be able to get rid of the wax fast enough, and blockages can occur. Blockages may also occur if a person has a small or unusual ear canal shape, even if they produce a regular amount of ear wax.

Blockages in the ear can change the color and texture of the wax. If the person cannot remove the wax, the ear canal may become fully blocked, which could impair hearing.

Discharge

Infections and injuries can cause discharge from the ear that may be:

  • runny
  • foul-smelling
  • bloody
  • green

The texture of earwax changes as the wax ages. Genetics and a person’s age may also play roles. Children tend to have softer, lighter-colored earwax, while adults tend to have darker, harder earwax.

While varying shades and textures of earwax can come from healthy ears, there are still some instances where a person should see a doctor. Anyone experiencing discharge from the ear that is not earwax should consult a doctor, as this could be a sign of an ear infection.

Also, see a doctor if there is blood in earwax. Additionally, anyone prone to earwax buildups should consult a doctor at the first sign of a blockage, such as muffled hearing.

Circumstances that may increase the risk of ear wax buildup include:

  • chronic ear infections
  • advanced age
  • large amount of hair in the ears
  • ear canal deformation

These people have a risk of blockages and buildups of earwax. If they experience any symptoms, such as muffled hearing, they should see their doctors to discuss how to safely eliminate the wax from their ears.

The number one rule for taking care of the ears is to simply leave them alone. Do not insert anything into the ear canal to try to remove earwax, including fingers, cotton swabs, or any pointy tool or instrument.

Putting anything into the ear canal only increases the risk of pushing wax deeper in, where it may get stuck and cause blockages.

At home

To safely clean the ears, gently wash the outer ears with mild soap and water. Let this rinse into the ear canal to clear away any wax that has fallen from the canal’s walls. It is safe to rinse this wax away because it has performed its function.

Wipe away any excess moisture or external wax with a towel. For most people, this is all the cleaning that their ears need.

If the ears produce too much wax, earwax thinning drops are the only safe way to help wax leave the ear canal at home. However, people should only ever use ear drops if they have fully intact ear drums, free of perforations or ear tubes.

Procedures

Doctors may recommend an ear irrigation procedure if impacted ear wax is causing adverse symptoms or blocking physical examination. Microsuction, or removal with specialized picks may also be appropriate treatment options.

Healthy earwax color and texture can greatly vary. The ears are self-cleaning, and the best way to take care of them is often to leave them alone.

However, too much wax can build up deep within the ear canal and cause a blockage. This may lead to partial hearing loss and put the person at risk of other complications.

Anyone who experiences blockages of earwax or who believes that they produce an excess of wax should see a doctor for specific guidance.