Did you know that around $200 million was spent on Q-tips in 2018? While it can be handy when you’re applying makeup or deep cleaning small spaces, the most common use for these products is to clean your ears. For instance, one survey shows that 68-percent of respondents use cotton swabs to clean their ears.
The problem is that using cotton swabs to remove earwax can be dangerous. In fact, earwax actually serves a purpose that could make you think twice before cleaning your ears out next time. So, why exactly do we have earwax, and what is the purpose of it? We found the answers and some other interesting facts too.
Earwax Is Not Technically Wax
As troublesome as earwax can be, our bodies produce it for a reason. Mayo Clinic explains how the correct medical term for it is cerumen.
While it’s called wax, it isn’t actually wax at all. The name comes from its waxy texture but it’s actually a waxy oil that is partially made of skin cells. Earwax is produced by ear canal glands that make their way to the opening of the ear.