Ear canal blockage

Introduction Occlusion of the ear canal refers to a disease caused by obstruction of the ear canal. It is commonly known as earwax and deafness, which is the normal secretion of the ear canal. It can be self-extracted without clogging and causing symptoms. If it condenses into nucleus and blocks the ear canal, it will become a sputum, which is also known as sputum embolism.

Cause

The external auditory canal is a curved tube from the outer ear door to the tympanic membrane. The total length is about 2.1~2.5cm. The outer third is the cartilage and the inner 2/3 is the bony. The inner surface of the external auditory canal is covered with a layer of skin that is in close contact with the perichondrium or periosteum below and is not easily moved. The sensory nerve endings in the skin are abundant, and when suffering from swelling, abnormal pain. In the skin of the cartilage, the hair follicles, sebaceous glands and staring glands are similar to sweat glands. The secretions are staring and have the effect of protecting the ear canal. The ear wax is formed by mixing with the peeled epithelium and dust. The skin of the bone is thin and lacks structures such as hair and sebaceous glands.

If the ear oil is too much or the automatic cleaning procedure of the ear canal itself is disturbed, the earwax will accumulate and block the ear canal.

an examination

Related inspection

Otolaryngology CT examination ear examination

Local examination found that sputum occlusion is the main diagnostic basis.

If the nucleus does not completely block the ear canal, there is no obvious symptom. If the nucleus is large or if the nucleus is swollen with water and completely obstructs the ear canal, there is a feeling of nausea and hearing loss. If you compress the eardrum, it can cause tinnitus and dizziness. The pressure on the ear canal can cause swelling, pain, and erosion of the ear canal. Check the ear canal, visible dark brown nucleus, blocking the ear canal, some soft as wax, but also hard as stone.

Differential diagnosis

It should be differentiated from the following symptoms:

Ear canal foreign body

Foreign body in the ear canal refers to an injurious disease caused by foreign matter inadvertently entering the external auditory canal.

2. Ear canal pus

When there is inflammation in the external auditory canal or middle ear, the phenomenon of pus in the ear canal can occur. Traditional Chinese medicine treats diseases with perforation of eardrum and pus in the ear as the main symptoms, collectively referred to as pus.

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