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.

Ah, TikTok, home of makeup tutorials, lip-syncing tunes, cute animal content and—earwax removal videos? Yes, it’s true: That goopy amber stuff on your For You page is coming out of someone’s ear canal ...

Cotton swabs may feel the most satisfying, but there are safer and more effective alternatives. Credit...Eric Helgas for The New York Times Supported by By Caroline Hopkins Q: I know I’m not supposed ...

Try removing ear wax at home with ear drops, or with natural remedies like oils and baking soda. Never pick out ear wax with certain objects, including Q-Tips, because it can impact your ear wax. If ...

Cotton swabs “really weren’t made to clean your ears — all they do is just push the wax deeper down into your ear canal and this causes an impaction,” Dr. Tonia L. Farmer, who goes by Dr. Nose Best, ...

You can clean your ears at home with a damp washcloth or over-the-counter drops. If your ears are impacted, a doctor can remove wax buildup. Do your ears feel blocked up? Excess wax can accumulate ...

Ear wax, or cerumen, is a natural substance that helps protect and lubricate your ears. However, when it builds up excessively, it can cause discomfort, muffled hearing, and even infections. While a ...

Some people use a few drops of olive oil to reduce earwax buildup or treat an ear infection. While more research is needed, it may be safe to give this home remedy a try. It’s also a traditional ...

Beth Skwarecki is Lifehacker’s Senior Health Editor, and holds certifications as a personal trainer and weightlifting coach. She has been writing about health for over 10 years. Plenty of folks swear ...