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Understanding Ear Wax

Ear wax, also known as cerumen, is a natural substance produced by glands in the ear canal. Its purpose is to protect the ear by trapping dust, dirt, and other foreign particles, preventing them from reaching the eardrum. At PrimeCare Urgent Care, we recognize that ear wax buildup can sometimes lead to discomfort or hearing difficulties, and we are here to provide gentle and effective solutions.

Causes of Ear Wax Buildup

Ear wax buildup occurs when the ear produces an excessive amount of wax or when the wax becomes hardened and unable to naturally migrate out of the ear canal. Factors that can contribute to ear wax buildup include using cotton swabs or other objects to clean the ears, wearing hearing aids or earplugs regularly, and anatomical variations that narrow the ear canal.

Symptoms of Ear Wax Buildup

Symptoms of ear wax buildup may include earache, feeling of fullness in the ear, temporary hearing loss or muffled hearing, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), itching in the ear canal, and a sensation that something is blocking the ear.

Evaluation and Management

When you visit PrimeCare Urgent Care for concerns related to ear wax buildup, our experienced healthcare providers will conduct a thorough evaluation to assess your symptoms and determine the best course of action. This may include examining the ear canal using an otoscope and possibly recommending treatment options such as:

  • Ear Irrigation: A safe and effective procedure to gently flush out excess ear wax using warm water.
  • Manual Removal: If necessary, our healthcare providers may use specialized instruments to carefully remove hardened ear wax.

Prevention and Self-Care

To help prevent ear wax buildup, avoid inserting cotton swabs or other objects into the ear canal, as this can push wax deeper and potentially cause injury. If you wear hearing aids or use earplugs, follow proper hygiene practices and cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturer.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While ear wax buildup is often manageable, it’s important to seek medical attention if you experience severe symptoms such as persistent ear pain, sudden hearing loss, or discharge from the ear. Our urgent care team is here to provide prompt evaluation and personalized care to address your ear wax concerns.

For expert evaluation and management of ear wax buildup, visit PrimeCare Urgent Care today. Our compassionate team is committed to helping you maintain optimal ear health and overall well-being.

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Our urgent care is primary focused and opened in 2013 with the tenets that if we take care of patients like we take care of our own, other primary care providers will trust us to be there for their patients when they cannot.

Not only have we been able to care for our own patients, we are here for numerous primary providers in the area and take pride that any testing we perform in our urgent care is conveyed and results are sent to the primary team.
We specialize in taking care of urgent needs in Novi and we also specialize in coordinating care with your primary provider.  There are a lot of stand alone urgent cares to choose from and we hope you choose ours.
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