Doctor: This color earwax could be a sign of cancer

Expert Hannah Samuels, an audiologist at Boots Hearingcare Clinic (UK), has revealed that the colors of earwax can be a warning sign of a serious health condition, even cancer, according to the Daily Mail.

Earwax is a natural waxy substance produced by the ear that helps protect the sensitive parts of this organ from dirt and bacteria.

First, Dr. Hannah Samuels says that yellow or light brown earwax is considered normal and healthy.

However, if your earwax changes color, you may have a health problem.

The color of your earwax can be a warning sign of a serious health condition, even cancer.

Photo: AI

Red earwax

Red or bloody earwax is probably the most serious, warns Dr. Samuels. In mild cases, this is a sign of a minor injury to the ear or infection, but in rare cases, it can be a potential symptom of ear cancer.

Cancer Research UK warns that bleeding from the ear can be a sign of a tumour growing in the ear canal - the tube that connects the outer ear to the eardrum.

If the bleeding persists, it's best to see your doctor, adds Dr. Samuels.

Other symptoms of cancer inside the ear

According to Cancer Research UK, Depending on the location of the tumor, symptoms may vary:

Ear canal cancer: Symptoms include ear pain, discharge from the ear, hearing loss, a lump in the ear canal, facial weakness, bleeding from the ear.

Middle ear cancer: The most common symptoms are fluid draining from the ear that may be bloody, hearing loss, ear pain, and inability to move the face on the affected side of the ear.

Inner ear cancer: Symptoms include earache, headache, hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness.

Severe ear pain is another sign of cancer in the ear.

Photo: AI

Green earwax. Dr. Samuels notes that green earwax can indicate an ear infection, especially if accompanied by pain, itching, or discharge.

Black, dark brown, or orange earwax. Black earwax can indicate an underlying fungal or bacterial infection.

However, it could also be old, dry earwax that has accumulated in the ear over a long period of time.

The UK's National Health Service (NHS) says earwax build-up can cause hearing loss or tinnitus.

Similarly, dark brown or orange earwax can also mean that the earwax has been in the ear for too long and is starting to dry out.

Clear earwax. The final shade to look out for is clear earwax, which is completely colorless, says Dr. Samuels, according to the Daily Mail.

Clear earwax is often associated with watery or liquid-like earwax, which can indicate that the ear is trying to remove an irritant or infection, explains Dr. Samuels.

If you are concerned about changes in the color of your earwax, Dr. Samuels advises contacting your doctor.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bac-si-ray-tai-mau-nay-rat-co-the-la-dau-hieu-cua-ung-thu-185250407214900738.htm