Medical Encyclopedia:
Cerumen Impaction: Prognosis
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More about Cerumen Impaction:
Definition Causes and symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Prognosis Prevention Resources |
In most cases, impacted cerumen is successfully removed by irrigation with no lasting side effects. Irrigation can, however, lead to infection of the outer or the middle ear if the patient has a damaged or absent ear drum. Patients who try to remove earwax themselves with hair pins or similar objects run the risk of perforating the ear drum or damaging the fragile skin covering the ear canal, causing bleeding and the risk of infection.
— Rebecca J. Frey, PhD
