What should I do if I have oily earwax and underarm odor? What is the relationship between the two?

Generally, friends who have oily earwax will also have body odor. The relationship between the two is not absolute, so don’t make random guesses. The wetness or dryness of earwax is generally determined by genes. If oily earwax accumulates too much and affects hearing, it should be cleaned in time. The treatment of axillary odor and earwax cleaning are separate and unrelated.

Causes of oily earwax

Oily earwax is determined by genes. Some people have extra secretion from cerumen glands and sebaceous glands, and the discharge is a brown, oily and sticky substance that accumulates in the outer eye before it dries. Some even flow out of the ear, and some condense into clumps. These are collectively called soft earwax, commonly known as "oily ears". Many friends think that if they have body odor, the earwax is thin, but this view is wrong. People with oily earwax usually have body odor, but body odor is not necessarily caused by oily earwax.

Oily Earwax and Body Odor

1. Oily earwax usually causes body odor, but this is not absolute. Whether it is body odor requires further diagnosis. Body odor is caused by the overdevelopment of a special sweat gland in the armpit, called apocrine glands. The secretions of body glands of young men and women are higher than those of other people, especially those with oily skin. The body odor is much stronger than that of ordinary people.

2. The wetness or dryness of earwax is determined by human genes. Due to genetic mutations, most East Asians have dry earwax, while Europeans and Africans have wet earwax. The wetness or dryness of earwax is not a big deal. The wetness or dryness of earwax depends on the ABCC11 gene. If this gene mutates, it will change the structure of the cell ducts and affect the wetness or dryness of the earwax.

Western medicine treatment of underarm odor

No treatment is needed for mild cases. Just bathe frequently, change clothes and socks frequently, and keep the area clean and dry. For those with hyperhidrosis, the main treatment is local hyperhidrosis, such as topical application of 20% to 25% aluminum chloride solution. Local wet compresses or soaking in 1% povidone-iodine solution, 1:8000 potassium permanganate solution or 0.5% neomycin solution can kill bacteria and reduce odor. Those with severe underarm odor can choose laser or surgical treatment.