Symptoms Of Earwax Buildup

Fever

A more serious symptom of earwax buildup is a fever. Individuals should keep in mind this symptom will only appear if the earwax buildup hasn't been tended to. If the buildup of earwax is left untreated, an infection can develop around the ear. Along with high amounts of pain in the ear, patients can also develop a high temperature that can make them feel as though they are suffering from a cold or the flu.

While a cold typically comes with other symptoms like a runny nose and a sore throat, individuals should be able to determine they're suffering from a buildup of earwax if the fever isn't accompanied by the usual symptoms of a cold or the flu. This symptom occurs when the patient's body temperature is above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The high temperature won't dissipate until the infection has been cleared out, which means the best way to get rid of this symptom is by first having the earwax blockage removed from the ear.

Coughing

Coughing is another symptom that indicates the earwax buildup might have caused an infection. While an earwax blockage doesn't always lead to this symptom, individuals might start coughing if the earwax is lodged in a certain way. This symptom occurs when the earwax stimulates a branch of the vagus nerve that leads to the outer ear. This nerve is involved with many different functions around the body, which includes functions within the lungs and throat. When this nerve is stimulated, a reflex action will be triggered that causes patients to start coughing. While this occurs with many other conditions, it will usually subside when the throat has been cleared of mucus and other irritants.

Since a cough can't get rid of earwax buildup, patients might find it difficult to control the cough until they've found a way to get rid of the buildup of earwax. If the cough has lasted for longer than two weeks and hasn't shown any signs of improvement, it's likely it is being caused by something other than a cold or other forms of bacteria.