Check Before You Throw Away! Earwax Reveals Infections, Injuries, and Precancerous Signs: A New Era of Preventive Medicine Unveiled by Earwax

Earwax is not just dirt; it serves as a self-cleaning barrier for the ears, with its color and smell providing clues about one's health. The Cleveland Clinic in the U.S. highlights cautionary colors such as green (infection), black (seen with blockages), and brown with red streaks (trauma), while recommending against self-manipulation deep in the ear and suggesting treatment by medical professionals. In terms of smell, it is known that maple syrup urine disease can cause a sweet scent in the earwax of newborns. By 2025, research is expected to report on the analysis of volatile compounds in earwax using AI to identify Parkinson's disease with 94% accuracy, raising expectations for it as a non-invasive, low-cost primary screening method. Additionally, advancements in using a **"cerumenogram"** to suggest cancer and precancerous conditions are underway. On social media, reactions are mixed, with expressions of "surprise," "hope for early detection," and calls to "avoid excessive generalization." In conclusion, while daily observation is important, if there are persistent abnormalities or symptoms, one should seek medical attention rather than self-diagnosing.