POLL: Puzzling EAR WAX inquiry

[Jfur]

A few years ago, I read a blurb in a science mag (perhaps Discover?) that said something about genetic differences related to ear wax. Specifically, it said people with that "Asian" (I am not sure exactly how that was broken down, but I assume it includes SE Asia/India, etc.) and Native American heritage were likely to have "flaky" ear wax, while Europeans (and perhaps others) had "moist" ear wax.

In all seriousness, I have noticed that some people do have dry, flaky ear wax -- and others appear not to. Please take the poll so I can get to the bottom of this

 

[reitz]

Serious question: How do you happen to notice what type of ear wax a person has?

 

[Jfur]

<< Serious question: How do you happen to notice what type of ear wax a person has? >>



I have seen some people with flakes IN their ears, and once in a while I see people using Q-Tips. It's more that some friends and I were recently talking about it and found out that there were definite differences. My husband (who is Cherokee) has definite ear flakes. Another friend call his "cocunut flakes" :Q

 

[CraigRT]

ROFL..

 

[vi edit]

I get both. Just depends on how much humidity is in the air.

But then again, I've got a little bit of Native American in me, as well as a healthy does of Irish

 

[Rent]

Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside...

:Q

 

[StormRider]

My mom said there were two kinds of ear wax: brown moist ear wax and a flakey white ear wax.

I used to have flakey white ear wax when I was young but now it's kind of brown yellowish.

 

[Jfur]

hmmm, interesting -- perhaps the distinction is: Moist indicates that there is not a tendency to have flakes (at all), whereas flaky may indicate the presence of both moist and flaky I should have sent a propsal to the NSF before beginning this "research"

 

[Rage187]

I'm white w/ flaky ear wax...

 

[Jfur]

hmmmm. so far there is a pattern... keep voting

 

[Brutuskend]

I have both at times.
But then I'm Irish,German, and Native American.
So I guess that would explain it.

If you like I could send you a sample for testing!?

 

[geekybear]

have never really paid much attention to other people's ear wax. however, i once knew a person who literally had the stuff rolling out of their ears. the girl was a walking ear wax factory. btw-she was caucasion and it looked pretty moist