What Does Thin Grey Substance In Ear Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 17 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 17 Jun 2014 Answered on

Mon, 7 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I was just using a qtip to clean out my ears and had just showered and when I was done cleaning my left ear I noticed what looked like a liquid or very thin grayish substance on the qtip. There is a small amount of pain but I didn't notice anything until I went to clean my ear out. I've never seen anything like that come out of my ear, ever so I'm just worried now and want to know what I should do and if you know what it might be? Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
That need not be worried

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to health care magic forum.
I am Dr Aslam here to help you.
Thin grey substance on tip of bud after having a shower just indicates ear wax soaked in water;nothing else.Minimal pain also need not be worried unless there is associated blood stained discharge or blood staining on the buds tip.
Anyway, cleaning ear with buds is actually not needed. Our ear canal has an automatic mechanism to get them out.Only when this fails to cause impacted wax with pain/tinnitus/difficulty in hearing, we need to interfere.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have further questions, I will be happy to help.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj