What you need to know about earwax   Of all the substances our bodies excrete, earwax has to be one of the most mysterious. What possible reason could our ears have for producing this waxy substance? Medical professionals may not yet completely understand all of its properties, but they are certain of its protective nature. To understand more, we've assembled some interesting facts about earwax -- and why you shouldn't be so hasty to remove it. Earwax: gross but healthy Earwax is a natural barrier which prevents dirt and bacteria from entering the innermost parts of your ears. Because it is sticky, it collects microscopic debris which finds its way into your ear canal, much like fly paper traps insects. Without this defensive barrier, your inner ear would be at risk. It acts as a moisturizer and protective coating for your ear canal. Without earwax, your outer ear might be itchy and flaky, which puts it at greater risk for becoming irritated and infected. It acts as an insect repellant. The smell of earwax keeps bugs away, while the stickiness traps those which accidentally venture inside. Your earwax says a lot about you Although most everyone's ears produce earwax, that's where the similarity ends. Its composition varies from person to person, depending on their ethnicity, environment, age and diet. There are two primary types of earwax -- wet and dry. Wet cerumen typically appears in Caucasians and Africans Dry cerumen is more common among Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and Asians Even the color of...