You've probably noticed that when cleaning your ears, the colors on the cotton buds aren't always the same. Some days your earwax will be a dark shade of yellow, and other days it will be mixed with a different color.

First and foremost, when you're cleaning your ears, you should avoid shoving the Q-Tip or cotton bud deep into your ear canal. Instead, move the cotton bud along the external ear.

There are answers to why your wax changes color, and these changes may indicate something about your health.

Here are the 6 most common earwax colors and textures.

Gray

This color indicates that you live in a polluted or dusty city.

Red

This may indicate a puncture in your eardrum. If you've noticed this before or just now, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Brown or Black

Many kinds of dark-colored wax indicate your body is going through a time of stress. This may also be sign of a fungal infection.

White

This may suggest your body is lacking an essential vitamin or nutrient. Consult with your doctor to see whether this may be due to a deficiency in iron or copper. If your earwax is also dry, this could either mean you have some kind of skin problem or that your body lacks useful fats.

Liquid Wax

This may suggest there's some inflammation in your ear.

Smelly Wax

This may indicate you're suffering from an infection. There may be blockage in your ear, which would require you to see a doctor.

If you have any of these kinds of earwax, make sure to consult an ear specialist.