Ear wax can seem gross, especially if it's visible to others, but you should generally leave it in place, doctors say.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology points out that it helps clean the ear and can fight bacteria and fungi. Some say it can even fight acne.

So the groups new guidelines take a let-it-be attitude toward the sticky stuff for most people.

However, people who have so much wax that it causes pain or infections can get help from a doctor. A note in the Harvard Health Letter also said that dripping a few drops of water, saline solution or hydrogen peroxide in should soften the wax enough for it to fall out.

A cotton swab should not be used, because it can push wax deeper into the ear.