It irritates me to see huge amounts of wax coming out of the ears of my kids ( like they are hillbillies who haven’t been washing for weeks ). How do we get rid of the wax? We know that you shouldn’t stick a cotton bud in, but how can you remove it? Here we can help you, how to clean earwax from your kids safely at home.
How to Clean Earwax From Children’s?
The best way to remove earwax from a child’s ear is to maintain a regular shower or bath routine. Impacted cerumen, or earwax that has built up and blocked the ear canal, can occur, but practicing good personal hygiene can help keep earwax at a healthy level.
If the child is complaining of discomfort, parents can gently wipe the area around the ear with a washcloth.
It is not safe or effective for parents to attempt to remove earwax from their child’s ears at home using cotton swabs or other remedies. Doing so can damage the ear canal and potentially affect the child’s hearing.
Avoid using “ear candling,” a home remedy that has been promoted as an effective way to remove earwax. It has not been proven to be effective or safe and can even be dangerous.
Ear candling involves placing a cone-shaped device in the ear canal, lighting the other end of the cone, and relying on the supposed vacuum created by the fire to draw out the wax. This method can be risky, as it could cause burns to the ear canal or puncture the eardrum.
Earwax is usually not colored for any specific reason. Fresh earwax is typically yellow or orange and becomes brown or black as it hardens.
Not Only Gross
One in ten children have excessive or impacted earwax (compared to only one in twenty adults). So it’s not my kids. It’s not just my kids!
Children’s ear canals are smaller, so wax and blockages can be more common. This can affect hearing and development if not treated. Children are often unable to communicate a hearing loss symptom, so they don’t receive the proper treatment or evaluation.
It is important to remove all the wax and clean your child’s ear canals. This will prevent an infection in the outer ear, which can cause pain for children.
Okay, So How Do You Do It?
We know better now than our parents did years ago. You should NEVER put anything in your child’s (or yours) ear. It could damage the eardrums and cause other problems.
Many parents know this, but others, like myself, don’t. Lisa Hellwege is a Registered Nurse and founder of Earworx (an earwax-removal clinic), who has some expert tips to help parents clean their child’s ears.
1. Use a Soft Cloth to Wash Your Hands
The ear is designed to self-clean and doesn’t need to be “cleaned.” Wax is produced by the outer third and then pushed out of the canal using a skin layer that moves like a conveyor. When it comes out of the outer ear, you can wipe it gently with a soft tissue or washcloth. The cloth should only touch the outer ear. No fingers or cotton buds are allowed to be placed inside the ear. If a child’s outer ear is still contaminated after an infection, a soft washcloth can be used.
2. Use Olive Oil
Olive oil is just as effective. You can purchase earwax-softening drops at the pharmacy to help soften and dissolve excessive earwax, which could be causing blockages. Lisa suggests using four to six droplets of olive oil per ear, while the child is lying on each side for five minutes.
This will allow the oil to penetrate all the wax plugs. This works best when done before going to bed. After the treatment, cotton WOOL can be used to hold the drops in the outer ear. Never use a cotton bud to apply the olive oil, or remove the wax.
3. Dry Ears
Parents should help their children dry off their ears after bathing, swimming, or showering to prevent infection and blockages. Allow your child to tilt their ear against a towel and let the water drip naturally. You can also use a hairdryer set on low heat to remove any water that has been trapped in the canal. Always consult a doctor if you notice any abnormal secretions coming from your ear.
Seriously waxy
You can remove excessive wax in a child’s ear in a clinic like Earworx. This clinic uses the same micro-suction technique used by ENT specialists (Ear, Nose, and Throat). Earworx clinics are located in Sydney and Tasmania. Children must be four years old or older to undergo the procedure. If your child’s age is below this, you can get tips on how to care for and maintain their ears.
Why Do Ears Make Wax?
The outer ear is the place where earwax is produced. This is the area between the outer fleshy part of your ear and the middle ear. Cerumen is the medical term for earwax (sehROO-mun).
Earwax performs important functions. It:
- It acts as a waterproof coating of the ear canal and protects it from bacteria that could cause infection.
- Traps dirt and dust particles to prevent them from damaging or irritating the eardrum
The wax travels through the outer canal of the ear to the opening. It either falls out, or is washed out. The outer ear canal produces earwax constantly in most people.
Is it Necessary to Remove Earwax?
It’s not necessary to remove earwax, as it usually comes out on its own. If you put anything in a child’s ear, it can cause infection or damage to the eardrum. Cotton swabs can be useful for many grooming tasks, but they should not be used to remove wax from the ears. Most of the time, a regular bath is sufficient to maintain healthy levels.
The ear produces as much wax as it needs, even if some people produce more than others. Kids’ ears rarely produce too much wax. Sometimes earwax will build up in the ear canal and cause it to become blocked, especially if a cotton swab or finger is used to push into the canal. This is known as “impaction.” A doctor can remove the device if it causes discomfort or pain, or if it interferes with hearing.
Even if the remedy is safe and effective, parents and children should not attempt to clean earwax themselves. This can cause damage to a child’s ear canal, and possibly their hearing.
What Can Parents Do?
It’s okay to use a washcloth on the outer ear if your child complains about ear pain and you can see ear wax. Do not use anything to poke into the ear, including a cotton swab or finger. This could cause damage to the eardrum and delicate ear canal. It can also pack in the wax.
Consult your doctor before using any over-the-counter treatment to remove earwax.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
If your child:
- Ear pain, itching, or discomfort (like feeling blocked in the ear)
- hearing problems
When infants or toddlers tug at their ears, it can be a sign of an ear issue.
Some doctors remove earwax.
- If it is painful, itchy or uncomfortable
- If it affects your hearing
- To check for any problems, you need to have a clearer view of your eardrum
Earwax is usually removed in a doctor’s office. It may be uncomfortable, but not painful. The doctor can remove the device in the operating room if a child cannot sit still or is unwilling to cooperate.
The doctor can remove earwax using different methods, including
- Special instruments are designed to scoop it out or remove it by pulling, suctioning, or scooping.
- It can be flushed out with warm, running water. A doctor may inject drops into the canal of the ear to break down the wax. You may be asked to remove the wax at home, and then go back to your doctor to have it removed.
The removal takes just a few moments. The doctor may prescribe antibiotic drops if there is a sign that the ear canal has become infected.
What Else Should I Know?
The use of ear candling as a remedy to remove earwax has been gaining popularity. It has not been proven to be effective or safe, and it can be dangerous.
The cone-shaped device is placed in the ear canal, and then the other end of the device is lit. The cone and fire are supposed to create a vacuum that will remove the wax. It is not recommended to try this at home because it can lead to:
- Burning the ear canal
- Puncturing a hole through the eardrum can result in permanent hearing loss
If you are concerned about the ears or hearing of your child, contact your doctor.
When Should You Call Your Pediatrician?
In most cases, the ear produces just the right amount of wax. Children’s ears rarely produce excess wax. However, certain signs may require a visit to the pediatrician:
- The child complains about ear pain or discomfort.
- There are signs of hearing difficulties.
- A toddler or infant who tugs on their ears may be indicating an ear issue.
- If the earwax has a foul smell, is green or yellowish-green in color, or contains blood, it could be a sign of an ear infection.
If you consult a pediatrician about earwax, they may recommend its removal if it is causing pain, itching, or discomfort, interfering with hearing, or if they need a clearer view of the eardrum to check for other issues. The removal is typically done in the pediatrician’s office and, although it may be uncomfortable, it should not be painful. Some common methods for earwax removal include:
- Using special instruments designed to scoop, suction, or pull out the debris.
- Flushing the ear with warm water. A doctor may inject drops into the ear to help break down the wax, and you may be asked to use the drops at home before returning to the office for removal.
Earwax removal usually takes only a few moments. If an infection is suspected, the pediatrician might prescribe antibiotic drops.
If the child is unable to remain still during the procedure, an otolaryngologist (a doctor specializing in the ear, nose, and throat) can remove the earwax while the child is under general anesthesia.
Conlcusion
If you suspect your child has earwax issues, it is important to consult with a doctor. A doctor will be able to determine if medical intervention is needed, if there’s an underlying problem, or if this condition can resolve itself. Avoid overly aggressive attempts at removing earwax. This can cause hearing problems, damage to the ear, and even infection. It is important to discuss potential home remedies with your healthcare provider to determine the best course.
Regular checkups with your doctor can also ensure ear health, especially if you have a child who has had frequent ear problems in the past. Safe practices such as cleaning the outer ear regularly with a washcloth can prevent buildup and damage. When in doubt, parents should always seek professional advice before using any at-home treatment.
If earwax is persistent and bothersome, you may be referred to an ENT specialist (ear, nose, and throat), who can offer more detailed care. Parents can help their child’s ears remain healthy by being proactive, staying informed and seeking medical advice when necessary.
