Earwax in children, should I clean it out? Is cleaning earwax for your little one a good thing? Many families may use cotton swabs to clean their child’s ears regularly, but did you know that cleaning earwax or cleaning ears with cotton swabs can have negative effects and cause problems in the ear canal later? But if left unchecked, will earwax become blocked? How should parents take care of their child’s ears? We have collected information from doctors to provide clarity for mothers.
What causes earwax? What are its benefits?
Earwax, or medically known as “cerumen”, is not just dirt as many people think, but a beneficial secretion for our ears. Earwax is produced by glands in the skin lining the ear canal. Its main components are sebum, dead skin cells, and tiny hairs that trap dust particles.
- Prevent infection Earwax has antibacterial and antifungal properties, helping to prevent ear infections.
- Traps foreign objects Earwax traps dust, insects, and other debris, preventing them from entering the inner ear.
- Lubricates the ear canal . Earwax helps keep the skin in the ear canal moist, preventing dryness and itching.
- Prevent water from entering the ear. Earwax will slightly block the ear canal, helping to prevent water from entering the ear while showering or swimming.
Should I clean out my child’s earwax?
Many people may wonder whether it is necessary to clean out earwax for babies. The answer may not always be “yes” or “no”. Let’s take a look at the reasons why doctors recommend it.
Why don’t doctors recommend earwax removal?
- The body has a mechanism to clean itself. Earwax is like dirt that naturally comes off, especially when we chew food or move our face.
- Picking can be dangerous. If done incorrectly, it can scratch the ear canal or push earwax further into the ear canal.
- The eardrum is very delicate. Cleaning your ear can cause injury to the eardrum, which can lead to infection or hearing loss.
But if earwax is blocked and causing problems, what should you do?
- Observe symptoms: If your child has ear pain, ear ringing, has difficulty hearing, or has pus draining from the ear, see a doctor immediately.
- The doctor will clean it for you: The doctor will have the tools and knowledge to clean ear wax safely without harming the ear.
How dangerous is using a cotton swab to clean earwax?
Using cotton swabs to clean your child’s ears is a habit that many people do regularly. However, doing this can have more negative effects on the ears than you might think. Let’s take a look at the dangers of using cotton swabs to clean ears.
- More earwax blockage: Instead of removing earwax from the ear, using a cotton swab actually forces more earwax into the ear canal, causing a blockage.
- Infection can occur. Earpicking can scratch the ear canal, which opens the door for bacteria to enter and harm it.
- The eardrum can be injured. If the cotton swab is used too forcefully, it can rupture the eardrum, affecting hearing.
- Tinnitus: Earwax blockage makes it harder for sound to travel into the inner ear, causing tinnitus.
- Hearing loss: If earwax is left blocked for a long time, hearing loss may occur.
Why earwaxing isn’t the answer?
- The more you spin, the more clogged it becomes. Spinning your ear will cause more earwax to be packed into your ear canal instead of releasing it.
- If water gets into your ear, you should not spin it. Even if you feel water in your ear, spinning your ear is not the best solution because it will make the ear wax more compact and may cause an infection.
- The correct method: If water enters your ear, tilt your head so that the side with water is close to the floor, then gently pat your ear with a towel to let the water drain out.
Ear cleaning causes bleeding: Dangers you should know about
Ear bleeding is mainly caused by using cotton swabs or other foreign objects to clean the ear. This can scratch the skin in the ear canal, create minor wounds, or push earwax further into the ear canal, or even cause a perforated eardrum.
The danger of picking your ears and causing bleeding
- Infection: A wound in the ear canal can become infected with bacteria, causing ear pain, ear congestion, and pus drainage from the ear.
- Perforated eardrum. If too much force is used to clean the ear, it may perforate the eardrum, affecting hearing and possibly causing other complications.
- Hearing loss, injury to the eardrum or an ear infection can cause hearing loss.
If you start bleeding while cleaning your ear, stop cleaning your ear immediately. Do not use a cotton swab or any foreign object to clean your ear again.
My child has a lot of earwax. How should I take care of it?
If your child has a lot of earwax, parents may be worried that it will affect their hearing. We have some good advice on how to take care of your child with a lot of earwax.
- Let your body eliminate earwax on its own. Earwax will naturally move out as you chew or move your jaw.
- Clean the outside of the ear. After bathing or washing your hair, there is a chance that some water can enter the outer ear canal. Use a wet towel to clean it as much as you can, and that should be enough.
- Avoid cleaning your ears with cotton swabs, as this can cause earwax to become more congested. If you need to use a cotton swab, you can use the cotton swab to wipe the tip of your ear canal and tilt it slightly to wipe the tip of your ear canal to drain the water.
- See a doctor if you have any problems. If you have ear pain, ear congestion, or pus coming out of your ear, see a doctor. If you are concerned that ear wax may be affecting your child’s hearing, see a doctor for a checkup.
Signs that your baby has earwax blockage
If you notice that your baby has these symptoms, it could be a sign of earwax blockage.
- Earache or pain in the ear area
- Tinnitus, hearing loss, or feeling like something is blocking your ear.
- Itchy feeling around the ear canal
- I hear a ringing sound in my ears.
- Hearing sounds are softer or unclear
- There may be earwax discharge or a foul odor coming from the ear.
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
If symptoms are severe, such as severe ear pain and pus draining from the ear canal, see a doctor immediately.
Treatment of earwax blockage
When you see a doctor, what might the doctor do for you?
- Ear Examination: The doctor will use an instrument to examine the inside of the ear to see how much earwax is blocked.
- Clean the ears. If the child’s earwax is very blocked, the doctor may use a suction device to remove the wax or use an earwax dissolving medication.
Baby’s ears are very small and delicate. Mothers should clean them gently. If not necessary, let the baby’s body clean itself naturally and try not to pick out the baby’s earwax by yourself. If earwax is blocked, consult a doctor for proper advice.
Translated with permission from theAsianparent Thailand
