![]() The debris-laden wax then works its way, ever so slowly, out of the ear. ![]() The cerumen traps dust, small particles, germs, even tiny insects that find their way into your ear canal. Our ears produce wax for their own protection, as part of an efficient self-cleaning mechanism. Overly zealous ear cleaning techniques, particularly when using cotton swabs in the ear canal, may push down the cerumen and promote impaction.įor the most part, however, ear wax is healthy and normal and you need not do anything other than clean the child’s outer ear with a washcloth (or, very carefully, with a cotton swab). Sometimes the ears produce too much wax and it can build up and become impacted. This may keep the tubes from draining fluid out of the ear and preventing repeat middle ear infections (otitis media). Earwax blockage treatments include drops to soften the wax or manual removal at your healthcare provider’s. In most cases, earwax impaction isn’t dangerous and symptoms go away with treatment. On occasion, ear wax, or cerumen, can block the end of the ear tubes. Untreated earwax buildup can lead to hearing loss, irritation, pain in your ear, dizziness, ringing in your ears and other issues. Contact the child’s ear doctor or pediatrician. However, the wax itself poses less of a potential problem than using a wax-removal product in a child with tubes or a history of ear infections. If you often deal with wax buildup, routine ear irrigations may help prevent the condition.Ultimately, it is possible that something may need to be done to remove wax that has hardened or built up. It might be necessary to do this several times. Allow water to drain by tipping your head.Water that’s too cold or too warm can cause dizziness. With a syringe, send a stream of body-temperature water into your ear.Keep the head down for at least a minute or two so the medication can fully coat the canal. Gently push on the ear flap to help move the liquid in deeper. Carefully put the recommended number of drops into the ear canal. Gently pull the earlobe out and up to straighten the ear canal. Hold the outside of your ear and pull it gently upward. Lay your head on the towel with the affected ear up.Stand or sit with your head in an upright position.To properly irrigate your ear, follow the directions provided with an over-the-counter kit, or follow these steps: They produce more force than your eardrum can safely tolerate. Never use products that were made for irrigating your mouth or teeth. Irrigation of a ruptured eardrum could cause hearing loss or infection. ![]() Never attempt to irrigate your ear if you have an ear injury or have had a medical procedure done on your ear. ![]() You can also use the following substances:Īnother way to remove earwax buildup is by irrigating the ear. To soften earwax, you can purchase over-the-counter drops made specifically for this purpose. Only use cotton swabs on the outer portion of your ears if necessary. However, you’ll often be able to get rid of the excess earwax yourself. This can cause major damage to your ear and lead to infection or hearing loss. You should never attempt to dig out earwax buildup yourself. A hearing aid can also contribute to a wax blockage. In fact, most cases of conductive hearing loss in older adults are caused by earwax buildup. Some adults may let wax buildup go until it begins obstructing hearing. Earwax in older adultsĮarwax can also be problematic in older adults. Also, if you notice your child sticking their finger or other objects in their ear out of irritation, you might want to ask their doctor to check their ears for wax buildup. Your child’s doctor may also notice excess wax during regular ear exams and remove it as needed. If you suspect your child has earwax buildup or a blockage, it’s best to see a pediatrician. While it may be tempting to remove the wax, doing so can damage your child’s ears. Earwax in childrenĬhildren, like adults, naturally produce earwax. A full medical evaluation can help determine whether the problem is due to excess earwax or another health issue entirely. See your doctor if any of these symptoms are frequent. It’s important to note that hearing loss, dizziness, and earaches also have many other causes. Contact your doctor if you experience the symptoms of infection, such as: Unremoved earwax buildup can lead to infection.
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