Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Spanish version
Earwax Problems
DESCRIPTION
Everyone has earwax. The color can normally vary from light
yellow to dark brown. Earwax is not dirty or abnormal, in
fact it contains natural chemicals in it that kill germs.
It also keeps dust off the eardrum and protects the lining
of the ear canal.
The ear canal is designed to clean itself. Earwax is
produced in the outer third of the ear canal. Earwax moves
outward during chewing and the normal growth of the ear
canal's lining. Every day or two, you may notice a little
earwax at the opening of the ear canal. If you do nothing,
this earwax will fall out on its own. Unless there is a
blockage, it is best to leave earwax alone. If you push the
earwax back into the ear, as usually happens when you try to
remove the wax from the inside of the ear canal, it becomes
more difficult for the wax to come out naturally.
Proceed with this guideline if earwax is completely blocking
one of the ear canals and your child can't hear on that
side. If the hearing seems normal on that side, the
blockage is only partial and you can leave it alone.
HOME CARE
- Flushing out packed earwax
- If the wax is hard, soften it first. Mineral oil or
baby oil is a good earwax softener. Put in 5 drops.
Leave the oil in for 1 to 2 hours.
- When the wax is soft, wash it out with a rubber ear
syringe or Water-Pik at the lowest setting. The
water must be at body temperature to prevent
dizziness.
- If the earwax does not seem to be coming out, flush
it with the head tilted so that the ear with the wax
is down. Gravity will help the water wash it out
(the waterfall effect).
- Flush out the ear several times, until the water that
comes out is clear and the ear canal seems open when
you look in with a light.
- CAUTION: Never put water in your child's ear if
there is any chance the eardrum has a hole in it or
if your child has ventilation tubes.
- Prevention
Nothing should be put inside the ear canal to try to
hurry the earwax process along. Using cotton swabs just
ends up packing the wax deeper. Earwax doesn't need any
help getting out. Cotton swabs also carry the risk of
damaging your child's eardrum if your child turns his
head suddenly. Tell everyone in your family that the
most common cause of earwax buildup is putting cotton
swabs into the ear canal. Another common cause is
wearing earplugs of any type.
- Removing visible earwax
In general, leave it alone. On special occasions where
earwax is right at the opening of the ear canal and you
feel compelled to remove it for cosmetic reasons, flick
it out with a bent paper clip or a little folded piece
of paper.
CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN DURING OFFICE HOURS IF:
- Flushing out the ear canal doesn't return the hearing to
normal.
- Any discharge other than earwax comes from the ear canal.
- Blockage from earwax recurs after you stop using cotton
swabs.
- You have other concerns or questions.
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