Do you notice ear wax building up within your child’s ears? When this happens, your natural inclination may be to use a cotton swab to clean the ear canal and remove the ear wax. However, do you know that you should avoid doing so? Rather than safely removing the ear wax, you could be pushing it deeper into the ear canal. Over time, the wax becomes impacted as it builds up.
Moreover, cleaning your child’s ears with a cotton swab may increase their risk of developing an outer ear infection. As the outer ear becomes dry due to the absence of ear wax, it is more prone to getting cuts, which can lead to an infection. There is also the chance you might injure the eardrum or hearing bone if the cotton swab is inserted too far into your child’s ears.
So, how can you promptly manage ear wax buildup to avoid discomfort and prevent it from affecting your child’s hearing? Fret not! Let our paediatric ENT specialist, Dr Jenica Yong, share the ins and outs of ear wax removal and the safe practices to adopt to ensure your child’s comfort and hearing clarity.
Ear wax often gets a bad rap and is generally seen as a nuisance that requires regular cleaning and removal. However, it serves an essential role in maintaining the health and well-being of our ears, acting as a natural barrier to shield our ear canal and eardrum from foreign particle intrusion and prevent them from causing harm. Beyond this protective role, ear wax also lubricates and moisturises the skin within the ear canal, ensuring it functions optimally.
However, regular ear wax removal remains essential, especially for children. That is because their ear canals are often narrower than adults’, making it challenging for ear wax to flow out of their ears naturally. This anatomical difference also makes it easier for ear wax to accumulate, resulting in an increased likelihood of buildup over time.
Furthermore, children are naturally inquisitive. This curiosity can manifest in actions such as inserting foreign objects, like their fingers or toys, into their ear canals. Such behaviours can disrupt the natural flow of wax and introduce additional debris that contributes to the buildup. Over time, the excess wax may lead to a blockage, causing discomfort, temporary hearing loss, and even ear infections.
Learn More: What Should You Do When You Have Excessive Earwax
As a parent, you play a pivotal role in managing ear wax buildup in your child and maintaining their ear health. Fortunately, you can safely and effectively address excess ear wax and enhance your child’s quality of life by adopting the following paediatric ear hygiene tips.
Depending on your child’s age, they might not be capable of expressing how they feel or any problems they may encounter. As such, it is up to you to pay close attention to your child and notice if they are exhibiting any signs of ear discomfort or hearing issues.
In addition, regularly check your child’s ears for visible signs of excessive wax accumulation. Since the rate of earwax production varies from one person to another, it is recommended to inspect your child’s ears at least once a month. By observing and monitoring their ear health, you can catch potential issues quickly.
Our ears are self-cleaning, with mechanisms in place to push earwax outwards towards the ear canal opening, where it will fall out or be washed away. As such, excessive intervention is not necessary. However, if you notice a buildup of ear wax around your child’s outer ear, consider cleaning it gently to help alleviate the issue.
It is advisable to use a soft, clean, and damp cloth to clean the outer ear, avoiding the ear canal. As we have shared, avoid using cotton swabs for ear wax removal, as they can push the wax deeper or cause damage to the eardrum.
Over-the-counter ear drops contain gentle ingredients, like saline solution or hydrogen peroxide, that can soften and facilitate safe ear wax removal. Before administering the ear drops, ensure your child has no ear infection or eardrum perforation. If your child develops ear discharge or ear pain after applying the eardrops, stop using them and consult a paediatric ENT specialist immediately.
If you still notice signs of infection like discharge, ear pain, and tugging, or observe your child displaying hearing difficulties despite your best effort in managing their ear wax buildup, consider seeking professional help. An ENT surgeon can assess your child’s condition and recommend the appropriate ear wax removal treatment to eliminate the excess wax accumulated within their ears.
Is your child experiencing discomfort from excess ear wax buildup? In that case, do not hesitate to consult Dr Jenica Yong. As a paediatric ENT specialist, Dr Yong takes extra precautions to ensure the health and well-being of your child and prevent future complications.
Contact our clinic to schedule an appointment with Dr. Yong today.
