“My daughter has a lot of wax in her ears. How can we clean them?”
My daughter is 4 years old and has a lot of wax in her ears. I was told by mother not to use Q-tips to clean them because they may actually harm her. What should I use to clean them?
6 Answers
As long as the wax doesn't obstruct the canal, it is of no significance. Some of the most commonly seen ear problems are the result of people "cleaning" their ears, usually with Q tips. As wax is formed, the top layers dry and fall out of the ear, in small pieces that you may not see. The top layer of the ear canal skin is constantly and slowly migrating toward the opening and carries wax with it. If there is excessive visible wax, wipe it away with a tissue. Leave the canal wax alone. If she is having trouble hearing, visit an ENT doc.
Cleaning wax at home can be difficult, especially on kids because you can’t expect them to hold still. If you can’t easily get the wax out of a child’s ear using tissue or a q-tip (only at the surface, not going deep into the canal), then I would see your local ENT for a cleaning.
Hello,
I recommend taking an eye dropper and placing baby oil, couple of drops, in each ear at night and covering with a cotton ball with vaseline so the drops don't come out. You can do this couple times a week and it will help a lot.
Dr. D
I recommend taking an eye dropper and placing baby oil, couple of drops, in each ear at night and covering with a cotton ball with vaseline so the drops don't come out. You can do this couple times a week and it will help a lot.
Dr. D
If no history of perforated ear drums murine ear wax system. If no help needs to be seen in office
If wax not impacted, can try 3% peroxide using dropper in both ears before shower or using bulb syringe with warm water. Can obtain Debrox and using as directed. Can go to ENT and have him/her remove wax using a microscope or by irrigation. If no hearing loss or pain, could leave alone
Q-tips are definitely a no-no. Wax that comes out can be cleaned gently with a washcloth from around the outside. The best thing is to visit your pediatric otolaryngologist who will very easily and safely remove any obstructing wax and carefully examine the status of the ear. There are over-the-counter methods, but these are sometimes not safe and may not work.
