![]() If the skin were to become “ pruny ,” tiny cracks may appear allowing the natural bacteria that lives in our ear canal to enter, causing “Swimmer’s Ear” or otitis externa. Our entire ear canal is lined by skin and, to prevent this skin from becoming “ pruny ” (much like your fingers after swimming), the ear produces earwax. If your child often has ear problems, could it be glue ear? Find out.As a Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, I am not only a self - proclaimed “snot queen” but also a “wax queen !”Įarwax serves many functions.Worried about your child's hearing? Find out how to tell if your child has a hearing problem.Worried about your child’s health? Find out when you need to take your child to see a healthcare professional.Learn the signs of an ear infection to look out for.If not, they may recommend trying ear drops for a bit longer, or they may refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist who will work with you to find the right treatment to unblock your little one's ears (NICE 2021a). If ear drops haven't worked, your GP will check to see whether there's an underlying ear infection that needs treatment. If the excess earwax doesn’t go away after five days of treatment, make an appointment with your GP. The ear drops might make your child a bit uncomfortable or dizzy, and their hearing loss may get worse before it gets better (NICE 2021a), but do persevere and give them according to your pharmacist’s instructions. Giving ear drops to a wriggly toddler can be tricky, but our guide to giving your child medicine has tips to make things easier. Your pharmacist will probably advise you to try the ear drops three or four times a day, for three to five days (NICE 2021a). They may recommend using olive oil or almond oil, or chemical ear drops to soften the wax and help it fall out more easily (NHS 2021, NICE 2021a). Instead, talk to your pharmacist about using ear drops or oil. There's no evidence that they work, and they can be dangerous for your child (NICE 2021a). You should also never use ear candles to try to remove wax from your child's ears. This could push it further into their ear and cause more problems (NHS 2021, NICE 2021a), or even puncture their eardrum (NICE 2021a). How can I clean my child's ears of earwax?Firstly, don’t poke anything into your child’s ear to remove the wax, such as a cotton bud or even your finger. Read up on the symptoms of ear infections in children, and learn what to do if you think your child might have one. If your child's ear becomes very blocked, this can sometimes lead to an ear infection (NHS 2021). The most common cause of hearing problems in children is a build-up of fluid in the middle ear, known as glue ear (otitis media with effusion) (NICE 2021b). If your child is having trouble hearing, don't assume that's because of earwax. noises in their ear (tinnitus) (NHS 2021, NICE 2021a).ear pain or feeling their ears are blocked.If your child’s ear canal is blocked with too much earwax, they may have issues such as: When is earwax a problem for young children?There's no need to worry about your child's earwax unless it's causing them problems (NICE 2021a). It can happen to anyone, although some people are more prone to it than others as they naturally produce more earwax (NICE 2021a). an inflammation of their ear canal ( otitis externa or swimmer’s ear)Ī build-up of earwax doesn’t mean that your child is dirty or unclean.a skin condition affecting their scalp or around their ear.Sometimes, however, earwax can build up (NHS 2021).Ī build-up of earwax can happen if your child has: ![]() ![]() What causes earwax to build up in my child’s ear?Wax usually moves to your child’s outer ear and falls out on its own. As it dries, it becomes harder and darker, often turning to a dark brown colour (AAP nd, Herndon 2023). New earwax is usually soft and golden yellow. Healthy earwax comes in lots of different colours and textures. It traps dirt, repels water, and even has antibacterial properties to help protect your little one's ear canal (NICE 2021a). What is earwax?Earwax (cerumen) is a natural substance that helps to keep your child’s ears clean and healthy (NICE 2021a). Read on to find out what causes earwax to build up in your child's ear and what you can try at home to clean their ear of earwax. Sometimes, though, earwax can build up, causing temporary hearing loss or earache. How can I clean my child's ears of earwax?Įarwax helps your child's ears stay healthy and usually falls out on its own.When is earwax a problem for young children?.What causes earwax to build up in my child’s ear?.
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