Be careful when cleaning out the earwax in your toddler. The most common cause of wax buildup comes from cotton swabs or other items pushing wax too far into the ear. Extra earwax usually washes away on its own. Most earwax is a good thing, protecting the ear from dirt, bacteria and water. If earwax builds up too much, it can cause pain, infection and hearing problems in your toddler.
Identification of Buildup
Some common symptoms of earwax buildup in toddlers include earache, dizziness, ear ringing or noises, feeling of fullness in the ears and a temporary hearing loss. If any symptom does not go away and seems to get worse, get your toddler's ears checked by a medical professional.
Signs of Buildup
Check your toddler's ears If he exhibits increased fussiness, crying or irritability. Other warning signs are tugging at the ears or mild hearing loss. Sometimes, you can see the buildup in your toddler's ears, or you may see a yellow or brown drainage from the buildup.
Types of Treatment
Earwax blockage can be softened or cleaned out at home by using safe remedies. You can use ear drops, baby or mineral oil, and hydrogen peroxide to soften the buildup. A pediatrician can also try and irrigate your toddler's ear with warm water to flush out the wax.
Warnings on Earwax Buildup
Check with your pediatrician if your toddler experiences any symptoms such as drainage from the ear, fever, persistent hearing loss or severe pain in the ears. A fever often indicates that the ear is infected or has become an earache. While most earwax buildup causes only a temporary hearing loss, you do not want to cause any permanent damage.
Prevention of Wax Buildup
Avoid cleaning out your toddler's earwax too often. Also, if your child becomes dehydrated, the earwax can get more dense. Make sure your toddler gets plenty of liquids.
