While you may not like the look of earwax in your child's ear, some wax is necessary to keep the ears protected, clean and lubricated. Earwax provides a barrier against harmful substances, such as bacteria, that could enter the ear, and it keeps the ears from feeling dry and itchy. Most of the time, the ears maintain the proper amount of wax needed for these important functions, but wax can sometimes build up and cause discomfort. If your toddler develops such a buildup, it is important to remove it to keep her hearing sharp and prevent irritation.
Causes
Earwax normally dries and exits the ear canal, allowing you to wipe it away. If your child has a buildup of earwax, it may be because he produces new earwax faster than the old wax can dry and fall out. And if your toddler does not drink enough fluids, he may develop thick earwax that is more likely to build up in the ear, according to BabyCenter. Do not use cotton swabs, your finger or other items to try to clean your child's ear canal; you risk pushing the wax deeper into the ear, causing a buildup.
Symptoms
Your toddler may tug at her ears or show other signs that she is experiencing discomfort. If your child's ears become impacted with earwax, she may complain of an earache or feel that her ear is stopped up. A wax buildup also can lead to ringing in the ear, partial hearing loss, itching, odor, discharge or even coughing, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. You may be able to see the wax just by looking into your child's ears, according to BabyCenter.
Treatment
If you think your toddler has an excessive amount of earwax, talk to his pediatrician. A doctor can remove an earwax blockage with a scoop or suction device if necessary. You might be able to remove the blockage at home. You can place over-the-counter earwax removal drops, a mixture of half hydrogen peroxide and half water, mineral oil or baby oil in the ear for a few minutes to soften the wax. After the wax is softened, you may be able to flush it out using a bulb syringe filled with lukewarm water, according to pediatrician William Sears of AskDrSears.com. If earwax buildup is a frequent problem for your child, his doctor may instruct you to rinse his ears regularly or prescribe medication to prevent impaction.
Considerations
The symptoms of an ear infection and an earwax buildup can be similar. If your child has fever or trouble sleeping, she may have an ear infection instead of an earwax blockage. However, your toddler may have an ear infection without fever or sleeping problems. Consult your child's doctor to determine the cause if she has ear symptoms that concern you.
Warning
Never place any object in the ear canal in an attempt to remove earwax. You may push the wax deeper into the ear, which will make the problem worse, or you could puncture your child's eardrum. If you suspect your child has a ruptured eardrum, never put any liquid or other products into the ear; this could cause an infection. Never try to remove wax with ear candles, which can cause burns, impactions and ruptured ear drums, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
