Earwax, also called cerumen, is a combination of cells from the ear canal lining and secretions from glands in the ear canal, according to pediatric health website AskDrSears.com. Although earwax seems gunky and bothersome, it is actually an important element that acts as a barrier from external harms such as water and bacteria. However, too much earwax buildup may cause your child discomfort and hearing problems.
Symptoms
Your child might have an earwax blockage if she has an earache, a feeling of fullness in an ear, if she hears ringing or if she has decreased hearing in the affected ear, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between earwax buildup and an ear infection because a child with earwax buildup might rub or tug at her ears as if she has an ear infection, according to BabyCenter. However, only an ear infection would cause sleep problems, fever and clear, milky or bloody drainage.
Cause
Most of the time, earwax accumulates then dries and travels to the outer ear where it will wash off. In some cases, however, earwax accumulates faster than the body can get rid of it or earwax isn't cleared effectively, according to the Mayo Clinic. Earwax can also block the ear canal when a person uses a cotton swab or another small item in an attempt to clean out the ear but inadvertently pushes the wax inward.
What to Do
Clean your child's outer ears with a wet washcloth or a cotton swab if the wax is visible on the outside, suggests BabyCenter. If you think your child has wax buildup, ask a doctor to inspect your child's ears the next time you're at a check-up. If the doctor thinks the earwax has become a problem, she might use a warm liquid or a thin plastic instrument to remove some of it. She might also recommend rinsing your child's ear.
Home Treatment
A hydrogen peroxide mixed half-and-half with some water can help clear out your child's affected ear, according to AskDrSears.com. Start by asking your child to lie on her side with the plugged ear aimed upward. Place drops in her ear until they fill her ear canal, then let them stay in her ear for about five minutes, suggests AskDrSears.com. Next, have her turn her head to let the drops out. After about three to five days of doing this once a day, use a rubber-bulb syringe to squirt some warm water into her ear canal, then have her tilt her head to the side to let the water and wax out, suggests the Mayo Clinic.
Prevention
Earwax can become dense if your child is dehydrated, says BabyCenter, so ensure that your child is drinking enough water to have light yellow or clear urine. If your child's ear is often blocked, AskDrSears.com recommends using the drops in your child's ear once to twice a month to prevent too much accumulation. Finally, never use any small objects to clean out your child's ears.
