How to Clean Ear Wax in a Child
Ear wax is unsightly, but it serves a valuable purpose. The sticky substance traps dirt and other particles that could cause irritation or infection in the ear. In most cases, there is no need to go to great lengths to remove ear wax, but impacted ear wax can sometimes harden and interfere with hearing. In these cases, the wax can often be successfully removed at home.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Regular Cleaning
-
1
Check the outer ear for excess ear wax.
-
2
Wet a washcloth with lukewarm water, and wrap it around your index finger.
-
-
3
Wipe the outer ear gently without pushing wax back into the ear canal.
Removing a Blockage
-
4
Choose an over-the-counter solution for removing ear wax, or mix a small amount of hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of water, according to Dr. William Sears.
-
5
Warm the mixture by holding it in your hands for a few minutes.
-
6
Have your child lie down, and slowly place a few drops of the solution into his ear using a dropper. Try to keep the drops in for five minutes to soften the wax. If your child is unhappy, just leave the drops in as long as you can.
-
7
Place a washcloth over the ear. Have your child turn over to allow the drops to flow back out.
-
8
Repeat the process daily for three to five days. Then flush the ear with a bulb syringe filled with lukewarm water to remove the remaining ear wax.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Consider calling or visiting your child's doctor before attempting to remove impacted ear wax to rule out other ear problems.
If you cannot safely remove impacted ear wax at home, your child's doctor can remove it with a special ear wax scoop.
If your child appears to have hearing loss, sharp ear pain, fever, ringing in the ears, persistent itching of the ears or liquid discharge, contact a doctor, according to St. John Health System.
Do not put drops, or anything else, into the ear if you suspect your child has a ruptured eardrum.
Avoid putting cotton swabs into your child's ear; they can rupture the eardrum or push wax into the ear canal and cause a blockage.
Never put objects, including fingers, deep into the ear canal.
