What is earwax?
Everyone has earwax. The color can normally vary from light
yellow to dark brown. Earwax is not dirty or abnormal, in
fact it contains natural chemicals in it that kill germs.
It also keeps dust off the eardrum and protects the lining
of the ear canal.
The ear canal is designed to clean itself. Earwax is
produced in the outer third of the ear canal. Earwax moves
outward during chewing and the normal growth of the ear
canal's lining. Every day or two, you may notice a little
earwax at the opening of the ear canal. If you do nothing,
this earwax will fall out on its own. Unless there is a
blockage, it is best to leave earwax alone. If you push the
earwax back into the ear, as usually happens when you try to
remove the wax from the inside of the ear canal, it becomes
more difficult for the wax to come out naturally.
How do I flush out my child's earwax?
Use the following instructions for flushing out earwax only
if earwax is completely blocking one of the ear canals and
your child can't hear on that side. If the hearing seems
normal on that side, the blockage is only partial and you
can leave it alone.
- If the wax is hard, soften it first. Use a 15% baking
soda solution. Make it by adding 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 mL) of
baking soda to 2 teaspoons (10 mL) of water. Fill the ear
canal and leave it in for 1 hour. After an hour, most the
earwax should be dissolved.
- When the wax is soft, wash it out with water. A little
hydrogen peroxide can be added to the water. Use a rubber
ear syringe or Water-Pik at the lowest setting. The water
must be at body temperature to prevent dizziness.
- If the earwax does not seem to be coming out, flush it
with the head tilted so that the ear with the wax is
down. Gravity will help the water wash it out (the
waterfall effect).
- Flush out the ear several times, until the water that
comes out is clear and the ear canal seems open when you
look in with a light.
CAUTION: Never put water in your child's ear if there is
any chance the eardrum has a hole in it or if your child has
ventilation tubes.
How can I help prevent earwax problems?
Nothing should be put inside the ear canal to try to hurry
the earwax process along. Using cotton swabs just ends up
packing the wax deeper. Earwax doesn't need any help
getting out. Cotton swabs also carry the risk of damaging
your child's eardrum if your child turns his head suddenly.
Tell everyone in your family that the most common cause of
earwax buildup is putting cotton swabs into the ear canal.
Another common cause is wearing earplugs of any type.
How should I remove earwax?
In general, leave it alone. On special occasions where
earwax is right at the opening of the ear canal and you feel
compelled to remove it for cosmetic reasons, flick it out
with a little folded piece of paper.
When should I call my child's health care provider?
Call during office hours if:
- Flushing out the ear canal doesn't return the hearing to
normal.
- Any discharge other than earwax comes from the ear canal.
- Blockage from earwax recurs after you stop using cotton
swabs.
- You have other concerns or questions.
