3 Home Remedies To Remove Ear Wax In Kids

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Ear wax in kids is a common occurrence. Ear wax, also known as cerumen, is a normal secretion and a part of the ears’ self-cleaning mechanism. It usually gets expelled from the ear through the jaw’s motions, such as chewing or talking. Nonetheless, if the wax gets clogged in the ear and causes build-up, it might eventually impair hearing abilities. This is known as impacted ear wax, and the process of this build-up is known as impaction. In case of a build-up, the child might complain of discomfort. The wax can be wiped off using a cloth or in a clinic.

Read about the importance of ear wax, symptoms of its impaction, risk factors, treatments, and home measures to remove ear wax in children.

Why Do Ears Make Wax?

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Ear wax (cerumen) is produced by the ear for cleaning and protecting itself (1). It is a thinly coated sticky, waterproof, and protective layer near the external opening of the ear canals. It comprises dead skin cells and hair along with the following three components (2) (3).

• Keratin: It is the predominant component of cerumen and acts as a protective barrier.

• Sweat: It is secreted by the modified sweat glands (ceruminous glands). These glands secrete a modified sweat that has bactericidal and fungicidal properties.

• Sebum: It is the oil produced by the sebaceous glands. The oil compromises fat molecules (lipids), which keep the ear canal lubricated.

Together, these three components of ear wax protect the ear canals from physical damage and microbial invasion. Along with the hair outside the ear canals, ear wax traps dust and other foreign particles that can damage ear structures, such as the eardrums. 

Did you know?

The ear canal’s lining constantly renews naturally. Chewing and talking, along with the renewal process, helps move wax out of the ear (4).

What Are The Symptoms Of Ear Wax Build-up?

Ear wax build-up or impacted cerumen usually does not cause any discomfort and comes out on its own (4). However, in some cases, excess ear wax may cause ear canal blockage, mild hearing impairment, and various other ear-related symptoms, including (3):

• Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)

• Earache or pain in the ear (otalgia)

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• Dizziness (vertigo)

• Irritation in the ear

• Foul smell from the ear canal

• Ear discharge

• Itchiness in the ear

• A sensation of fullness in the ear

What Are The Risk Factors For Ear Wax Build-up In Children?

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Ear wax build-up or impacted cerumen can occur in any individual, regardless of age, gender, or clinical status. However, in a healthy population, it has been estimated that ear wax build-up is more common in the pediatric population (1 in 10 children) than in adults (1 in 20 adults).

The frequent incorrect use of cotton swabs or insertion of other items for ear cleaning is the most common cause of impacted ear wax. Ear swabs and other items push the wax deeper, causing it to become impacted. Ear protection is necessary, and cotton swabs should never be used for children (5).

Dr. Rachel Dawkins, MD, Medical Director and Director of clinical experiences for physicians in training at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, says the following about cleaning a child’s ear with cotton swabs, “First I would say, don’t. If you feel the need to clean ears use the corner of a washcloth.”

Besides cotton swabs, the following factors may also increase the child’s risk of developing ear wax build-up (3).

• Use of ear plugs, earbuds, and hearing aids

• Children with developmental delay

• Certain skin diseases, such as eczemaⁱXA skin condition characterized by red, itchy, and dry patches in response to specific foods and medications

• Anatomical changes in the ear, such as stenosis (narrowing) or osteoma (benign bony growths in the external ear canals)

• Failed keratinocyte separation in the external ear canals as part of skin turnover

• Overgrowth of hair in the ear canals

When To See A Doctor?

You should consult a doctor if your child experiences the following conditions.

• Ear discharge

• Continuous pulling and tugging of the ear

• Impaired hearing

• Dizziness and ringing in the ear

• Earache due to otitis media

A doctor will check for the possible reasons for ear wax build-up, including the presence of underlying health conditions, causing excess ear wax formation, or its poor movement.

What Is The Treatment For Ear Wax Build-up?

The treatment will depend on the underlying cause of ear wax build-up and the extent of ear wax impaction. You may be referred to an otorhinolaryngologist (ENT specialist) specializing in ear wax removal.

The doctor may consider any of the following treatments to remove excess ear wax (6).

1. Irrigation or ear wax flushing: A mixture of slightly warm water, saline, and other wax-softening agents is poured into the ear canal through an ear syringe. The doctor may wait for a few minutes before sending a mild jet of saline solution to flush out the loosened ear wax.

2. Manual removal: The doctor inserts an endoscope, a tube with a camera on its end, inside the ear canal to view it on a monitor. Specialized tools are then used to chip the impacted ear wax and suction it out gently.

3. Medication: Recurrent impacted cerumen may require medication. The doctor may prescribe child-safe medicated ear drops for relief from ear wax build-up.

How To Remove Ear Wax At Home?

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If your child is younger than six years, it’s important to prioritize their ear health and see a doctor for any ear wax build-up. You may consider the following home remedies for children older than six years (7).

1. Child-safe ear wax softener ear drops: These drops are often hydrogen peroxide-based. Avoid those with carbamide peroxideⁱXA common medicine used in softening and removing ear wax besides other purposes if your child is younger than 12 years since the compound could be unsafe for them (8). You may use the drops for four days or as directed on the packaging.

Caution

Avoid using ear drops if a child has ear tubes or if there’s a hole in their eardrumⁱXA thin tissue that separates the outer and middle ear and vibrates to sound waves to send signals to the brain (10).

2. Baking soda solution: You may make homemade baking soda ear drops by mixing a quarter teaspoon (1.25ml) of baking soda with two teaspoons (10ml) of water. Add five drops in the affected ear twice a day for four days.

3. Ear canal flushing: You will need a bulb syringe, which you can purchase at a pharmacy. Suction some lukewarm water in the syringe and squirt it into the ear canal. Wait for a few seconds and then tilt the child’s head to let the water out. You may do this three to four times in one session. This needs to be done only following the advice of a doctor.

Quick tip

At the end of the flushing process, dry the ear thoroughly. For that, put a drop of rubbing alcohol in the ear canal. Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer set on low. Hold it a foot away from the ear for ten seconds (10).

Infographic: How Does Earwax Color Relate To Health?

Accumulation of earwax is a normal phenomenon, and in most cases, it is not something to worry about. However, sometimes, the earwax changes its color and texture to indicate health conditions or infections. Through this infographic, let’s learn what the different colors of earwax indicate about children’s health.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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Dr. Neema ShresthaMD

Dr. Neema Shrestha is a pediatrician with a special interest in the field of neonatology. She has an overall experience of five years working in the field. Currently working in Kathmandu, Nepal, she completed her MBBS from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal in 2008, Diploma in Child Health from D.Y. Patil University in 2011, MD from Nepal Medical College in 2015...more

Reshmi DasMSc

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a clinical coordinator, medical content writer and medical conference coordinator. Her continuous interest in medical journals and writing makes her write well-researched articles for MomJunction. She writes health and wellness articles for children and pregnant and lactating women. Reshmi has completed her post graduation in Biotechnology from MITS School of Biotechnology,...more

Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College. During her clinical practice, pediatric dentistry was her particular area of interest, and she constantly thrived to...more

Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer. Her research work was published in international journals and publications, such...more