Why Do Ears Make Wax?
Earwax is made in the outer ear canal, the area between the fleshy part of the ear on the outside of the head and the middle ear. The medical term for earwax is cerumen (seh-ROO-mun).
Earwax has some important jobs. It:
- acts as a waterproof lining of the ear canal, protecting it and the eardrum from germs that can cause infection
- traps dirt, dust, and other particles, keeping them from injuring or irritating the eardrum
The wax makes its way through the outer ear canal to the opening of the ear. Then it either falls out or comes out during bathing. In most people, the outer ear canal makes earwax all the time, so the canal always has enough wax in it.
Does Earwax Need to Be Removed?
Usually, there's no need to remove earwax because it comes out by itself. Sticking anything into a child's ears raises the risk of infection or damage to the ear canal or eardrum. Cotton swabs are handy for a variety of grooming needs, but should not be used to remove earwax. In most cases, regular bathing is enough to keep it at healthy levels.
While some people have more earwax than others, in general the ear makes as much wax as it needs. Rarely, kids' ears do make too much earwax. And sometimes earwax can build up and block the ear canal, especially when pushed in by a finger, cotton swab, or other object. This is called "impaction." If it affects hearing or causes pain or discomfort, a doctor can remove it.
Parents — and kids — shouldn't attempt to remove earwax at home, even with remedies that promise to be safe and effective. Doing so risks damage to the ear canal and, possibly, a child's hearing.
What Can Parents Do?
If your child complains of ear discomfort and you see earwax in the ear, it's OK to wipe the outside of the ear with a washcloth. But don't use a cotton swab, a finger, or anything else to poke inside the ear. It could damage the delicate ear canal and eardrum, or pack the wax in even further.
Check with your doctor before using an over-the-counter earwax removal treatment.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Call the doctor if your child has:
- ear pain, itchiness, or discomfort (like a blocked feeling in the ears)
- hearing problems
In infants and toddlers, tugging at the ears can be sign of an ear problem.
Sometimes doctors will remove earwax:
- if it's painful, itchy, or uncomfortable
- if affects hearing
- to get a better view of the eardrum to check for problems
Earwax removal usually is done in the doctor's office. There might be a little discomfort but it isn't painful. If a child can't sit still or cooperate, the doctor can remove it in an operating room while the child is under general anesthesia.
Doctors can remove earwax in different ways, including:
- scooping it out, pulling it out, or suctioning it out with special instruments designed for this purpose
- flushing it out with warm water. Sometimes a doctor will put drops into the ear canal to soften the wax and break it down. Or they might ask you to do this at home and then return to the doctor for wax removal.
Removal takes only a few minutes. If there's a sign of infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotic ear drops.
What Else Should I Know?
Ear candling has gained a lot of attention as a home remedy for earwax removal. But it hasn't been proved to be safe or effective, and can be dangerous.
In ear candling, one end of a cone-type device is inserted into the ear canal and the other end is set on fire. The idea is that the fire and the cone form a vacuum and extract the wax. But trying this at home carries a high risk of:
- burning the ear canal
- punching a hole in the eardrum, which can cause permanent hearing damage
Whenever you have any concerns about your child's ears or hearing, call your doctor.
FAQs
What Can Parents Do? If your child complains of ear discomfort and you see earwax in the ear, it's OK to wipe the outside of the ear with a washcloth. But don't use a cotton swab, a finger, or anything else to poke inside the ear. It could damage the delicate ear canal and eardrum, or pack the wax in even further.
When advising parents on ear cleansing what techniques are recommended? ›
Do use a damp cloth/paper towel to remove any wax that has migrated outside of the bowl of the ear. It's sufficient enough to clean your ear without causing any damage. Don't use cotton swabs. They push wax further into the eardrum, causing a rupture, infection, or hearing loss.
How do you get excess wax out of a child's ear? ›
Dr. Govil recommends using over-the-counter earwax removal drops, or making your own with a 50:50 mixture of mineral oil and vinegar or a 50:50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and distilled water. “Using an eye dropper you can get at the pharmacy, put a couple of drops in the ears once a day for about a week,” Dr.
How do you remove ear wax from an elderly person? ›
The main approaches to removing earwax include the use of wax softeners (such as olive oil drops, sodium bicarbonate drops, or water) prior to mechanical removal using electronically controlled irrigation of the ear canal (flushing the wax out using water), or microsuction (using a vacuum to suck the wax out).
Is it safe to remove ear wax for kids? ›
That's true — it's not a good idea to stick anything into a child's ears. Doing so raises the risk of infection or permanently damaging eardrums and hearing. Regular bathing should be enough to keep earwax at normal levels.
What should patients who have earwax buildup be instructed to do? ›
If the doctor recommends that you try to remove earwax at home: Soften and loosen the earwax with warm mineral oil. You also can try hydrogen peroxide mixed with an equal amount of room temperature water. Place 2 drops of the fluid, warmed to body temperature, in the ear 2 times a day for up to 5 days.
What instruction is appropriate for a client who wants to clean their ear canal? ›
To clean the ears wash the external ear with a cloth but do not insert anything into the ear canal. Most cases of ear wax blockage respond to home treatments used to soften wax. Patients can try placing a few drops of mineral oil baby oil glycerin or commercial drops in the ear.
How do you get a big chunk of ear wax out? ›
How can you care for yourself at home?
- Soften and loosen the earwax with warm mineral oil. ...
- Once the wax is loose and soft, all that is usually needed to remove it from the ear canal is a gentle, warm shower. ...
- If the warm mineral oil and shower do not work, use an over-the-counter wax softener.
Excessive earwax can build up in children if they are prone to ear infections, have small ear canals, or experienced ear trauma. Hearing aids, earbuds, and improper wax removal can also lead to excess earwax. Too much earwax can cause painful and uncomfortable symptoms.
How to scoop out ear wax at home? ›
People should not poke anything into the ear to remove earwax, but gently dripping hydrogen peroxide, ear drops, or baby oil into the ear will soften the wax, which may cause it to come out. Earwax, also called cerumen, serves an essential function in the body.
If the aim is to completely break down the wax, waxsol, peroxide 3% or a sodium bicarbonate solution (which can be prepared by your local pharmacist) is effective.
What dissolves human ear wax? ›
The medical term for earwax is cerumen, and hydrogen peroxide is a cerumenolytic, which means that it can soften, break down, and dissolve earwax. Ear drops can contain a variety of forms of hydrogen peroxide. A common type is carbamide hydroxide, which adds oxygen to the wax, causing it to bubble.
How to syringe ear wax out? ›
Hold the nozzle inside the ear canal (not too deeply) and gently squirt the water from the bulb syringe into the ear. You can gently squirt more water into the ear if needed. Leave the water in your ear for 1-3 minutes to soften the wax. Tilt your head over the sink so the water can fall out.
Why should you not remove wax from your ears? ›
Some people under a doctor's care may require regular cleanings, but this is not the case for everyone. More damage can be created by trying to clean or remove ear wax versus just leaving it alone. “The skin in the ear is very thin and even slight trauma from such a device can cause injury,” Brant noted.
How to open a blocked ear at home? ›
If your ears are plugged, try swallowing, yawning or chewing sugar-free gum to open your eustachian tubes. If this doesn't work, take a deep breath and try to blow out of your nose gently while pinching your nostrils closed and keeping your mouth shut. If you hear a popping noise, you know you have succeeded.
Is hydrogen peroxide good for ear wax? ›
Hydrogen peroxide is a solution (liquid) that can be used to treat ear infections or the build-up of wax. It is generally safe to use in all ears. Do not use if it irritates you or causes pain. You can buy 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide from your local chemist – no prescription is required.
What are recommended ways to clean ears? ›
Safe ways to remove earwax
Clean the outside of your ear with a damp cloth. If you choose to use cotton swabs, don't insert them into the ear canal. You can use earwax softener to soften earwax for easier removal. You can use a syringe to irrigate your ears.
What is an important first step when preparing to clean a patient's ears? ›
Pretreat the patient's ear with 2-4 drops of warm water. Wait at least 15 minutes for the earwax to soften. If the patient says they are experiencing pain, dizziness, tinnitus, or have earwax remains even after 500 mL of fluid has been used, notify their healthcare provider immediately.
What precautions should you observe when cleaning your ears? ›
Dr. Honaker advises cleaning your ears only with a washcloth on your finger. No Q-tips®, bobby pins or sharp pointed objects. Those things can injure your ear canal and eardrum.
