Earwax in children plays an important role in their overall ear health. It helps to protect ears from dirt, dust and bacteria, Including keeping the ear canal soft and lubricated. Earwax generally causes no issues in children; however sometime ear wax can start to build up and lead to other problems.
Too much earwax in children can cause unpleasant symptoms such as ear ache, muffled hearing, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and even dizziness. Depending on the age of the child, it may be difficult for them to communicate how their ears may be feeling. As parents, you may notice your child touches or tugs their ear more than usual, has difficulties hearing sounds or just generally feels irritable. If this is the case, the child may have impacted earwax which should be checked by a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
You should avoid inserting anything in to your child’s ears to clean them. Things such as cotton buds, hairpins, or other sharp objects can damage the child’s ear causing more harm than good. Putting objects inside your child’s ears can also push the ear wax deeper inside causing a blockage.
The best way to keep your child’s ears clean are by using a soft, damp cloth during their bath time, and only cleaning the outer part of the ear. Natural jaw movements from chewing and talking will help to more the earwax through the ear canal into the outer part of the ear. For blocked earwax, olive oil drops can help soften wax, but always use this option under medical advice.
