So with that being said, here’s what you need to know about the dos and dont's of looking after your children’s ear health.
Should I Worry About Ear Wax?
Honestly, you should consider checking your child’s ears at least once a day just to make sure they are not having a problem. With that said, do not be afraid of ear wax. Your child may have a lot of ear wax, but the wax can actually help stop fungus and bacteria from growing inside the ear. This is thanks to the enzymes that are inside the wax. It can also provide a barrier to water, dust and dirt that could end up travelling down the ear canal towards the ear drum.You should not be scared of ear wax because it serves a function to keep your ears healthy. The wax regulates itself. Honestly, you should only be concerned if the wax ends up becoming compacted and starts causing hearing loss. If that’s the case, you should see a doctor.
How do I Clean my Child’s Ears?
When you clean your child’s ears, it’s best to keep things simple. If there’s a lot of ear wax that has come out of their ears, you should use a tissue or towel to wash the excess away. Bath time is a great time to introduce this as can clean behind their ears with water and soap after during washing. If you want to dry your child’s ears, ask your child to tilt their head so that their ear can be placed next to a towel. This should let the water drip out of their ear, alongside any loose wax. You can then do the opposite side and make sure there is no excess water left inside the ear.You should remind your child not to put anything in their ears, including toys, playdough, or beads. If you notice anything is stuck, or your child says something is stuck, take them to a doctor to have it removed.
What Should I Avoid Doing?
Try to avoid cleaning your child’s ears too often. As stated previously, the ears can look after themselves, so if you try to clean out all of the earwax, you may end up stimulating their ears to create even more. The lack of ear wax could also cause infection, so if you need to clean your child’s ears, use a damp towel or cloth to give their ears a wipe during a bath or shower. Less is more!Avoid putting anything in your child’s ears if you are trying to clean them. Cotton swabs can end up pushing the wax further into the ear canal or can even puncture the ear drum. This could mean your child could suffer from hearing loss. You should also avoid using ear candles and syringes. Remember - the smallest thing you should put in your ear is your elbow!
If your child does start to suffer from an ear problem, you can speak to an otolaryngologist, or ear doctor, to find out what procedure would be best to fix it.
Children’s ear health can feel like a tricky topic when you first approach it. The inside of the ear is sensitive and can be easily prone to damage. So, whether you discover an ear wax removal procedure in Bexley or decide to go somewhere a little closer to home, when in doubt, seek help from a specialist. An otolaryngologist can advise you on how you can keep your child’s ears healthy. If you have any concerns, they can diagnose the issue and refer you on to a more specialist treatment. That’s why you should never be afraid of contacting a doctor if you are feeling concerned.
This is a collaborative post.