how to clean baby ears
Are you beginning to notice some yellowish earwax coming out of your baby's ears? Are you wondering if it's safe to use a cotton swab to clean the drainage?
Babies can be complicated little mites to take care of — there are so many do's and don'ts. Another thing to be mindful of is their fragile ears.
Babies get earwax buildup just like adults. However, they do require a different method of handling that sticky situation.
In this article, we break down everything you need to know about baby earwax and how to clean your baby's ears.
- What Is Earwax?
- How Much Earwax Is Normal?
- How to Clean Baby Ears
- Could It Be an Ear Infection?
What Is Earwax?
Earwax is a naturally occurring protectant the body produces from dead skin cells and a sticky matter created by the glands. The medical term for earwax is cerumen (1).
Inside your baby's ear, there are several glands, called ceruminous glands. These continually produce a sticky substance that quickly mixes with skin cells and thickens.
Usually, the color of earwax is either yellow, orange, or even sometimes brownish, with a dense waxy feel. However, for smaller children and babies, it tends to have a much softer and lighter texture.
Earwax is generally no big deal for your little one. It will likely build-up, dry out, and eventually fall out (pretty gross, but that's how it is).
It might happen that the glands in your baby's ears are making more earwax than the body can get rid of. Thus, a buildup occurs. Unfortunately, a buildup can also take place due to a well-meaning parent inserting a cotton swab into the baby's ear canal.
A prolonged buildup of earwax can lead to decreased hearing, as well as irritated ears.
What Is the Purpose of Earwax?
Earwax is an important part of the ear. You see, the reason why earwax is so thick and sticky is so it can trap dirt, dust, or other particles that may enter the ear. If there was no earwax, the ear canal would be susceptible to infections and other unwanted intruders (2).
Besides acting as a barrier, earwax actually holds a few chemicals that can help fight off infections. These chemicals will keep the environment inside your little one's ears healthy and happy.
The chemicals can also moisturize the skin inside the ear canal. This, in turn, will help prevent dry, itchy ears.
How Much Earwax Is Normal?
There is really no typical amount of earwax your baby can have in their ears. Some may have more than others, whereas there are babies that produce more in one ear than the other.
It might be worth mentioning to your pediatrician if you often see earwax oozing from your baby's ear. When a pediatrician inspects your baby's ears, he or she can quickly tell if there is too much wax.
If the doctor can see through the wax and into the eardrum, then your baby's ears are fine. However, if the wax is clogging up the view, he or she will likely recommend that you use some type of drops.
How to Clean Baby Ears
When it comes to cleaning baby ears, there are more don'ts than do's. Small ears are vulnerable and can easily suffer damage.
Remember:
- Don't: Use Q-tips or cotton swabs to clean your baby's ears. If you insert anything into their ear canal, it will most likely push the wax further inside. Or even worse, puncture their eardrum. The mucosa that lines the ear canal is also very sensitive and can easily bleed, even from the friction of using a cotton swab.
- Don't: Use your fingers! Even your pinky finger is larger than a cotton swab and will likely cause damage.
Clean Baby Ears Using a Washcloth
Ask pretty much any pediatrician and they will likely tell you the best way to clean baby ears is with a washcloth.
This method is not for cleaning the inner part of the ear. Instead, it will just remove some of the excess wax or dirt sitting on the outside.
You can also use a Q-tip for this. But keep it outside the ear only.
Here's what you do:
- Grab a clean washcloth: Use one that is soft and baby-friendly.
- Wet it with some warm water: Make sure it isn't too hot. You don't need to add any soap.
- Before proceeding: Wring out all the excess water. Liquids can drip into your little one's ear and cause a build up.
- Take the washcloth and wipe: Gently rub the surface around your baby's ear. Wipe the corners and crevices, but don't try to insert the cloth into the ear itself.
- When finished: Clean the washcloth before proceeding with the other ear. If the ear is a little wet, dab it gently with a soft towel.
Could It Be an Ear Infection?
An ear infection is when the middle part of the ear becomes inflamed. It occurs as fluid build-up just behind the eardrum, where bacteria then spreads and triggers an inflammatory response.
Ear infections are prevalent among young children. Estimates suggest that approximately five out of six will experience at least one infection before their third birthday (3). This is why it has also become one of the most common reasons parents seek medical attention.
Children are much more vulnerable to ear infections. This is because their ear tubes are narrower than those of adults. So fluids can quickly clog up the system, where bacteria tend to gravitate toward.
Ear infections are more common in infants an toddlers because the connection between the nasal cavity and middle ear (Eustachian tube) is horizontal, allowing any nasal fluid to pass through easily. As kids grow, the skull elongates and creates a more vertical connection, preventing the backflow of congestion (4).
Editor's Note:
Dr. Leah Alexander, MD, FAAP
If you suspect your little one has an ear infection, look for these signs before calling the pediatrician:
- Touching the ears: Continually tugging or pulling at the ears.
- Uneasy: They might be extra fussy or perhaps crying more than usual.
- Trouble sleeping: This could include falling asleep or staying asleep without fussiness.
- Fever: This symptom is more common in younger babies and infants.
- Fluid coming from the ear: This might be mistaken for earwax, and vice versa.
- Extra clumsy: They may seem off balance.
- Trouble hearing: They do not respond to quiet sounds.
What Causes an Ear Infection?
It might be easy to think that an infection is caused by a buildup of dirt inside the ear. However, dirt actually has little to do with these ailments.
As I mentioned above, the most common culprit of an ear infection is bacteria. Your child may be extra vulnerable during or after having a sore throat or infection in any other part of the respiratory system (5).
The bacteria or virus that caused the previous infection is on the hunt for a new place to live. The ear, unfortunately, provides the perfect setting for these microorganisms.
As the bacteria settles in, it triggers an inflammatory response from the body. Thus causing the symptoms of an ear infection.
Excessive Earwax or Infection?
This is a common question — and for good reason. As a mom who's often rushed her child to the doctor's office, simply to be told that it's merely a buildup, I know how tricky it can be.
It's often hard to tell whether or not your little one has a buildup of wax or is suffering from an ear infection. Most of the signs are the same. A child with a buildup of wax may rub or tug their ears as if it were an infection. Equally confusing, infants tug their ears when experiencing discomfort from teething.
But fever and trouble sleeping are generally the telltale signs of an ear infection in a baby or small child.
If it's nothing more than extra wax, you can usually see it just by looking into the ear. Take a flashlight and gently tug the earlobe back and away from the head to get a better look. Here you will likely see brownish or yellow drainage.
If the fluids are milky-like pus, clear, or traces of blood are present, it could be an infection. An additional note about this: ear wax will not drain from the ear continuously or profusely; infected fluid will and warrants a doctor visit.
how to clean baby ears
Source: https://momlovesbest.com/clean-babys-ears
Posted by: mashburnbremand.blogspot.com
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