Huge Wax Build-up

Updated on January 06, 2008
A. asks from Tampa, FL
13 answers

My 2 year has always has a huge wax build-up in his ears. When he has born, I had to take him back to the hospital 3 times for him to pass the hearing test. He has only had one ear infection in his 2 years, but the build-up is so bad, to get it out seems so painful for him. His pediatrician has done ear washes on him, and the wax just falls out in clumps. I have tried dropping the warm peroxide in his ear at bedtime, as my pediatrician requested, but this does not help. I dont use q-tips in his ears cause it just pushes the wax further back. What can I do to alleviate this??

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M.H.

answers from Orlando on

Hi Angella.I"ve had same problem or still have.DEBORAX is verry good.I have 12 month old who has a lot of wax and 4 year old who has none and had so many ear infections.

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K.B.

answers from Orlando on

My 3 year old has had the same problem for years. Our original Pediatrician suggested Debrox wax softening drops (OTC) a few times a week. We have been doing this from about 12 months on and have not had problems since. Check with your ped to see if this may work for your child.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.H.

answers from Washington DC on

I think you might just have to take him back periodically or ask him if you can do the washing. I'm glad you don't use q tips, you never put ANYTHING in their ears! If the stuff does need to be scrapped out, only the DR should do that. Maybe someone else will know of a miracle solution, but my mom had always used the peroxide on me growing up.

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K.C.

answers from Tampa on

You can try garlic oil. I've used this on my daughter every time she has had a ear infection. She has had many and I've never given her antibiotics. I'm sure it can help with wax. You warm it up in a glass of water and drop it into the ear. Or you can try ear candles, which is made to pull the wax out. This is kind of scary though with a 2 year old because you have to light the end of it. I know my 2 year old wouldn't be still for this. You can buy both of them in a health food store.

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M.H.

answers from Fort Walton Beach on

WOW A.,

There is a lot of good advice here! I agree with the ladies that have mentioned ear candles. The folks at the health stores can tell you how to use one. (If there is a lot of wax, you can repeat with a new candle immediately.) And my little ones always laid still for them because they knew they were lit...also the garlic oil..one drop diluted and warmed will soften the wax. Olive oil will work too. Avoid the baby oil because mineral oil is not safe these days and also avoid the pharmaceutical wax softeners.

If you ever fear an infection you can drop one warmed drop of a solution made from one drop of Melaleuca brand melaleuca oil (which is a non-caustic tea tree oil)in a teaspoon of olive oil and it will heal an infection.

Remember after you soften the wax or use the ear candle, let him lay on that ear so whatever has not come out can work it's way toward the exterior of the ear canal.

Good luck and God Bless!

M.

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J.A.

answers from Tallahassee on

An alternative to the OTC drops you can also use vitamin E get capsules. You puncture one end with a pin and just put a few drops of the oil in the ear. It softens the ear wax and the oil allows the wax to fall out on its on. My daughter is now 15 and when she was young we had a horrible at the doctors office when they would wash her ears out, it was very tramatic for her. Hope this helps and good luck.

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L.J.

answers from Jacksonville on

Hi A.! I just had to deal w/ this last night w/ my older 4{out of the 5}kids!! Warm peroxide doesn't help, it actually messes w/ some of the chemicals to where it won't help. Have him lay on the floor and pour a couple of drops{or enough to fill up his ear canal} of a mixture of water and peroxide, half and half. I used straight peroxide last night and when i told my cousin who had called later she said to dilute it because it could burst a very sensitive ear drum. It doesn't all disolve though, fair warning. So when he stands up, he may have some dripping down, so just have a hand towel ready for him if he wants it. I had my kids lay down for about 10min or so, or long enough for the 'bubbling' sound/feeling to stop. Then i let them wait about 15min and i did the other ear the same way. My toddler is the same way, i used to just let the dr. handle it but my husband is no longer military and we just moved so i am still waiting on getting her new insurance started and getting her card so i can take her to the dr. for the first time. Hope all fo this helps!!

L. Jones

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K.L.

answers from Sarasota on

as for preventing it not much can be done. My ped. told me that wax production is hereditary. You could try candling. Sold at most whole foods places. They could tell you more about it. The candle creates a vaccum in the ear that pulls the wax out. Of course this must be done by an adult as there is a flame involved. Good Luck

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D.T.

answers from Orlando on

Hi A.

There are two things I can think of you can utilize. One just came out on the market and is less invasive than what the doctor does, I think it might be called ear-igate. The other our family uses is natural. There called ear candles and you get them at the natural foods places usually 2 - 3 dollars a piece. They will draw out the wax naturally and very effectively. We know lot's of families that use them and it is very safe. If it's something you want to try, I'll explain how it works later.

Good luck, hope something works better than having to go to the Doctor. God bless.
D.

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K.W.

answers from Lakeland on

Hey A.:

I know you have seen a physician but have you seen an ENT? I know a great doctor who I highly recommend. The only reason I tell you this is that my son had wax build-up and had a lot a fluid in his ear that he was deaf for 6-7 months because I kept listening to my doctor. I hope this helps.

Dr. Peter Orobello
Pediatric Otolaryngology
Head and Neck Surgery Associates, P.A.
P.O. Box 76479
St. Petersburg, Florida 33734-6479
Toll Free: 1-800-456-4543 ext. 4305
In Florida: ###-###-####
Fax: ###-###-####
http://www.pediatric-ent.com/locations/index

K. Popchock

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D.T.

answers from Tampa on

When I took my 5 month old for her checkup my ped said she had alot of wax. He said to use 2 drops of baby oil every week to clear it up and help aleviate the buildup. I can't really see in her ear, but I think it works.....

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E.S.

answers from Tampa on

I don't know if this has been suggested, but you can buy Ear Wax Candles at the Health Food store. They work great,they kinda suck the wax right out of the ear. Very non invasive and effective. Hope this helps, just ask for them if you don't see them...

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K.T.

answers from Tampa on

The beeswax candles work great. Although I would do it with the baby asleep if you can thus they will not fight you on it. These candles draw all the wax out the ear and never put a flame in the childs ear. They are not like a regular candle. Go to your healthfood Store and they sell them. Ask them thier opion though before using on your 2 year old. They may be able to even suggest something else.

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