Is There a Good Way to Get Rid of Ear Wax?

Updated on July 27, 2007
D.C. asks from Phoenix, AZ
21 answers

My 10 month old son has had recurring issues with his ears. He has had multiple ear infections and is possibly going to have to get tubes. He has been healthy for the last few weeks, but the doctor is having a hard time checking his left ear because there is a little wax blocking her view. She tried digging it out (to no avail), and then had a nurse try to shoot it out with water (also didn't work). My son screamed and cried through both efforts. The doctor recommended trying some hydrogen peroxide and water. We've tried it twice so far, but I thought I'd check with other moms to see if there anyone has a brilliant suggestion. I really don't want to have to traumatize my child to check his ears. I would really appreciate any advice! The poor little guy is normally really happy and loves our doctor. I don't want him to be afraid of her or going to the doctor in general.

Thanks!

1 mom found this helpful

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So What Happened?

We tried the warm olive oil and it worked wonders! When we went back to the doctor - the blockage was completely gone! Thank you to everyone for your advice!

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A.A.

answers from Eugene on

My husband uses something from Walgreens called "Ear Drops" Carbamide Peroxide Ear Wax Removal Aid. Children under 12 should consult a physician before using.
hope this helps, A. Anderson

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A.S.

answers from Tucson on

I'd stay away from the ear coning/candling thing, especially with kids:

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/candlin...

I would say try the warm oil or hydrogen peroxide, it always worked when I was a kid. I think my mom actually mixed vinegar with hydrogen peroxide half and half. She did this so it wouldn't leave as much water behind (because the peroxide reaction leaves you with water)--and leaving water in the ear canal can cause bacterial swimmer's ear, no fun!

Try having him lie on his side watching a favorite video or something to get him distracted.

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M.F.

answers from Phoenix on

Our son always had ear infections until we found a good chiropractor. After a few adjustments this was never a problem again.We spent a couple of years with doctors ,tubes in the ears and etc. We thought chiropractors were a joke,of course our doctors told us that. After using chiropractors for all of us, our health continued to improve and the medications were of no use. You might also get your family to drink water that will bring your pH level to an alkaline, most of us are acid, which creates alot of problems. If your interested go to www.xoomaworldwide.com/healthmatters4u

1 mom found this helpful
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J.J.

answers from Phoenix on

warm olive oil drops in the ear then block it off with a pice of cotton overnight then do the proxide thng. the oil softens it up then the hydrogen peroxide clands it out

1 mom found this helpful

K.C.

answers from Phoenix on

I know on adults you can use ear cones, you can get them at health stores. Not sure if you can use in on babies. I would actually do it while he is sleeping if he is a good sleeper.

My grandpa did it and he has been wearing hearing aids for a long time. He said he was able to hear better and turn his hearing aid down because of the ear cone getting all the ear wax out. It really does work!

K.

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C.M.

answers from Phoenix on

I'm having a similar issue with my 16 month old. I took her to her pediatrician on Monday b/c she had a fever that wouldn't go away. Her doc tried checking her ears but said there was too much wax build up that she could't see anything. She then tried scraping the wax out and was able to get some of it out. I asked her what's the best way to clean out her ears and she told me to just buy some ear wax drops and use them twice a week and it will break down and dissolve the wax. I haven't had a chance to get to the store yet to get some but today I will. Good luck!

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R.S.

answers from Albuquerque on

My middle child had a problem with ear wax. The best way that we found was to get a 5cc syrnge. Mix in a bowel some warm water and hydrogen Pyroxide. Very gently fill up the syrnge and place it at an angle in your childs ear. Do this in each ear 3 times. It works wonders. My daughter didn't like at first because of the pressure, but after that it became a game to hear. Hope that helps. Robyn Mother of 3 and a RN

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A.M.

answers from Phoenix on

My son's doctor told me about debrox. You can buy it over the counter at any pharmacy/grocery store. It is simply drops that you put in your child's ears preferably every night until the wax softens up. Hope this helps you! It worked with my oldest son!

A. M

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H.W.

answers from Phoenix on

mineral oil works really well. Put a little in the ear and pop a cotton ball in.

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M.M.

answers from Tucson on

My son had the same problem with one ear until he was two and they put tubes in his ears, and at that time they removed the plug of wax. His first pediatrician made his ear bleed trying to dig it out! Needless to say, I found a new pediatrician and she tried (and her nurse too) with no luck. Since the tubes, no problems (he's three now)!
Good luck!

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C.M.

answers from Albuquerque on

Try using ear candles. It sounds weird but I have done it on myself and my senior citizen parents. It doesn't hurt at all and sounds like a hissing noise for the person experiencing it. I bought some yesterday at a natural herb/remedy place in Nob Hill and I can't remember the name of the shop. I am not sure if Whole Foods and Wild Oats have them but they would know where to get them otherwise. I usually buy them at health food stores in Texas, which is where my parents live.

good luck!
C.

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B.H.

answers from Albuquerque on

hi, D.!

i know it sounds strange, but there have been good studies to show that a few drops of colace (the stool softener) works well on ear wax. if you can get over the sound of it, just open up a bottle of the liquid colace or just use the soft tabs and put 3 drops into the ear with about 3 drops of water. then wait for about 20 minutes and while you give him a bath or shower, just kind of rinse it. it works every time!

hope this helps!
-B.

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T.N.

answers from Phoenix on

My advice is in regards to the ear infections. My SIL used to get repetitive ear infections as a child, and her mother took her to a chiropractor who works on children, and she stopped having ear infections. Now that she's a mother, my SIL has a daughter (my neice) who always gets ear infections. So she finally took her to same chiropractor that she went to as a child, and after a few adjustments my neice hasn't had an ear infection since and she used to get them all the time. Maybe try this same guy to help reduce your son's recurring ear infections. Email me if you're interested and I'll get the doctor's phone number for you. I talk to my SIL all the time, but it's too late at night for me to call her right now and get the info.

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K.F.

answers from Phoenix on

2 out of my 3 sons had the same problem. My eldest son ended up getting tubes in his ears, my second almost did and my 3rd one has been ear wax/infection free along with my second one since I have been doing the following... Almost every day, I look in their ears to see if I can see any wax. If I can, I lay them down, pull their ear open enough to scrape out the visable wax with a little plastic "stick" that the doctor gave me that they use to get wax out. After every bath, I take the "child safe" q-tips and wipe out their ears and try to lay them on each side of their ears for a few minutes to let the water drain out that may have gotten in there when I was rinsing them off... Ear infections are herediatary, so he may just be one of the unfortunate ones, but what I've been doing has helped, so maybe it can help you also :) Also, I was told with my eldest NOT to put any peroxide or anything "wet" in his ear because it HURTS him and if the infection is bad enough, can also make it worse....
Good Luck with the little guy!
K.

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A.A.

answers from Phoenix on

I don't have any advice I just wanted to tell you I miss you guys!

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J.D.

answers from Phoenix on

I know that there have been a few others who have said the same thing but I want to reinforce that what they say WORKS! Our family has always used ear cones in combination with warm oil. Just a few drops for a couple of days and then the coning on the third (or so) day will get all of that wax out! I know your son is young but you could make it really fun by making it a game to See what comes out of your ear! (gross i know)I hope everything works out!

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C.M.

answers from Tucson on

I saw Dr. Oz on Oprah one day. He said leave all Q-Tips out of the ears. If you need to get rid of wax put a couple of drops of mineral oil in the ear everyday and it will dissolve the wax.

If someone dug in my ears and sprayed water in them I would yell too. I am surprised they didn't rupture his ear drum.

Good Luck
C.

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E.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi! both of my sons have the same problem with lots of wax. our pediatrician recommended putting a couple of drops of baby oil in the ears 2-3 times a week because it softens the wax and makes it easier to get out. it has worked great for us. so I hope that it helps!

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T.B.

answers from Phoenix on

D. - my daughter who is now 20 mo old has tubes in her ears and she had the same problem. My aunt told me to help with the build-up of wax, I could warm up oil- like olive oil or something similar and drop it into the ear. She said the oil will warm and loosen the built-up wax and help it to dislodge. Its not harmful to the ear, and will keep the wax from building up. You just need to be careful as to how warm you get the wax. I did this once to my daughter and the wax did come out of her ear. I talked to her pediatrician about it, and she said that was fine to do. I hope this helps.

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C.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I have heard of good results in adults with coning. It would require some research on your part to see if this is something for infants. Good luck.

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C.

answers from Phoenix on

I hope this idea soothes, even helps the situation. Baby ears are tricky...hard to see in or work in. I do NOT support the ear irrigation thing, as this backfired on us. If you try this entire regimen after a stroller walk in the heat, nature will be working with you. Make sure he is in the shade for the walk, and you too if possible. Parks with trees are good. [Most washcloths, even infant ones are too thick for this. Wouldn't hurt to purchase some "flour-sack cloth" at Michael's or Joann's...those really thin linen towels, and cut one into baby washcloth size.] Then at bath time, and intervals in between [story time, lullaby time, whenever peaceful cuddles happen], soak the cloth in plain water, wring it to moist w/ no drips, microwave it for 40 seconds or whatever it takes to heat it...TEST it on yourself so it is pleasantly a little- less-than-barbershop-warm, and hold it gently against the troubled ear while humming and rocking him. Do this for a few minutes if possible. If you keep some spare microwaved cloths beside you in a tortilla warmer or other insulated dish, you can change them out without disrupting the tender moments. Always test for comfort first and DO NOT STICK ANYTHING IN THE EAR. All the while, in a small pan on low on the stove, heat an eighth of a cup of olive oil...again testing first that it is pleasantly warm, not hot...and using an eye/ear dropper, gently tilt his head and place one drop of oil in the bad ear. Hopefully, he'll be in lullaby mode and won't fight this, but if not, just go back to the warm compress mode. Then using baby massage, which is a little gentler than regular, do little circular motions all around the ear and on the ear itself...cooing the whole time.
If at any time it gets intense or uncomfortable STOP. Part of the process is his relaxation. I hate to mention it, but our pediatrician had inadvertently pushed some wax into our girl's ear [boo] and this whole process really helped to clear things up. If you can keep the relaxation going, then let them sleep on you with the bad ear on your shoulder. Keep in mind to check sleep habits and if possible set him on his side. We were also lucky in that Sara sleeps like a log, so I could rotate her head side to side every once in awhile without waking her. That way nothing "built up" as badly. Good luck.

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