Routine Ear Maintenance

my daughter is prone to waxy ears...it is really gross I know and there is no explanation as to why they produce more wax. the ENT and pediatrician have both said that some people are just like that. The problem comes in when we take her into the office they have to move/remove wax in order to see what they need to see. Anyway, both have recommended using peroxide. I use an old bulb syringe, and suck some peroxide into it and run it under hot water to warm it a little. (Apparently if it is cold, it is uncomfortable) And then they said to put about 2 drops into each ear for 2 days before she has an appointment. Apparently it disolves the wax. That is the only time we do it though. I did try it out on my husband before doing it on her, and he said it fizzes but it does not hurt. Good luck, I would ask the pediatrician about just using peroxide. I would imagine it is much cheaper and just as effective.

My daughter (5yo) and I have narrow ear canals, so wax can become an issue for us. I have used "ear candles" on myself and they're incredibly gentle and relaxing (more info below). However, my daughter didn't want to do them because you light them, and she was afraid of that, so we use an OTC removal product-- as someone else said, they're kind of oily, so have a rag on hand. Basically, you have her lie on her side and put a few drops in. Lie there for 5-10 minutes, then switch and do the other side (I put a rag under the bottom ear when you switch sides). My doc also recommended that as we're rinsing her hair in the tub, just get a little water in her ears and for the most part, that has helped keep the wax from building up.

I've heard several people say that they've used the earwax candles on their children and the kids were fine with it-- I personally think they're even more gentle than the drops, since you don't feel anything with the candles (drops feel like water in your ear). You can get them at a health food store. Basically, it's about a 12" candle-shaped tube. You punch a hole in a pie pan, & put the candle through it (this catches any ashes). Lie on your side, put the tapered part in your ear and light the other end. Obviously you need someone else to light it & supervise. Once it burns for a few seconds, your helper blows it out. It continues to produce smoke, which goes down into the candle (not up in the air) and somehow draws the wax out of your ear and into the candle. It's actually pretty cool, and as I said, very relaxing. You don't feel any suction or anything.

If you want to use the candles with your daughter and think she might be afraid of the flame, I'd recommend trying to light it and blow it out before you put it in her ear (maybe out of her sight). I assume it will still work correctly, but I'm not sure. The flame may be what gets the suction going.

I'm surprised that your doc said earwax was dirty-- from what I understand, it's actually what helps keep your ears clean and protects them from infection. It's only when you get a build up that causes discomfort or hearing problems, otherwise it's healthy and normal. (So you still might be in the running for Mom-of-the-year!) Good luck! Let us know what works for you.

My 9 year old had a similar problem when she was younger. Her body produced excess ear wax. So periodically when I noticed the wax buildup, I would use an OTC ear wax removal. She seemed to do fine with it. I also used sweet oil to lessen the pain of ear infections. You can buy a small bottle at any store (grocery, Wal Mart etc) Heat up a glass of water in the microwave and then put the bottle of sweet oil in the glass and let it warm up. Then put some of the warm sweet oil on a cotton ball and put in each ear for about 5-10 mins. It seems to draw out the pressure in the ears???? AT least that's what my mom told me. It really did work for my daughter.
But you are on the right track. Don't use Qtips. I have had horrible experiences in the past with them.

I use debrox you can buy it over the counter at any pharmacy. It doesn't burn but is a little oily so I always use it at night and then sleep on a towel. My daughters don't mind using it either.

I heard Dr. Oz say on Oprah that all you need is a couple of drops of mineral oil in each ear to clean the wax out of them. He said Q tips are the worst invention because all they do is push the wax down further into the ear maybe causing a problem later. I've tried mineral oil on those days when my ears need to be popped and it has worked. I guess you can trust him he's on Oprah.

My daughter has had trouble with ear infections. All these women seems to have great suggestions. My doctor recommended pretty much all of the above. Mineral oil drops and hydrogen peroxide were at the top of my docs list. Only thing is my daughter didn't like the bubble of peroxide.

I have one daughter that seems to get ear infections and two that it doesn't seem to happen to. My doctor has suggested to me that if I am wanting to get their ears cleaned out, the best thing to do is use Hydrogene Peroxide. He said just a little and let it soak, so you have to lay on one side while it soaks will loosen the wax up and most of it should fall out or at least get loose enough that if you barely put a Qtip in the wax will come out. good luck.