Keeping ears clean

Some children seem to generate lots of ear wax. What should you do about it?

Nothing, in most cases. Earwax is not a sign of poor hygiene. Everyone has it, and its function is to protect the ear canal and the thin eardrum from dirt and germs.

If it accumulates and forms a hard waxy plug, it can cause temporary hearing loss. Infection and fluid can have the same symptom, so consult your doctor – she’s also the best person to remove excess ear wax if there’s a build up.

Don’t use ear-buds to clean inside child’s ears or to remove wax. This can pack the wax in, and may even damage the eardrum.

Teach your child never to put anything in his ear, but just to wipe the outside of the ear with a warm facecloth.