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How to clean baby's ears?

How to clean baby's ears?

Learn how to safely remove ear wax from your infant

Baby ears are very small, requiring extra gentleness and care. It's best to avoid putting anything in your baby's ears but if your baby is a wax factory, consider using an otoscope to clean out their tiny canals. If possible, only use the scope to clean out the outside or just barely inside the ear or take them to a doctor for an assessment and cleaning. 

While you can clean your baby's ear yourself, please use extreme caution. Follow the steps below to ensure a baby's ear is clean and left undamaged. 

Why you should clean your baby's ears

It is usually unnecessary to remove your baby's earwax. It plays a crucial function in keeping their ears safe. It stops dirt and dust from entering your baby's ear and blocks bacteria that could cause infection from reaching the eardrum.

Ear wax naturally finds its way to the outer ear. When you are cleaning their ears, gently wipe it away. Never poke your baby's ears with a cotton swab, finger, or anything else but an otoscope which is made to clean out an ear safely. You should also avoid employing ear wax removal solutions. The ear canal may be damaged, and your baby's hearing may be affected as a result.

It is critical to keep your child's ears clean. Because it protects, lubricates, and has antibacterial properties, earwax is beneficial to your baby. However, removing it may result in irreversible damage. So never remove all of the wax, just the excess that is not touching the ear wall. 

Is earwax buildup dangerous for babies?

While it may appear disgusting, earwax (also known as cerumen) is essential for keeping the ear clean and healthy. It is secreted by the ceruminous glands in the ears to trap dirt, dust, and other particles that could injure the eardrum if they travel inside the ear. Wax collects in the inner ear, dries out, and goes to the outer ear, where it is washed away. It captures foreign material in the procedure and carries it along for the voyage. 

However, if earwax builds up quicker than the body can discharge it, earwax buildup can become a concern. First, it can interfere with a baby's hearing by muffling sounds. Second, it could be a sign of fluid trapped in the middle ear which could lead to hearing loss, earache, or an ear infection. Finally, the excess earwax can annoy babies and cause them to pull on their ears and become fussy.

How to clean ear wax out of a baby's ear

Use an otoscope to view inside the ear and determine if there is a concerning amount of ear wax. If there is, then contact your doctor for treatment. As babies' ears are so tiny, do not attempt to use an otoscope to clean the ear but only to inspect to prevent irreversible damage. Then, a doctor can determine if the wax needs to be removed. 

While bathing your baby, clean the outer ear and the area around it. You will only need a washcloth or a cotton ball, as well as some warm water. Do not put anything into a baby's ear (even an otoscope) as it can lodge earwax further in the ear. The eardrum is tissue-thin in a baby, and anything in the ear can worsen the issue. 

When to see a doctor

It can be difficult to determine what is wrong with a baby's ear. Often, a baby with earwax accumulation may rub or tug at his ears or dig his fingers into his ears, just like he would if he had an ear infection. But on the other hand, Earwax buildup does not produce the fever and sleep problems that come with ear infections. 

You might be able to see a lot of wax just by glancing into your baby's ears if there's a lot of it. There may also be some drainage that is yellow or brownish. Using an at-home otoscope can help to visualize the ear better. If you are concerned, schedule an appointment with your baby's doctor so she can examine the situation more closely. 

Shop Teslong Digital Otoscopes!

Teslong offers a wide range of digital otoscopes, including options for USB, Wi-Fi, Apple, and Android. We even offer options with a dedicated screen. Our otoscopes include tips to make viewing inside the ear easier and include light for a full view. 

Ear picks can help clean earwax out of ears, but please remember that babies' internal ears are paper-thin and can be damaged easily. Please only use an otoscope to view a baby's ear and not to clean wax out of their ears. Find the otoscope that works best for your needs and the screen you plan to use, and start checking for excessive ear wax at home.

 

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