05/17/2021
Ever heard the term ear wax before? Well, it is a very common problem that affects children, and even some adults. You must have seen your child complaining of pain and blockage in the ear. In the majority of cases, this is a result of unhealthy ear wax accumulation. This wax is made in the outer canal of the ear and is commonly referred to as cerumen. You will be surprised to know that ear wax has a lot of important functions such as protecting the insides of the ear, especially the eardrum, from various infections by acting as a waterproof lining that prevents germs and dust from entering the ear. All the dust and dirt particles stick to this wax. This helps to keep our ears safe from any kind of injury or irritation.
As per the experts from the best paediatric treatment hospital in Jaipur, in normal cases, the wax comes out of the ear by itself during bathing. However, in some cases, it can accumulate over a period of time leading to severe ear blockage.
The rate at which you secrete wax varies from one person to another and some might even produce wax continuously. Children belonging to the latter group are likely to experience ear pain and discomfort owing to frequent ear blockage.
What can be done about it?
It is pertinent to understand that ear wax is a common problem and is not dangerous at all. Though the symptoms can cause discomfort, these do not pose any serious threat. The problem can be easily taken care of by getting your child's ears cleaned. Top ENT surgeon doctors in Jaipur suggest that parents should not try to do this on their own and take professional help. Sticking anything inside your child's ears comes with a lot of risks. You can even hurt them unintentionally or might push back the wax, which will increase the problem. Only a trained ENT specialist knows how to clear such wax blockages.
What you need to do as a parent?
Although you cannot help to clear the blockage, there are a lot of other things you can do to help your child.
- If your child is complaining of ear discomfort on a regular basis, try to wipe the outer area of the ear, but avoid poking the earbuds inside.
- Do not use your finger or any sharp object. You just have to wipe the wax.
- If your child is experiencing severe pain, discomfort or hearing problems, it is better to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
- In case you are parenting a toddler, who is not able to speak, watch out for signs. If your child is talking at his/her ears persistently, it may be an indication of discomfort or pain due to ear wax.
What clinical treatments are available?
In case your child is fussy, the wax removal procedure can be done under the influence of general anaesthesia in an operating room. The procedure is non-invasive and completely safe. If your child is cooperative, there is no need for using anaesthesia. The child may feel slight pressure or discomfort but the procedure is not painful.
Your doctor may also try to flush out the wax using warm water. This requires the use of wax softening drops that help to break down the wax and make it easier to remove.
Both procedures take about a few minutes and are offered at all the best hospitals in Rajasthan.