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Parents of Infants

ear wax???

22 years ago

My DD woke up this morning with a big chunk of orange/brown wax that fell out of her ear. I always clean them with saftey q-tips after baths (several times a week) I do nurse her lying down at night (which I heard was bad for ears but it saves me so much with sleep). She hasn't been any more fussy or anything so I don't think he ear is infected. Anyone had something like this happen before?

Comments (5)

JacksMom
22 years ago
How big of a chunk? I also have noticed small pieces of wax coming from my DS ears. I don't do the q-tip thing, but just wipe them out with a kleenex after his bath. I am going to the Pediatrician on Wed for his 4 month checkup so I will ask about the wax output then.

If your daughter isn't complaining, I'm sure she's fine. I'll let you know what the ped says about wax.

JacksMom
Karla_NE
22 years ago
Sometimes DD will have a piece of earwax come out of her ear that is like the size of the inside O of a Cheerio. (If that makes sense). It just meant that her ear was cleaning itself of some of the wax and dirt. I don't know how big you mean when you say chunk, but unless it is very big or it seems to be bothering her, I personally would not worry about it.
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I've had ear wax problems for a long time. As a teen and really into hotrods and the associated loud noises. Always around noisey races. Went to ear doc and he cleaned my ears with a vacuum and showed me the erasor plugs he pulled out. Wow, walked out of his office and the sounds of tires rolling in the streets were mighty loud. My car engine sounds, and gears, etc. were tremendious. Got used to it pretty fast though. Few yrs later : Another ear doc, same deal, vacuumed and flushed with alcohol. Then put cotton with antibiotic in my ears 'leave it for three days, dont get it wet. Get these ear drops, prescription 'see you next year ;) Said the wax traps moisture during swimming or perspiring and grows black mold, same stuff that eats the gunite off swimming pool walls. Get this prescription filled now - antibiotics. Druggist couldnt read the prescription.. asked what for - ears ; Filled the prescription and he even moaned about the cost. Suggested hydrogen peroxide, let it fizzle, no more than five minutes, three times per day for three days max,, the next time before going to doc. Use it probably every summer for ear wax the momemt I feel the odd stuff. Works for me!
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River
22 years ago
I have been told not to use any of the q-tips to clean their ear canals because what you are actually doing is pushing the wax down into the ear.

I know......I've cleaned my ears that way for years, but just to be on the safe side, I'm not doing it to my son.
I just wipe the inside of his ears with tissue and if I see a big hunk of wax down in there, I'll try and scoop it out with my finger nail.
bensmom
22 years ago
The general rule with stuff that comes out of ears is if it's not green, it's okay. If it's orange/brown in color your probably okay. If you have any concerns call the ped.
Nox225
Original Author
22 years ago
Thanks guys! It was about the same size of Karla NE's post. I think everything is fine. I go for her 4 month check on Monday! I always use the safety q-tips. They don't even fit in the ear canal. I just hate dirty ears. I am so worried she will have ear problems. I had 6 sets of tubes in my ears from age 2-10!!! I don't want her to follow in my foot steps.....

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