Earwax blockage or cerumen impaction is a blockage of the external ear canal caused by earwax. Earwax is produced by glands in the canal that leads to the outside of the ear. Earwax protects the ear by trapping dust, foreign particles, and some microorganisms, preventing them from entering the ear. The amount of earwax produced varies from person to person. Overproduction of earwax and attempting to clean the ear with a cotton swab (which leads to pushing the wax further into the ear canal) are the most common causes of blockage. Risk increases with exposure to dust or debris, a family history of overproduction of earwax, and water in the ear causing the wax to swell.

Symptoms may include:

• Decreased hearing
• Ear pain
• Plugged or full feeling in the ear
• Ringing in the ear

What your doctor can do:

• Diagnose the problem by asking about symptoms and examining the ears.
• Treat the condition either by physical removal or irrigation. This will depend on whether the wax is soft and easily removed or is hard and impacted

What you can do:

• Irrigate the ear at home. There are several methods that can be used at home. If the earwax is soft, it may be removed by gently irrigating with a soft rubber bulb syringe and warm tap water. If this is not effective, a few drops of either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide (Debrox) instilled twice a day at home may loosen it.
• Wax-softening ear drops can be used on the advice of your Doctor. (This is best done at your doctor's office the first time.) If you do it at home: lay your child down on one side, pull the top of the ear gently up and toward the back of the head, and place the ear drops in the ear (use the amount given in the package directions). For children less than 3 years of age, pull the ear down and back instead of up.
• Leave the drops in place for 20 minutes, and keep your child laying down. Place a cotton ball in the ear; sit your child up and tilt their head toward that side; and irrigate as above with plain warm water or equal parts warm water and hydrogen peroxide. Do  one ear and then the other side. Repeat until the ear clears. Call your doctor if the ear does not clear after a few attempts.
• A few drops of rubbing alcohol may help dry the ear after irrigation.
• For minor pain, use non-prescription medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).
• Prevent impaction by avoiding high dust and debris areas and wearing earplugs if in these environments; monthly ear cleaning; and putting 1-2 drops of an ear wax softener (e.g., Debrox, Cerumenex) in each ear to soften wax.
• Avoid using any small item, including cotton swabs, in the ear canal (either routinely or while trying to remove an impaction) since this can pack the earwax or even damage the eardrum.

What you can expect:

• Most blockages can be removed with irrigation. It may take several attempts
• Possible complications include ear infection, eardrum damage, or hearing loss.

Contact your doctor if you have attempted earwax removal a few times without clearing the earwax, if you suspect earwax blockage in a child under 4 years of age, if fever and ear pain are present with earwax blockage, if you have any ear wax problems that you cannot manage for your child, of if you suspect the eardrum has ruptured (drainage is present).

Contact Lake Area Pediatrics at
(936) 582-5620