Question
How to clean earwax from a baby’s ear properly?
Answer
Generally, no treatment is needed, and you can use a cotton swab to gently clean the entrance of the outer ear. If there is a lot of earwax, you can use 3% sodium bicarbonate solution (also known as baking soda) by dropping one drop into the ear every 2 to 3 hours, three to four times a day. After 1 to 2 days, the earwax will soften and can then be gently removed with a small pair of forceps. Be sure to keep the baby’s head still during this process and avoid any movement. Normally, once a week, use a cotton swab coated with gentamicin ointment to roll around the outer ear canal. This helps kill bacteria and keeps the skin moist, allowing earwax to fall off naturally without forming large chunks. If earwax hardens and blocks the outer ear canal, it is advisable to go to the hospital and have an otolaryngologist handle it, rather than forcibly removing the earwax at home.