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To be safe, never put anything in the ear smaller than the tip of your little finger.
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EAR INFECTIONS
Treat inflammation or infection as advised by your health care provider. Often, local treatment with ear drops is recommended.
EAR WAX
A gentle, warm water flush using a syringe (available at the drug store) can be helpful to remove packed-down ear wax. Do not attempt to remove impacted ear wax in very young children. If black and impacted ear wax can be easily seen and retrieved in older children, do so carefully. NEVER use sharp objects to attempt to remove wax.
INJURY
Seek medical help for injury from a foreign object, noises or pressure changes, head injury, or a suspected clotting or bleeding problem.
SWIMMER'S EAR
For swimmer's ear (unless the eardrum is perforated):
- tilt the head sideways, with the water-filled ear up.
- pull the ear upward and backward.
- carefully squeeze into the ear a medicine-dropper full of rubbing alcohol, or a mix of half rubbing alcohol and half white vinegar. This mixture will dry out the ear, and kill any bacteria or fungus.
- wiggle the ear to move the solution all the way down.
- then, retilt the head so that the affected ear is now down, and let the fluids drain out.
Putting a little mineral oil or baby oil in each ear before swimming may help prevent the problem.
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