A lot of earwax and dirt accumulates in the ears over time, especially in children. For fear of ear infections, many parents tend to clean their children's ears with cotton buds.

 

A cotton bud should never be inserted into the ear canal as there is a risk of damaging the sensitive eardrum. The earwax can also be pushed deeper into the ear canal and cause infections.

Earwax is a natural protection for the ear canal and rarely needs to be removed. If too much wax has accumulated, it should be removed by an ear specialist.

 

The auricle can be cleaned with a cotton bud moistened with baby oil or a soft flannel with warm water. Carefully run the swab from the inside to the outside of the pinna.