Ear Canal - Itchy
Definition
- A child who itches the ear canal
- No crying or report of ear pain
Call or Return If
- Itching of ear lasts more than 1 week
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
About This Topic
Causes
- Main cause (older children): using cotton-tipped swabs. This causes earwax buildup.
- Can also be leaving soap or shampoo in the ear canal
- Can also be caused by a piece of earwax in the ear canal.
- Simple ear itching without other symptoms such as fever or crying is harmless. It is not a sign of an ear infection.
After Care Advice
Overview:
- Itchy ear canals are common
- Here is some care advice that should help.
White Vinegar Eardrops:
- For an itchy ear canal, use half-strength white vinegar. Make this by mixing the vinegar with equal parts warm water.
- Place 2 drops in each ear canal once daily.
- Do this for three days.
- Reason: Restores the normal acid pH.
- Caution: Do not use eardrops if your child has ear drainage or ear tubes. Also, do not use if your child has a hole in eardrum.
Keep Soap Out of the Ears:
- Keep soap and shampoo out of the ear canal.
- Reason: Makes the ears itchy.
Do Not Use Cotton Swabs:
- Cotton swabs can push earwax back and cause a plug.
- In older children, cotton swabs may remove all the earwax. This leads to itching and irritation.
- Earwax has a purpose. It protects the lining of the ear canal.
- Earwax also comes out on its own.
- Q-tips should never be used before the teen years. Reason: They are wider than the ear canal.
What to Expect:
- With this treatment, most itching is gone in 2 or 3 days.
Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP Copyright
Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.
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