In this article, we discuss how to clean an autistic child’s ears, what is ear wax, how much ear wax is normal for an autistic child, etc.
As a parent, one of the most important responsibilities you will have towards your autistic child will be cleaning his ears.
This may come as a shock to some parents, but you will notice small things (e.g., cleaning his ears, trimming his nails) that could potentially lead to a health issue.
When it comes to autistic children’s ear cleaning, safety is the number one priority. Earwax will build up in your autistic child’s ears and it’s normal.
There are many ways to clean your autistic child’s ears, but the most important thing is to find a way that works for you and your autistic child.
What Is Earwax?
According to a clinical practice guideline, earwax is also called cerumen. Earwax is a sticky, gooey substance that is produced inside your ear.
It is made up of dead skin cells and is released by the glands that are located in the inner lining of your ear.
Earwax may seem annoying to your autistic child, but it’s actually a normal part of your autistic child’s body.
Earwax secretion is the body’s natural way of keeping water or infection inside your autistic child’s ears.
How much ear wax is normal for an autistic child?
The amount of earwax that is secreted or produced from an autistic child’s ears is not always the same.
Some autistic children have more or less earwax than others. Excess ear wax is not common in autistic children.
Earwax is considered healthy when the pediatrician can see the autistic child’s eardrums clearly through the earwax.
If hardened earwax completely blocks the ear canal or there is yellowish flaky earwax causing discomfort to the autistic child, then there is a problem.
How To Clean Autistic Child’s Ears
There are so many different ways to clean an autistic child’s ear. We’ve listed the top tips below – find the one that works best for you!
1. Using a Washcloth
Earwax removal is best done with a soft washcloth that has been soaked in warm water.
Dip the washcloth in the warm water and gently squeeze it out to remove any excess water.
Use the washcloth to wipe around the outside of the autistic child’s ear to gently remove any excess earwax that has spilled out.
Most of the earwax will fall out naturally. The rest can be wiped off with the washcloth. Do not press the washcloth into the ear canal.
Take your baby to the pediatrician and let them look at your autistic child’s ears. The pediatrician may use a small tool to remove the wax inside your autistic child’s ear
2. Using Baby Ear Drops
If there is a lot of build-ups, ear drops may be necessary. Before using ear drops, make sure you are using the ones recommended by your autistic child’s doctor.
Try to calm your autistic child down and keep him occupied with some kind of activity. Otherwise, pick a time of day when your autistic child is usually quiet and sleeping.
Hold the ear drops bottle in your hands to warm it up a bit. Put your child on your lap and place the blocked ear in front of you. Use your eyedropper to fill the bottle with the solution.
Quick Summary: How To Clean An Autistic Child’s Ears
- Place the dropper near the autistic child’s ear.
- Drop the solution in small increments until the autistic child’s ear canal is completely filled.
- Let the solution settle inside the ear for a few minutes.
- Your autistic child may feel a strange sensation, so keep him calm.
- The ear drops soften the wax in your autistic child’s ear canal.
- The wax then flows out of your autistic child’s ear and into the water.
- Dip a washcloth in the warm water.
- Squeeze out the excess water.
- Clean up the excess drops and the oozing wax.
- Do not try to put washcloths inside the autistic child’s ears.
- Repeat this treatment for at least 3 to 5 days as advised by your doctor.
Safety Tips to Follow When Cleaning Your Autistic Child’s Ears
You can use the above methods to clean your autistic child’s ears. However, it is important to remember what to do and what to avoid when cleaning an autistic child’s ears.
One of the cardinal rules of cleaning an autistic child’s ears is to avoid using cotton buds.
Cotton swabs may seem convenient, but they are known to push earwax deeper into the ear canal, which worsens the problem and leads to earwax accumulation, causing canal blockage.
The same goes for using fingers. Anything that gets stuck inside the ear canal will either lead to wax accumulation or can damage the eardrum and cause it to rupture.
If your autistic child’s earwax problem gets worse, it is best to use an autistic child’s earwax drops after consultation with your autistic child’s pediatrician.
Precautions to Take While Cleaning Your Autistic Child’s Ears
Cleaning an autistic child’s ears sounds easy, but it’s not. Even the tiniest mistake can send your autistic child into excruciating pain.
Here are some tips on how to clean an autistic child’s ears.
Dos
- Keep your autistic child’s calm and engaged
- Use a clean washcloth
- Talk to your doctor if the wax buildup is too much.
Don’ts
- Avoid inserting any pointed objects inside your autistic child’s ears, such as cotton swabs, earbuds, etc.
- Avoid using cold water to remove excess earwax
- Avoid spraying water or liquid inside your autistic child’s ear with force
- Avoid cleaning your autistic child’s ears too frequently or too harshly
When To Visit An Otolaryngologist
If you notice excessive earwax build-up in your autistic child’s ears and you can’t remove it with the remedies listed above, take your child to see your pediatrician as soon as possible.
If you notice symptoms of infection, such as milky fluid draining out of your autistic child’s ears, ear pain or fever, or hearing loss after removing wax, consult your autistic child’s doctor right away.
An autistic child’s earwax isn’t harmful unless it accumulates in excessive amounts or becomes infected.
Taking safe and gentle steps to clean the autistic child’s ears will be beneficial.
If they don’t work and you see anything unusual with your autistic child’s health, contact your autistic child’s pediatrician right away.
A Word From GetMe Treated
The above tips are how to clean an autistic child’s ears. But you need to understand that, cleaning your autistic child’s ears isn’t something you do all the time.
As time goes on, you’ll need to clean your autistic child’s ears more often, and you’ll have to keep up with it until they learn how to do it on their own.
FAQs Related To How To Clean An Autistic Child’s Ears
How do you flush an autistic child’s ears?
If you want to clean your autistic child’s ears with hydrogen peroxide, you’ll need to mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide with distilled water.
Put a few drops into your autistic child’s ear with the medicine dropper. This will help thin out their earwax, making it easier for it to drain out naturally.
Why does autistic child cover their ears?
For these people, covering their ears can be a way to shut out some of the noise that’s causing them anxiety.
What dissolves ear wax fast?
Hydrogen peroxide
What home remedy can I use for a blocked ear?
Olive, baby, or mineral oil can be used to clear blocked ears. Ensure the oil is at room temperature.
Add 2 to 3 drops to the affected ear and tilt the head for 15-20 seconds. Wash the ear and do this 2-3 times to get rid of the collected wax.
How do I drain my toddler’s ear naturally?
Tips for safe fluid drainage at home include:
How can I clean my toddler’s ears naturally?
Earwax drops are available over the counter, or you can make your own using a 50/50 blend of mineral oil, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or distilled water.
Can ear wax cause speech delay?
Yes. Signs of speech delay can range from significant ear wax build-up to chronic ear infections or fluid behind your eardrums.
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