As body parts go, your
ears
don't ask for much. They don't need to be brushed like your
teeth
or trimmed like your toenails. All your ears need is to be washed
regularly, so wash them with soap and water while you're
sudsing up the rest of your body in the bath or shower.
The Facts on Earwax
You might wonder about
earwax
and whether it needs to be cleaned out. Actually, even though
earwax seems yucky, it serves a purpose. Your ear canal makes
earwax to protect the ear. After it is produced, it slowly makes
its way to the opening of the ear. Then it either falls out or is
removed when you wash. If you want, you can clean the opening of
your ear gently with a washcloth.
There's an old saying that you shouldn't put anything
smaller than your elbow in your ear. Not all old sayings are true,
but this one is! You can hurt your ear by poking around in there.
It's not even a good idea to use a cotton swab. This can push
wax deeper in your ear, where it can get stuck. Irritating the ear
canal with a cotton swab can even lead to an ear canal
infection.
And definitely don't put anything sharp in your ear because
it can cause bleeding or serious damage. If you think you have dirt
or too much earwax in your ear, ask your mom or dad to help you
clean it out.
Taking Care of Pierced Ears
Pierced ears may look pretty, but you need to take good care of
them or things can get ugly! When you first get your ears pierced,
leave the earrings in until your ears are completely healed. If you
don't, your holes could close up.
You'll also want to prevent infections in your newly pierced
ears. Wash your hands before touching your pierced ears. Applying
rubbing alcohol also can help keep
germs
away. With an adult's help, soak a cotton ball in rubbing
alcohol and apply it to both sides of the hole (with the earring
still in your ear). Then twirl the earring several times to make
sure the alcohol gets in and around the earring post.
If you think one of your pierced ears may be
infected
, tell your mom or dad. An infected earlobe may be swollen, red,
warm, and painful, and it may ooze a fluid called pus. Don't
wait for it to get better by itself because the infection may
spread and make you sick.
Tips for Swimmers
Sometimes, swimming can lead to a case of
swimmer's ear
. That's when your outer ear gets infected, causing swelling
and pain. This happens when water gets stuck in your ear canal.
This can irritate the skin, making it easier for bacteria to invade
the skin and cause an infection. If you think you have
swimmer's ear, your mom or dad needs to call the doctor.
Special eardrops can help you get rid of it.
To prevent swimmer's ear, dry your ears after swimming and
shake out excess water, especially if you feel it stuck in there.
Again, with your parent's help, a few drops of rubbing alcohol
can dry out any moisture in there. Drying your ears will keep you -
and your ears - in the swim!
Ears, Hot and Cold
Now you know how to keep your ears happy underwater, but what
about when it's hot outside? When the sun is beating down, wear
a hat or remember to rub some
sunscreen
on your ears, so they don't get fried. And when winter rolls
around, keep them covered up with a hat or headband. Why? Because
when it's freezing outside, it's easy for ears to get
frostbitten
. Brrrr!
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: June 2006
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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