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White Wax Build-up Inside Ear Canal, No Hearing Difficulty. Prescribed Mineral Oil. Treatment?
My 7 year old has a white, waxy, cylindrical thing/build-up inside his ear canal . The pediatrician tried to flush it but it wouldn t drain out. She told us to apply 3 drops of mineral oil at bedtime to his ear canal nightly and come see her in 2 weeks. My son denies any discomfort or hearing problems. What could this be? Should we see a specialist instead?
Wed, 7 Nov 2012
Thank you for the question. Your son has got Cerumen (Wax) accumulation in his external ear canal which is asymptomatic. Mineral oil acts as a ceruminolytic agent which will help to clear of cerumen by making it soft. Asymptomatic cerumen accumulation usually doesn't need any treatment. If your child have any problem like ear pain or itchiness, ear fullness, hearing loss etc, then you may consult with a specialist.
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