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Original poster

School run ear wax

112 replies

Mrmialoat · 14/02/2026 12:27

Everyday at pick up I see two siblings who have visible ear wax, there is so much of it that it’s easily visible on the outside of the ear and around it. I’ve heard a few kids commenting that it’s gross. Aibu to think the parents should address this and that it’s not normal or nice for their kids. (Primary school aged kids).

OP posts:
Original poster
Mrmialoat · 14/02/2026 15:17

Isthateveryonethen · 14/02/2026 15:14

In our house we do a weekly ‘deep’ self care routine - ears thoroughly cleaned, nails cut, hair properly washed and conditioned, the works. My kids moaned but now that they see all this on other kids they actually thank me for making this a routine! Another gross thing is dirty long fingernails on kids.

Yea amazing how many parents think it’s ok to wash yourself every few days. It’s disgusting, you should be washing daily at least!

OP posts:
Isthateveryonethen · 14/02/2026 15:14

In our house we do a weekly ‘deep’ self care routine - ears thoroughly cleaned, nails cut, hair properly washed and conditioned, the works. My kids moaned but now that they see all this on other kids they actually thank me for making this a routine! Another gross thing is dirty long fingernails on kids.

BlonderThanYou · 14/02/2026 15:14

Just mention it to the parents ‘I wondered if the ear wax was irritating them?’

Original poster
Mrmialoat · 14/02/2026 15:07

Isthateveryonethen · 14/02/2026 14:50

My 9yo JUST told me this week about a boy who has this. Said it’s so disgusting and the others don’t want to sit next to him.
if it’s so visible to other 9yo, I don’t know why the parent doesn’t see it. I’m with you, every morning I make sure my kids are clean before sending them off

How funny! Maybe it’s the same school!
yea it does seem like a basic thing to check each morning, unless you never look at your child.

OP posts:
Isthateveryonethen · 14/02/2026 14:50

My 9yo JUST told me this week about a boy who has this. Said it’s so disgusting and the others don’t want to sit next to him.
if it’s so visible to other 9yo, I don’t know why the parent doesn’t see it. I’m with you, every morning I make sure my kids are clean before sending them off

Original poster
Mrmialoat · 14/02/2026 14:47

if that was my child I’d keep tabs on it and clean each time as well as seek medical advice.

OP posts:
FuzzyWolf · 14/02/2026 13:19

ExperiencedTeacher · 14/02/2026 12:29

I’d suspect it has been noted and mentioned to parents by the school. It would ring some safeguarding alarms around neglect.

Neglect? Really?! I’ve never gone out of my way to clean wax out of my children’s ears and there isn’t any that can be seen. It’s abnormal for excessive ear wax and ears aren’t designed to be cleaned.

For such obvious wax, it’s far more likely to be something like eczema, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis rather than neglect.

Kingdomofsleep · 14/02/2026 13:13

My son gets waxy ears, my daughter never does. I'm pretty sure it's genetic, it's a thing on 23andme.

I try to remember to wipe it off his ears but if we're in a hurry in the morning then it's a very low priority compared to breakfast, getting dressed, teeth brushing.

It doesn't actually do any harm. Ears use wax for self cleaning, like tears for eyes.

Starlin · 14/02/2026 13:11

My son has massive amounts of earwax but for him it's just a sign he's getting a cold/ill as his ears always seem to get the brunt of it. We've been to the doctor/cleaned as advised but it makes no difference. He's just a super ear-waxy kid.

TheCurious0range · 14/02/2026 12:32

Maybe they have health conditions that cause it. Other than a usual wipe with a flannel when washing his face in the shower I've never cleaned DS' ears, cotton buds are dangerous and cause perforated eardrums. DS has no visible wax, so if these children have so much of it there's clearly an underlying cause.

Original poster
Mrmialoat · 14/02/2026 12:32

ExperiencedTeacher · 14/02/2026 12:29

I’d suspect it has been noted and mentioned to parents by the school. It would ring some safeguarding alarms around neglect.

Benefit of the doubt, the parent hasn’t noticed possibly otherwise it’s very strange!

OP posts:
ExperiencedTeacher · 14/02/2026 12:29

I’d suspect it has been noted and mentioned to parents by the school. It would ring some safeguarding alarms around neglect.