School run ear wax

[Mrmialoat]

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).

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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!

How do you clean their ears? Because as a PP said using cotton buds is definitely not advised and you shouldn't put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow 😆

I'm surprised these kids can hear sit that much wax, mine have been fully blocked with was a couple of times and it was painful but also I struggled.to hear

We use cotton buds and never had an issue. I ‘soak’ the ears in a bit of Vaseline very lightly and after a hot bath it all comes right off in a few swipes. And it’s thoroughly cleaned weekly, so really not much build up each week

As a teacher I see this quite a lot however I work in a school where many small children have rotten teeth, smell of wee, poo, weed, fags, general unwashedness, are under or over fed and have had little sleep. So on its own ear wax wouldn’t concern me too much unless the child couldn’t hear.

I think it may well be neglect.
I remember when I was at primary school there were a family of scruffy, smelly children. The boy in my class had lots of visible ear-wax. I remember noticing it even though I was only about 6 at the time. I didn't understand and didn't want to sit next to him, nor did other children.
I asked my mum about the family a few years ago. She told me that the dad had died and everyone knew that the mum was an alcoholic and really struggling. School safeguarding wasn't really a thing then. It still makes me sad to think about (that I was one of the cruel kids, who didn't want to sit next to him - I just didn't know). I wonder what happened to them.

DD2 has bouts of this not a constant issue - she also dislikes her ears and neck being touched and my other kids and DH found it weird when I wanted to check so she started hating it - so it has depended on me remember to subtly check.

It's not blocked ears it's just lots of earwax and no HCP ever been interested other than to say don't use ear buds.

You could do something. Next time you’re at the school pop in the office and ask to speak confidentially about a concern. It may be it’s all in hand, but if nothing else you’re highlighting that other kids are being mean.

I have a child with super waxy ears. I have managed to control it after buying an ear cleaning device that shoots water into the ear, but prior to that I needed to clean them almost every day. Some children are more prone than others, but I do think it’s off putting to others and so always kept on top of it, wiping around the ear so nothing can be seen.

This exactly. You’d think if the parent couldn’t care less maybe a grandparent would notice at least.

My kids have very waxy ears especially the younger one but it’s never been visible to others!! Honestly what do we accept as parenting standards now?
I check their ears regularly (after teeth brushing for example) and if I see a build up I clean it out or use the oil ear drops and it comes out after a day or two.

Poor kids, they will get bullied at school.

What’s the device called?

It does indicate a neglectful approach. Obviously we all know cotton buds are frowned upon, but to leave visible wax around the ear opening implies the children are not being thoroughly cleaned.

I bought nail brushes for school as I can’t abide filthy finger nails. What’s up with parents.

Some dps happily leave hair infested with nits and don't give a shit...
I've seen myself. Bloody grim.
FYI nit lotion is free at Asda if they can see actual nits..
Ime.