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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Peroxide Cause Allergy In Children?

I was told I could use peroxide to clean my child s ear but after it started burning and she screamed I put water in it to help it she is finally better, she is playing now will she be OK or should I take her to the ER? Her Ear before all this looked like it had been running orange stuff.
posted on Sat, 7 Mar 2015
Twitter Sat, 30 May 2015 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 1 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,

I don't know how old your daughter is so I'll give some general recommendations.

Hydrogen peroxide undiluted can be very irritating. I would not use hydrogen peroxide alone. Those ear wax preparations you can purchase that have hydrogen peroxide usually also have glycerin or something else - not alone.

So skip the hydrogen peroxide.

What to do now? If she is playing and comfortable again, she is likely ok. If she starts complaining of discomfort again, do take her in so a doc can have a look at what the condition of her ear canal is.

After a few days of no discomfort and the canals have had time to heal from any irritation that the hydrogen peroxide may have caused (or they may be just fine already), you can try using either Debrox (over the counter ear wax softener) or if she is a toddler or younger, something called Sweet Oil which is purified olive oil. You can get either at most pharmacies or drug stores in the US.

With the sweet oil, there isn't even need to wash it out. It is kind of messy, but it softens the wax and it comes out on its own and is safe even in the youngest kids.

With Debrox, I have (older) children and adults use it for a few days according to directions and then come to clinic where the nurse can irrigate the ears. This usually goes quite easily as the Debrox has softened the wax.

I hope this information has been helpful.

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Does Peroxide Cause Allergy In Children?

Hello and welcome to HCM, I don t know how old your daughter is so I ll give some general recommendations. Hydrogen peroxide undiluted can be very irritating. I would not use hydrogen peroxide alone. Those ear wax preparations you can purchase that have hydrogen peroxide usually also have glycerin or something else - not alone. So skip the hydrogen peroxide. What to do now? If she is playing and comfortable again, she is likely ok. If she starts complaining of discomfort again, do take her in so a doc can have a look at what the condition of her ear canal is. After a few days of no discomfort and the canals have had time to heal from any irritation that the hydrogen peroxide may have caused (or they may be just fine already), you can try using either Debrox (over the counter ear wax softener) or if she is a toddler or younger, something called Sweet Oil which is purified olive oil. You can get either at most pharmacies or drug stores in the US. With the sweet oil, there isn t even need to wash it out. It is kind of messy, but it softens the wax and it comes out on its own and is safe even in the youngest kids. With Debrox, I have (older) children and adults use it for a few days according to directions and then come to clinic where the nurse can irrigate the ears. This usually goes quite easily as the Debrox has softened the wax. I hope this information has been helpful.