Is what we felt after we went to an EENT Specialist this afternoon, Gabby has been long complaining about her left ear. I would sometimes caught her trying to shake her head or insert her finger to her left ear. There was also a foul smell and dark yellow stain on cotton buds whenever I clean her ears after taking a bath. We were so worried that she might be having an ear infection or her ear drums might be broken. But thank Gd that it was not the case when the doctor checked on her ear, Gabby was very cooperative and behave all through the session. She had an impacted cerumen which is a condition in which earwax has become tightly packed in the external ear canal to the point that the canal is blocked.. In short “Nanigas na tutuli” The doctor performed an irrigation, I am happy that she was really very nice and friendly to Gabby. Irrigation process lasted for about 20 minutes or less I think. Oh boy! was really surprised when this little black and thick thingy was removed from her left ear, I just couldn’t imagine how it get stucks on her ears. The doctor then careful explained to us how to properly clean her ears

• clean the ears only twice a week
• never try to insert the cotton buds deeply into the ears for it is one cause and aggravates an impacted cerumen, which I think is what I am doing while I clean her ears. For the cotton buds will push the earwax to go inside the ear canal.
• clean/ remove the earwax on the external part of the ear just right outside the ear canal. For the ears naturally has its way on cleaning the internal part.

After the treatment we headed to Robinsons Pioneer to do the grocery, bought Gabby and Nicco their sketch pad and a slippers for Gabby. We left Nicco at home since it will be hard if we’ll tag him along to the clinic.

DOCS @ WORK. This clinic is just a stone throw away from home this is located at the Maysilo Circle.

Playing while waiting to be called.

Getting bored already.

We didn’t bother to take photo anymore while the irrigation process is performed. But this is how it’s usually done.

Irrigation is the most common method of removing impacted cerumen. It involves washing out the ear canal with water from a commercial irrigator or a syringe with a catheter attached. Although some doctors use Water Piks to remove cerumen, most do not recommend them because the stream of water is too forceful and may damage the eardrum. The doctor may add a small amount of alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other antiseptic. The water must be close to body temperature; if it is too cold or too warm, the patient may feel dizzy or nauseated. After the ear has been irrigated, the doctor will apply antibiotic ear drops to protect the ear from infection.

Irrigation should not be used to remove cerumen if the patient’s eardrum is ruptured or missing; if the patient has a history of chronic otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear) or a myringotomy (cutting the eardrum to allow fluid to escape from the middle ear); or if the patient has hearing in only one ear.

If irrigation cannot be used or fails to remove the cerumen, the patient is referred to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. The specialist can remove the wax with a vacuum device or a curette, which is a small scoop-shaped surgical instrument.

Some doctors prescribe special ear drops, such as Cerumenex, to soften the wax. The most common side effect of Cerumenex is an allergic skin reaction. Over-the-counter wax removal products include Debrox or Murine Ear Drops. A 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide may also be used. These products are less likely to irritate the skin of the ear.

photo and process taken here