Why do babies like to touch their ears?

Babies usually like to touch their ears. This is a common phenomenon. Sometimes it is quite serious and they may scratch their ears. If you do not pay attention to trim their nails in time, they may even scratch their ears until they bleed. There are many reasons why children like to touch their ears, such as being curious about their ears, or the ears themselves have itchy symptoms, which will make the baby feel uncomfortable.

Why do children like to touch their ears?

1) Curious about ears

Babies are very happy when they pull their ears. As they grow, they will be curious about various parts of their bodies. For example, when he discovered that he had ears, he would pull his ears with his hands. Generally, babies often play with their ears when they are sleeping or awake, especially when they are having fun.

Mothers don't need to be too nervous about the phenomenon of babies pulling their ears when they are healthy. This is just a manifestation of the baby's curiosity about his own body organs. Mothers can take their babies out to play more often to divert their attention.

2) Excessive earwax

The skin of our external auditory canal has cerumen glands, which can secrete a yellow, sticky cerumen that protects the external auditory canal. When cerumen dries, it becomes thin flakes, which we commonly call "earwax", which can be used to prevent the invasion of foreign substances.

Generally speaking, the baby's ear canal has a self-cleaning function, but for some babies, if there is too much earwax, it will irritate the external auditory canal and cause the baby to scratch his ears. Mothers can use cotton swabs to clean properly. However, if your baby has a lot of ear secretions, or liquid secretions, or the secretions have a foul odor, you need to take your baby to see a doctor.

3) Teething

Babies may also flap and pull at their ears when they are teething. This is because the baby mistakes the pain of swollen gums for ear pain.

The eruption of baby's deciduous teeth will stimulate the gingival nerves and surrounding tissues, making them feel uncomfortable in the gums and drool a lot. When babies lie flat, this feeling can be transmitted from their gums to their ears, so they will rub their ears constantly.

If your baby pulls his ears because he feels uncomfortable when teething, you don't need to worry too much. You can give your baby some clean teething gel.

4) Foreign objects in the ears

Some babies are very active and may put small objects into their ears while playing; when playing outdoors, small insects may occasionally get into their ears.

Small foreign objects entering the ears will make the baby feel ear discomfort. If the foreign objects are larger, it will not only cause ear pain, but also cause ear canal infection and even affect hearing. If the baby has a foreign object in the ear, the mother should send the baby to the ENT department of the hospital in time for treatment. Do not dig it out by yourself to avoid the foreign object getting deeper and deeper.

5) Otitis media

Otitis media infections are most common in children between 6 months and 3 years old and often cause cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, irritability, ear pain, fever, yellow ear drainage, sleep problems and hearing impairment. And your baby may cry more during feedings because sucking and swallowing can cause pressure and pain in the ears.

When a baby gets otitis media, the mother should take the child to the hospital for treatment in time. Never use medicine on your own to avoid the baby not receiving thorough treatment and leaving hidden dangers.