What is the tragus and what does it do?
Quick Answer
The tragus is the small, cartilaginous flap located on the inner side of your outer ear, right in front of the ear canal.
It doesn't have a specific function, but it's a helpful landmark.
If your child has an outer ear infection, gently pressing on the tragus might cause discomfort, which can be a sign to seek medical advice.
It's a simple way to check for potential problems.
Recommended Practices
Gentle Examination During Bath Time
While bathing your child, gently observe their ears.
Look for any redness, swelling, or discharge.
Lightly touch the tragus to see if there's any tenderness.
Do this once a week, or whenever you suspect an ear issue.
Teach Older Children Self-Checking
Around age 5 or 6, teach your child to gently press on their own tragus if they feel ear pain.
Explain that if it hurts, they should tell you right away.
This promotes self-awareness and early detection.
Keep Ears Dry After Swimming
After swimming or bathing, gently dry your child's ears with a soft towel.
You can also tilt their head to each side to help drain any water.
In humid climates, this is especially important to prevent infections.
Consider using swimmer's ear drops if your child is prone to ear infections.
Monitor for Changes in Hearing
Pay attention to whether your child is responding to sounds normally.
If they seem to be asking you to repeat yourself often, or if they turn the TV volume up very high, it could indicate an ear problem.
Get their hearing checked by a doctor.
Proper Ear Cleaning (If Necessary)
Generally, the ears are self-cleaning.
Avoid using cotton swabs to clean inside the ear canal, as this can push wax further in and cause blockages or even damage the eardrum.
If you notice excessive wax buildup, consult a doctor for safe removal.
Document Any Concerns
Keep a record of any ear-related symptoms your child experiences, such as pain, discharge, or hearing difficulties.
Note when the symptoms started and any potential triggers (e.g., swimming, cold).
This information will be helpful for the doctor during the examination.
What to Avoid
Inserting Objects into the Ear Canal
Avoid inserting cotton swabs, fingers, or any other objects into your child's ear canal.
This can damage the delicate skin and eardrum, leading to infections or hearing loss.
The ear is designed to clean itself.
Ignoring Ear Pain
Don't ignore complaints of ear pain, especially if accompanied by fever, discharge, or hearing loss.
These could be signs of an ear infection that needs prompt medical attention.
Delaying treatment can lead to complications.
Using Ear Candles
Ear candling is a dangerous and ineffective practice. It involves inserting a lit candle into the ear canal, supposedly to draw out wax. This can cause burns, ear damage, and has no proven benefits.
Over-the-Counter Ear Drops Without Diagnosis
Avoid using over-the-counter ear drops without first consulting a doctor.
Some ear drops can be harmful if the eardrum is perforated.
A doctor can properly diagnose the problem and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Forcing a Child to Pop Their Ears
While traveling, especially during flights, some parents try to force their child to pop their ears by holding their nose and blowing.
This can be painful and potentially harmful.
Instead, encourage them to chew gum, drink water, or breastfeed/bottle-feed during takeoff and landing.
Sharing Earphones or Earbuds
Avoid sharing earphones or earbuds, as this can spread bacteria and increase the risk of ear infections.
Each family member should have their own set of earphones and clean them regularly with alcohol wipes.
Common Scenarios and Solutions
Your child complains of ear pain after swimming.
First, gently dry their ears with a soft towel.
Then, have them tilt their head to each side to help drain any water.
If the pain persists or worsens, gently press on the tragus.
If it's tender, consult a doctor.
You notice redness and swelling around your child's ear.
Avoid touching or manipulating the area. Keep the area clean and dry. Consult a doctor as soon as possible, as this could be a sign of an infection.
Your child has excessive earwax buildup.
Do not attempt to remove the earwax yourself with cotton swabs or other objects. Consult a doctor for safe earwax removal. They may use special instruments or recommend ear drops to soften the wax.
Your child is flying and complains of ear pressure.
Encourage them to chew gum, drink water, or breastfeed/bottle-feed during takeoff and landing. These actions help to equalize the pressure in their ears. If the pressure persists, consult a doctor.
Similar Questions Parents Ask
Is it normal for my baby's ears to stick out?
Yes, it's perfectly normal for babies' ears to stick out a bit. The shape and position of the ears can vary greatly and usually don't affect hearing.
How often should I clean my baby's ears?
You don't need to clean your baby's ears regularly. Just gently wipe the outer ear with a soft, damp cloth during bath time.
What are the signs of an ear infection in a baby?
Signs of an ear infection in a baby include fever, ear pain, fussiness, difficulty sleeping, and pulling at the ears.
Can ear infections cause hearing loss?
Yes, repeated ear infections can sometimes lead to temporary or even permanent hearing loss. It's important to treat ear infections promptly to prevent complications.
Signs to Consult Immediately
High fever (above 100.4°F or 38°C) along with ear pain.
Ear discharge, especially if it's bloody or foul-smelling.
Severe ear pain that doesn't improve with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Hearing loss or difficulty understanding speech.
Dizziness or balance problems.
Swelling or redness behind the ear (mastoiditis).
Detailed Explanation
The tragus is a small, yet noticeable, part of the outer ear.
It's primarily made of cartilage, which gives it its shape and flexibility.
While it doesn't have a specific, crucial function like hearing, it acts as a protective barrier for the ear canal and can help with sound localization to some extent.
Think of it as a little guard for the entrance to the ear.
In young children, the tragus is often more prominent.
As they grow, the surrounding ear structures develop, and the tragus becomes relatively less noticeable.
It's perfectly normal for the size and shape of the tragus to vary from person to person.
There's no 'normal' size or shape, so don't worry if your child's tragus looks different from another child's.
One of the main reasons parents might pay attention to the tragus is to check for signs of an outer ear infection (otitis externa), sometimes called 'swimmer's ear.' If the outer ear canal is infected, gently pressing on the tragus will often cause pain or tenderness.
This is because the inflammation in the ear canal puts pressure on the tragus.
However, it's important to remember that pain in the tragus can also be caused by other things, like trauma or skin conditions.
For babies (0-3 months), it's best to simply observe the ears during bath time.
Gently clean the outer ear with a soft cloth, but avoid touching the tragus unless you suspect a problem.
From 3-6 months, you can start gently touching the tragus as part of your routine, getting your baby used to the sensation.
By 6-12 months, you can teach older babies to point to their ear if it hurts.
Premature babies may have more delicate ear structures, so be extra gentle when examining their ears.
Children with eczema or other skin conditions may be more prone to outer ear infections, so pay close attention to their ears and keep them clean and dry.
If your child has a history of ear problems, your doctor may recommend specific cleaning or preventative measures.
In the summer and monsoon seasons, humidity and swimming can increase the risk of outer ear infections.
Make sure to dry your child's ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing.
In the winter, dry air can sometimes cause the skin around the ears to become dry and irritated.
Use a mild moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated.
Avoid using harsh soaps or shampoos that can further irritate the skin.
Sources
Indian Sources
Refer to the IAP guidelines for the latest recommendations on diagnosing and managing ear infections in children in India.
International Sources
Provides global information on hearing loss and its prevention.
Information on child health issues, including ear infections and hearing loss.
Recommended Reading for Parents
Comprehensive guide to child care, including information on ear health.