Removing an Object Lodged in the Ear
At some point in our life we will have to deal with an object that is lodged in an ear that cannot easily be removed. Children are notorious for sticking things into the ear, but sometimes the offending object will be a bug or something airborne that accidentally enters the ear canal. If you find yourself in this situation don't panic.
If the object is visible, simply grasp it with your fingers or with tweezers and gently pull it out.
If you do not have tweezers, tilt the head to the affected side. Pull the ear back and upwards to straighten the ear canal and shake the head gently toward the floor. Gravity will be on your side and the object lodged in the ear should fall out.
Water irrigation might be the easiest method for removing an object that is not too tightly lodged in the ear. Fill a syringe, medicine dropper or suction bulb with warm water. Have the person stand over the sink and tilt their head so that the affected ear is facing downward. Direct a steady stream of water into the ear canal to flush out the object.
Occasionally a bug will crawl into the ear and become lodged. As mentioned above, if the bug is visible, simply remove it with your fingers or tweezers. However, if the bug has traveled further into the ear canal it might be necessary to float it out.
With the affected ear facing upward pour enough warm mineral oil, baby oil, cooking oil or olive oil into the ear to fill the ear canal. Let the oil sit for a minute or two to kill the bug. Tilt the head so that the ear is facing downward and allow the oil to drain. The bug should flow out of the ear with the oil.
Should these methods fail and the foreign object remain lodged in the ear, seek the advice of a health care professional. Do not insert a cotton swab, match, bobby pin or any other instrument into the ear to remove the object as this could push it further into the ear canal and potentially cause further damage to the middle ear.
Note from author: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any illness, injury or disease.
Sources:
Foreign Body in Ear
Ear emergencies
Foreign object in the ear: First aid
If the object is visible, simply grasp it with your fingers or with tweezers and gently pull it out.
If you do not have tweezers, tilt the head to the affected side. Pull the ear back and upwards to straighten the ear canal and shake the head gently toward the floor. Gravity will be on your side and the object lodged in the ear should fall out.
Water irrigation might be the easiest method for removing an object that is not too tightly lodged in the ear. Fill a syringe, medicine dropper or suction bulb with warm water. Have the person stand over the sink and tilt their head so that the affected ear is facing downward. Direct a steady stream of water into the ear canal to flush out the object.
Occasionally a bug will crawl into the ear and become lodged. As mentioned above, if the bug is visible, simply remove it with your fingers or tweezers. However, if the bug has traveled further into the ear canal it might be necessary to float it out.
With the affected ear facing upward pour enough warm mineral oil, baby oil, cooking oil or olive oil into the ear to fill the ear canal. Let the oil sit for a minute or two to kill the bug. Tilt the head so that the ear is facing downward and allow the oil to drain. The bug should flow out of the ear with the oil.
Should these methods fail and the foreign object remain lodged in the ear, seek the advice of a health care professional. Do not insert a cotton swab, match, bobby pin or any other instrument into the ear to remove the object as this could push it further into the ear canal and potentially cause further damage to the middle ear.
Note from author: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any illness, injury or disease.
Sources:
Foreign Body in Ear
Ear emergencies
Foreign object in the ear: First aid
Published by Tfurby
Tommie Sandlin enjoys family life, the outdoors, and writing. She has been writing articles via the internet for almost four years. View profile
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