Spider the Cause of Earache for 9 Year Old Oregon Child

When Diane Courney's 9 year old son complained of an earache, I am sure the last thing she expected to be causing the pain, was a family of spiders!

Jesse Courtney complained of a popping in his ear. This is a common symptom of an ear infection. Just about every grade school age child has described an earache this way. He told his mother it was like hearing "Rice Krispies" popping.

At the doctors office, both Jesse and Diane where surprised to learn that a couple of spiders decided to make a home out of Jesse's ear! One of the spiders in the fourth-graders ear was still alive.

"They were walking on my eardrums," said Jesse Courtney.

When Dr. David Irvine examined him, he said it looked like there was 'something' in his ear. He was unable to identify it immediately. When flushing the ear out, also known as irrigating the ear, the first spider came out dead. After a second flushing, finally the second spider came out still alive! Both the spiders where reported to have been about the size of an eraser on a pencil. Dr Irvine was as surprised as Jesse and his mom were.

"It was the only time I ever pulled out an invertebrate." he said. Jesse got to keep the spiders. Both are dead now. He has shown off his souvenirs in school. Even his mother has taken them to work.

When asked about the ordeal, Jesse commented as any brave 9 year old would "It was real interesting, 'cause, two spiders in my ear...WHAT NEXT?"