How to get a piece of paper out of a child's ear. foreign body in the ear

Every parent is familiar with situation when his child tried to stuff something up his nose or ear. Most often, babies push a piece of paper, a button, pebbles, small parts of toys, a bead, peas or berries from berries into their noses or ears. A foreign body or an insect can also get into the ears or nose without assistance, by inhalation or during sleep.

Even parents were constantly near the child, they may not see how their baby put a foreign object in their ear. After all, small children still do not understand their feelings well and, due to their “busyness” with the game, they may not notice that there is something in their ear. This is especially true of foreign bodies of non-living origin, which, for some time, except for a certain discomfort, do not cause pain. Insects in the ear cannot be overlooked, they move inside and reach the eardrum, which is reflected in severe pain.

Any foreign body should be removed from the ear immediately, as over time it can disrupt the natural excretion of earwax, cause inflammation and hearing loss. It is best not to get a foreign body out of the child's ear on your own, but to contact an otolaryngologist. Often, when trying to get a foreign body out of a child's ear with a sharp object, parents injure his ear or push it even deeper.

You should only take on a case on your own when you are sure of success or you have there are serious reasons, because of which the visit to the doctor has to be postponed. The algorithm of actions of parents who want to pull a foreign body out of the child's ear at home is as follows:

Lay the child on its side with the ear in which the foreign body is located, and wait a few minutes. Sometimes the foreign body does not have to be pulled out, it falls out on its own when the child's head is positioned so that the affected ear is down.

If the foreign body does not come out on its own, inspect. It is important to know: in children, the ear should be examined, pulling the auricle down and back, and for adults - up and back.

If the foreign body has not penetrated too deeply and is stuck in the outer part of the ear canal, then the visible part of it remains outside and you just need to pick up this part with tweezers and pull out the stuck object.

If the object is located in the inner part of the hearing aid and is practically invisible, then you cannot try to remove it yourself! It is necessary to contact an otolaryngologist who will diagnose the foreign body of the ear and choose the best method for its removal. Depending on the size and shape of the foreign body, it is removed in the clinic using an instrumental method, washing or by surgical intervention.

Sometimes parents they do not notice that their baby has pushed a foreign object into the ear, because often for some time it does not cause any discomfort in the child. As a rule, this applies to situations where a small, smooth object is in the child's ear. Large foreign bodies prevent the passage of the sound wave through the auditory tube and cause a feeling of congestion in the ear, and also contribute to hearing loss.

foreign body sharp edges can pierce the delicate skin of a child's hearing aid or even the eardrum, resulting in bloody discharge from the ear and pain. It is able to perforate the eardrum, resulting in an infection in the middle ear cavity and otitis media develops.

They are of particular danger to health hearing aid such foreign bodies as grains of corn, peas and beans. A day later, they swell in the ear and increase in volume, completely blocking the lumen of the ear canal. There are cases when peas grew inside the ear, wedged into the ear canal, squeezing the tissues and causing them to necrosis. Of course, the ingress of such foreign bodies causes a feeling of fullness and pain in the ear, leads to hearing loss, but if the child does not talk and only cries, parents may not understand what is so disturbing for the child?

If for a long time do not remove the foreign body from the ear, an inflammatory reaction develops. Everyone knows the symptoms of ear inflammation - pain in the ear, discharge of pus from it and hearing impairment. With severe inflammation of the hearing aid, the child has a fever and a headache. Inflammation leads to swelling of the ear canal and a decrease in its lumen, which makes it many times more difficult to remove a foreign body from the ear. In such cases, otoscopy is necessary for diagnosis.

Ear hit an insect that moves, gives the child a lot of discomfort: tickling and noise in the ear, severe pain. Over time, an insect constantly moving inside the ear leads to irritation of the vagus nerve receptors located in the ear canal, which leads to dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

Unbearable sensations accompanied by after an insect enters the ear, make the child cry loudly and try to put a finger in the ear canal. To save the child from excruciating pains, it is recommended to first kill the insect by dropping 3-4 drops of vaseline or sunflower oil into the child's ear. You can also use glycerin or ethyl alcohol for this purpose.

At lack of oxygen after a few minutes, the insect should die and you can put the baby on the bed so that the liquid that you used to kill the insect flows out of the affected ear. Together with the liquid, the dead insect should also come out. If it is not visible, it is better to entrust its further removal to the otolaryngologist in order to prevent inflammation.

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The presence of a foreign body in the ear creates a danger to human health. The foreign object causes a number of accompanying symptoms and can lead to complications. Due to the long stay of the body in the ear, the process of inflammation begins, which leads to hearing loss. To prevent undesirable consequences, it is necessary to carry out diagnostics in a timely manner and pull the object out of the cavity.

According to the principle of occurrence, foreign bodies are conditionally divided into 2 categories - exogenous and endogenous. The former enter the ear cavity from the environment, the latter are formed inside the organ. Most foreign objects are of exogenous origin, and endogenous ones include plugs from accumulated earwax.

Symptoms

The specific list of symptoms associated with the presence of a foreign object in the ear depends on the characteristics of the foreign body.

Common symptoms include the following:

• sensations of tingling and itching in the ears;
• pain in the auricle;
• reduction or complete loss of hearing;
• copious discharge of pus.

If a living object penetrates the auditory organ and moves frequently, additional symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and convulsions occur. These signs are associated with the fact that the movement of the stimulus through the ear canal affects the vagus nerve receptors.

Why are foreign bodies in the ear dangerous?

Any foreign object in the ear cavity irritates the ear canal. If the object swells due to high humidity, when the sweat glands are released, pressure on the tissues occurs, which creates additional difficulty during extraction.

Untimely removal of the object causes increased pain, deterioration in hearing acuity, and the appearance of swelling.

In advanced cases, a person's temperature rises, migraines occur, and general well-being worsens.

inanimate body

The category of inert inanimate bodies includes a wide variety of objects. These include small stones, earth, household items, and more. In most situations, extracting inanimate objects is easier due to their immobility, provided that the person is at rest. Cases when an inanimate body leaves the ear cavity on its own are quite rare, so medical attention is required.

If the foreign object has sharp edges or a rough surface, there is a risk of damage to the walls of the ear canal and the eardrum. Due to trauma to the internal organs, increased pain and bleeding can be provoked. Pointed objects often perforate the membranes, as a result of which otitis media develops with the likelihood of a transition to a purulent form.

living body

An insect that accidentally fell into the cavity can act as a living body; a leech or larva that enters the ear canal while in the water. Small insects are able to get out of the ear cavity on their own and do not cause much pain, but large living bodies are a big problem for humans.

Due to their large size and oblong shape, insects will not be able to leave the auditory organ without third-party intervention.

The hard surface of the wings and chitinous growths can leave damage to the membranes and soft tissues.

In addition, living objects are able to move inside the ear canal and remain in remote hard-to-reach places. In practice, successful and unconsequent removal of living bodies is possible only with the intervention of a specialist.

How to pull out

It is necessary to remove a foreign object as quickly as possible, until inflammation begins inside the ear cavity. You can try to get a foreign body with improvised means or seek help from a doctor. If a child is faced with a problem, he may have more serious complications, so you need to act with utmost care.

At home

The easiest way to remove a foreign body without assistance is to flush the ear with liquid.

To complete the procedure, just follow the step-by-step recommendations:

1. Heat water to room temperature.
2. Fill the syringe with liquid and place the end of the cannula into the ear canal.
3. Inject water under low pressure. If necessary, injections are necessary until the problem is eliminated.
4. Using a turunda, extract the rest of the water.

The procedure is prohibited if flat and thin objects are stuck in the cavity, or small batteries that can penetrate deep into the body due to the flow of water. Also, washing is not allowed in case of damage to the integrity of the membrane, as the procedure can lead to the development of complications.

In the clinic

In difficult situations, or when independent attempts to extract the object were unsuccessful, you should contact the clinic. After a visual examination, the doctor can remove the body with a special microhook, which is wound behind the object for capture and subsequent extraction. In order to prevent damage to the auditory organ and perforation of the tympanic membrane, the procedure must be performed under continuous monitoring.

If objects swollen due to moisture are removed, the doctor first instills ethyl alcohol. The substance has the property of dehydration and reduces the volume of the foreign object.

In the absence of obvious pain sensations, manipulation is possible without anesthesia. In other situations, local anesthesia will be required, and for babies, general sedation. After the procedure, the organ is examined for inflammation and damage.

The presence of an inflammatory process or swelling of the inner shell of the organ requires postponing the extraction procedure for several days.

During this period, complex antibacterial and anti-edematous treatment is carried out. A decrease in inflammatory signs contributes to a favorable removal of the object.

Prevention

To prevent the penetration of a foreign body into the auditory organ, it is enough to follow simple safety rules.

Including:

1. Small household items should be stored away from the child.
2. Both adults and children need to observe the correct hygienic care of the auditory organs.
3. When in open water sources, ears should be covered with a special cap.
4. Any diagnostic and medical manipulations in the area of ​​the auditory organs are best left to specialists.
5. When using hearing aids, it is important to check them for integrity.
6. Being in the habitat of small insects, care must be taken.

Compliance with these rules will help protect yourself from an unpleasant situation and the development of inflammation. If there are signs of a foreign object in the ear, you should immediately undergo an examination and remove the object.

A foreign object located in the external auditory canal or trapped in the cavity of the middle or inner ear. A foreign body in the ear can be any small household item or a pebble, a toy, a piece of paper, plasticine, cotton wool, a wooden chip or stick, plant seeds, an insect or other living organism, a part of a hearing aid, an accumulation of earwax. A foreign body in the ear is manifested by congestion and pain in the ear, hearing loss, a feeling of pressure in the ear, sometimes dizziness and vomiting. Diagnosis of a foreign body in the ear is carried out using otoscopy. Removal of a foreign body in the ear, depending on its size and shape, is carried out by washing, instrumental or surgical intervention.

General information

By their nature, foreign bodies of the ear are divided into 2 large groups: non-living (inert) and living (mobile). Inanimate foreign bodies of the ear include small pebbles, sand, seeds of various plants, household items (buttons, beads, batteries, small toys and designer parts, pieces of paper, polystyrene, cotton wool, etc.). out of thin air or crawling into the ear while the person was sleeping or lying on the grass; a leech or larva from an open body of water that entered the external auditory canal while swimming. Free-lying and fixed foreign bodies of the ear are also isolated.

Non-living foreign body of the ear: symptoms, diagnosis, removal

A foreign body in the ear of an inanimate nature in some cases may not cause any discomfort in the patient. As a rule, this applies to small and smooth objects. A larger foreign body in the ear, preventing the passage of a sound wave through the auditory tube, causes hearing loss and a feeling of stuffiness in the ear. A foreign body in the ear that has sharp protrusions can injure the skin of the external auditory canal or the eardrum, resulting in pain and bloody discharge from the ear. It can perforate the eardrum. As a result of perforation, an infection can enter the middle ear cavity, leading to the appearance of otitis media.

The foreign body of the ear to some extent irritates the skin of the external auditory canal, stimulating the secretory activity of the sulfuric and sweat glands. As a result of high humidity, ear foreign bodies such as peas, corn and beans swell and increase in volume over time. At the same time, they completely block the lumen of the ear canal, which is accompanied by a significant decrease in hearing, a feeling of fullness in the ear and pain. Reaching a significant size, such a foreign body of the ear compresses the tissues inside the ear canal, causing their necrosis. It is wedged into the ear canal, which makes it much more difficult to remove. Batteries in the ear are a big hazard. Conducting an electric current in a humid environment, they can cause necrosis of the skin of the ear canal.

A foreign body in the ear that is not removed in a timely manner leads to the development of an inflammatory reaction. In such cases, there is the appearance of pain in the ear, the release of mucopurulent discharge from it, hearing impairment. With severe inflammation, an increase in body temperature, headache is possible. The inflammatory reaction is accompanied by swelling, which reduces the lumen of the ear canal, which makes it much more difficult to remove the foreign body in the ear.

A foreign body in the ear of an inanimate nature is often found with a simple examination of the external auditory canal. For a better view of the ear canal in an adult patient or an older child, the otolaryngologist pulls the auricle up and back with one hand. In young children, the auricle is shifted down and back. If the patient did not immediately seek help, then the inflammation and edema that developed in the ear canal prevent visualization of the foreign body in the ear and can hide it. In such cases, otoscopy and microotoscopy are necessary for diagnosis. In the presence of secretions, their microscopy and bacteriological examination are carried out to determine the type of microorganisms that caused the inflammatory process and their sensitivity to antibiotics. If a foreign object has entered the ear as a result of an injury, an x-ray of the skull is additionally prescribed. A foreign body in the ear should be differentiated from ear tumors, damage to the external auditory canal, perforation of the tympanic membrane, otitis externa, and hematoma.

Removal of a foreign body in the ear should be carried out as soon as possible, until an inflammatory reaction has developed in the ear canal or swelling of hygroscopic foreign objects has occurred. You should not try to remove the foreign body of the ear yourself. Such attempts can lead to injury to the skin of the ear canal, damage and perforation of the eardrum, and secondary infection.

The easiest way to remove a foreign body in the ear is rinsing. It is carried out with water heated to body temperature. The doctor draws water into a syringe with a cannula, inserts the end of the cannula into the ear canal and, under slight pressure, flushes. If necessary, the procedure is repeated several times. After washing, the liquid remaining in the ear is removed with the help of a turunda. Washing the ear is contraindicated in the presence of batteries, thin and flat foreign bodies, which can be carried deep into the ear canal by a stream of water, as well as in case of perforation of the eardrum.

Removal of a foreign body in the ear can be carried out with a thin ear hook wound behind a foreign object in such a way as to grab and pull it out of the ear canal. To avoid injury to the ear canal and perforation of the tympanic membrane, manipulation should be carried out under constant visual control. Before removing the seeds swollen from moisture, 96% ethyl alcohol is instilled into the ear, which, due to its dehydration effect, helps to reduce the foreign body in volume.

In the absence of a pronounced pain syndrome, the removal of a foreign body in the ear can be carried out without anesthesia, in other cases, local anesthesia is required, and in young children, general sedation. After removing the foreign body of the ear, a thorough examination of the external auditory canal is performed for damage and inflammatory areas. If these are found, the skin is treated with a solution of boric acid, and an ear antibacterial ointment is additionally prescribed.

In the case of pronounced inflammatory changes and swelling of the ear canal, the extraction of the foreign body of the ear is postponed for several days, during which a combined anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous and antibacterial treatment is carried out. The subsidence of inflammation increases the chances of a successful removal of a foreign object.

Surgical removal of a foreign body in the ear is performed when it cannot be removed through the external auditory canal. The operation is performed through a small incision behind the ear.

Live foreign body of the ear: symptoms, diagnosis, removal

A living foreign body of the ear moves in the external auditory canal, which gives the patient a lot of unpleasant sensations: pain, tickling, noise in the ear. Constantly moving, a living foreign body of the ear leads to irritation of the vagus nerve receptors located in the ear canal with the onset of dizziness and reflex vomiting. Children may have seizures. Some insects are able to secrete specific chemicals that irritate the thin skin of the ear canal and cause necrosis.

The unbearable sensations that accompany a foreign body in the ear of wildlife make the patient immediately consult a doctor. The diagnosis is confirmed by otoscopy.

As a rule, a living foreign body in the ear is first killed and then removed. To quickly get rid of unpleasant symptoms, the patient can independently immobilize the insect by dropping ethyl alcohol, vaseline or sunflower oil into the ear. The subsequent removal of the foreign body of the ear is best left to the otolaryngologist. Due to a quick visit to a doctor, a patient with a live foreign body in the ear usually does not have time to develop inflammatory complications and the insect is successfully removed by washing the ear, removing it with tweezers or a hook.

Sulfur plug: symptoms, diagnosis, removal

The formation of a sulfur plug can occur due to increased production of earwax, difficulty in its discharge due to the anatomical narrowness or curvature of the external auditory canal. Improper ear hygiene also contributes to wax plugs. For example, the habit of cleaning the ears by inserting an ear stick into the ear canal can lead to wax being pushed deep into the ear and the formation of a wax plug.

A foreign body in the ear in the form of a sulfur plug is manifested mainly by a feeling of stuffiness in the ear and hearing loss. There may be a feeling of increased pressure in the ear canal. If the wax plug comes into contact with the eardrum, there is noise in the ear. Diagnose sulfur plugs by examining the external auditory canal and otoscopy.

Removal of cerumen, like most other foreign bodies in the ear, is done primarily by rinsing. Previously, the patient is recommended to instill hydrogen peroxide into the ear for several days, which softens the sulfur plug and facilitates its removal. If the washing fails, instrumental removal of the sulfuric plug is indicated using ear forceps or a special hook.

A foreign body in the ear is a common problem. It is most common in young children who, without fully realizing what they are doing, can easily stick a small toy, a seed, or indeed any thing that comes to hand and is small enough in size to pass into the auditory pass. Adults are not immune from foreign bodies of the ear either. The cases here can be very different: insects crawled into the ear, water got into it during bathing, the ingress of any objects during ear trauma, etc.

To begin with, we will analyze the manifestations in the ear of a foreign body. All foreign objects of the outer ear can be divided into two groups - living (midges, mosquitoes, ticks and other insects) and inanimate (seeds, toy parts, water, etc.). The symptoms that accompany the ingress of a foreign body into the ear will directly depend on which group it belongs to:

• loud noise in the ear- a symptom that accompanies a living foreign body of the ear. Its occurrence is associated with the movement of the insect in the auditory tube, the effect on the eardrum and, as a result, the multiple amplification of the sounds made by the insect;
• dizziness, nausea- symptoms that may also accompany the entry of a living foreign body into the ear. This is due to the fact that next to the external auditory tube is the vestibular apparatus. The movements of the insect irritate him, which becomes the cause of unpleasant manifestations;
• ear pain- can be both with a living and with an inanimate foreign body. Their occurrence is associated with the mechanical effect of a foreign body on pain receptors in the ear;
• severe hearing loss- appears when a sufficiently large, usually inanimate foreign body enters the ear, which largely or completely blocks the external auditory meatus. Sound cannot pass through the obstacle - hearing deteriorates;
• gradual hearing loss usually observed when any seeds enter the ear. This is due to the fact that the seeds are able to absorb liquid, swell and increase in size, gradually blocking the auditory tube;
• bloody discharge from the ear- appear when the walls of the external auditory canal are traumatized by foreign objects with sharp edges;
• congestion in the ear- usually appears when liquid enters the ear, which interferes with the normal transmission of sound and causes a subjective feeling of congestion.

Sometimes, if the foreign object is small and does not have sharp edges, symptoms may be mild or absent at first. But over time, in response to constant irritation, it is possible to develop inflammatory changes in the skin area on which the foreign object is located, and the attachment of pathogenic bacteria or fungi, which will manifest itself as pain, purulent discharge, general malaise and fever (development of otitis externa).

It is not worth removing a foreign object from the ear on your own, since inept attempts to extract it can lead to at least trauma to the skin of the external auditory canal (this will lead to otitis externa). In addition, you can push the object deeper down the canal and even damage the eardrum.

It is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible, who will first check whether something really got into the ear with the help of an ear funnel, and if the diagnosis of a foreign body in the ear is confirmed, he will remove this body with special tools.

If the foreign body is inanimate and not firmly stuck in the auditory canal, it is washed out with water. If it was not possible to remove the object by washing (usually when it penetrates the natural narrowing of the auditory canal), a special ear hook is used. As a last resort, if all else fails, doctors resort to surgical intervention - they remove the object through an incision on the back of the ear.

Living foreign bodies are also removed by washing the auditory canal, after immobilizing the insect by instilling alcohol or oil into the ear.

What else can you do yourself?

You can only get rid of water that has entered the external auditory canal on your own. To do this, the ear must be pulled back and up, thereby straightening the auditory canal, and tilting the head towards the affected ear. It is possible to instill alcohol solutions for faster drying of water. As a rule, these measures are enough, a subsequent visit to the doctor is not required, but this is the only such case. In all other situations, you will have to go to the lore.

With excruciating pains, noise in the ear, which are delivered by living foreign bodies that have fallen into the ear, you can immobilize the insect yourself. To do this, it is necessary to drip alcohol or some kind of oil (sunflower, vaseline) into the ear. This will relieve the symptoms. But after this procedure, it is still necessary to see a doctor so that he finally removes the dead insect from the ear.

If seeds get into the ear, you can several times at short intervals drip a 96% alcohol solution into the ear (for children - 70%, too high a concentration can cause burns) or a solution of boric alcohol. It will draw moisture out of the seed, and the latter will decrease in size. This will reduce the severity of symptoms and facilitate the removal of a foreign body by a doctor.

If a foreign object gets into your ear, even if it does not bother you, you should not postpone a visit to the doctor. The sooner you seek medical help, the easier it will be to remove the foreign body. Be healthy!

Olga Starodubtseva

Photo istockphoto.com

Fortunately, such a problem as a foreign body in the ear occurs infrequently. But it is this situation, simple at first glance, that sometimes leads to the most unpredictable consequences, since many simply do not know how to get a foreign body out of the ear and not injure themselves even more. Understanding how to behave correctly will help to avoid additional trauma and solve the problem as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Foreign body in children

Most often, foreign bodies get into children's ears. Most often, the problem occurs in babies left unattended. Children are not yet aware of the dangers, so various small objects can periodically end up in the nose, auricle and even the respiratory tract. What doctors don’t extract from a child’s ear: buttons, small parts of toys, coins, grains and beads, tablet batteries and much more.

It is not always possible to immediately determine the presence of a foreign body in a child's ear. Children under 2 years of age usually cannot tell. And older kids are often afraid to confess, fearing that their mother will scold them. Therefore, basically the main symptom is the unpredictable or unusual behavior of the child, who may suddenly begin:

• cry for no apparent reason;
• shake your head from side to side;
• refuse to lie down on one side;
• constantly picking your finger in your ear.

The mother should also be alerted by a sudden decrease in hearing acuity in a child, which can be caused by a sulfur plug or a foreign body that does not cause pain and anxiety, but partially or completely blocks the ear canal.

Causes and symptoms in adults

Situations in which foreign bodies of the ear disturb adults occur less frequently. Most often this happens through negligence or in non-standard circumstances:

• cotton wool remains in the ear canal during cleaning;
• debris or sand gets in during strong winds;
• during sleep, small insects crawl;
• larvae or small leeches penetrate the ear when bathing.

It also happens that other small objects accidentally fall into the ear canal. In some cases, they are smooth, light and do not cause any disturbance. Then the sensation of a foreign body in the ear is expressed only in its congestion and unexpected hearing loss.

These situations are the most dangerous, because when trying to clear the ear to improve hearing, you can inadvertently push the object even further and even damage the eardrum.

Classification of foreign bodies

All foreign bodies that can somehow get into the ear canal can be divided into three main groups.

1. Sulfur cork. It is formed with irregular or improper care of the ears. It thickens and gradually completely blocks the ear canal. At first, her presence is absolutely imperceptible, but over time, hearing begins to gradually decrease. If the cork is deep and presses on the eardrum, then an earache occurs, and later a headache. The deterioration of blood circulation can provoke an inflammatory process in the middle ear.

1. Living foreign body. These are crawling, floating and flying small insects and their larvae. Most often they get into the ear while sleeping or diving. This feeling cannot be confused with anything, since the trapped insect begins to rush about, hitting the eardrum, causing pain and scratching unpleasantly inside the ear. Worst of all, if the insect is able to bite or sting. Then inflammation and / or an allergic reaction can be connected to unpleasant symptoms.
2. Inanimate foreign body. Usually gets into the ear of an adult through stupidity, negligence, or an accidental coincidence. It is unlikely that someone will deliberately put corn or pea grains and other inanimate objects into their ears. But during cleaning, a match may accidentally break, leaving a used cotton wool. Or while relaxing on an unequipped beach, sand and small parts of shells get into your ears.

In most cases, foreign bodies that have got deep into the ear canal and stuck there should not be removed on their own. Such self-activity is fraught with a number of very unpleasant consequences. But it’s not worth delaying with its extraction, as the likelihood of complications increases every day.

Possible Complications

A foreign body that has entered the ear not only blocks the ear canal. It is a breeding ground for infections that cause inflammation and suppuration in the middle ear over time. Plant grains, due to being in a humid environment, gradually swell, squeezing the inner parts of the ear and disrupting normal blood flow. It's getting harder and harder to get them out.

Foreign bodies with sharp and uneven edges scratch the inner walls of the ear canal and can cause damage to the eardrum. In addition, an infection also enters the wounds, which spreads through the blood throughout the body. This can provoke inflammation of the lymph nodes and even blood poisoning.

A characteristic sign of an infection in the ear is a strong unpleasant odor, which is felt even at some distance from the patient.

Small batteries that get into the ear are especially dangerous. Once in a humid environment that conducts electricity perfectly, they continue to work and can cause damage and even necrosis of ear tissues. But non-working batteries are no less dangerous. When left in the ear for a long time, they oxidize and cause severe irritation and tissue damage. It is almost impossible to extract them on your own, so it is better to go to the hospital as soon as possible.

Removal methods

The way how to pull a foreign body out of the ear depends 100% on what exactly is inside. Only a qualified specialist can do this safely and painlessly. Therefore, if a foreign object is not visible to the naked eye and it was not possible to remove it with tweezers on your own, you should immediately go to the doctor.

A special case is insects caught in the ear. Often this happens on country trips or camping trips where quick medical attention is not available. And a live insect causes a very strong disturbance. Therefore, it must be killed as soon as possible, or at least immobilized.

This can be done by pouring a few drops of medical alcohol, vodka, sunflower oil or liquid petroleum jelly into the auditory opening. Then you can try to rinse the ear with water. If the insect did not come out on its own, you still have to see a doctor.

The easiest way to rid the patient of a foreign body is to get it with tweezers. This is what the doctor does in most cases. He easily succeeds because he has at his disposal a variety of specially adapted tools with rounded ends, which reduce the possibility of injuring the ear and at the same time prevent the object from slipping back. After removing the object, the doctor conducts a thorough examination and, if necessary, treats the ear with an antiseptic solution and prescribes anti-inflammatory drops.

In some cases, flushing is necessary. The procedure is not very pleasant, but effective. Sometimes it is the only way to get rid of a hardened sulfur plug. Before starting the procedure, a thorough cleaning of the external auditory canal is performed. Then a solution of hydrogen peroxide is poured into the ear, which is left there for a while to soften the plug. After that, water is drawn into a large syringe, heated to body temperature and poured under pressure into the tilted ear.

In rare cases, when a foreign body in the ear is stuck in such a way that it is not possible to remove it through the external auditory canal, one has to resort to surgery.

Before it begins, an x-ray is necessarily taken to clarify the location of the object. Then, under general or local anesthesia, a small incision is made behind the auricle, through which the foreign body is removed, and cosmetic self-absorbable sutures are applied.

Preventive measures

The problem of getting a foreign body in the ear is easier to prevent than to solve. Moreover, the most simple precautions can reduce the likelihood of this trouble to almost zero. To do this, you just need:

• do not leave small children (under 2 years old) unattended;
• do not allow children under 6-7 years old to play with the designer and toys that have small parts;
• tell the child about what happens if something gets into the nose or ears;
• when sleeping outdoors without a mosquito net, cover your ears with earplugs or cotton swabs;
• regularly monitor the cleanliness of the ear canal, freeing it from excess sulfur;
• clean the ears only with specially designed cotton swabs;
• after diving in open water (especially a river or lake!) be sure to remove the remaining water with cotton swabs.

If it was not possible to avoid getting a foreign body in the ear and quickly pull it out on your own, you need to go to a medical facility. Any unprofessional attempt to remove a deeply embedded item can have serious consequences.