Foreign Body in the Ear

What is a foreign body in the ear?

Foreign objects can accidentally become lodged in the ear canal. This may include food, toy pieces, beads, buttons, disk batteries, cotton swab, paper, or insects. It happens more in children as they often stick objects in their ears. But it can also happen with adults, like when they try to clean the ear with cotton swabs.

Foreign bodies are usually trapped in the outer ear canal. It can cause irritation to the skin of the ear canal. If it gets stuck deep enough, it could tear the eardrum.

Symptoms

• Hearing loss
• Sense of fullness in the ear
• Earache
• Itchiness

Treatment

You should see your doctor or pediatrician within the next 24 hours to have the foreign object removed. This is not a medical emergency requiring a visit to the ER, but the procedure should be performed by a medical professional to avoid damage to the eardrum.

It is important to remove the object in a timely manner to prevent discomfort and the possibility of an infection.

Over-the-Counter Treatment Options

• Ear Drops: Over-the-counter ear drops can help soften and potentially dislodge small objects like insects or wax.
• Ear Bulb Syringe: An ear bulb syringe can be used to gently flush out the ear with warm water, which might help remove small, loose objects.
• Olive Oil or Mineral Oil: A few drops of olive oil or mineral oil can be used to lubricate the ear canal and facilitate the removal of certain objects, like insects.