Ear Foreign Body

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• An ear foreign body is anything that gets stuck in your ear canal other than earwax. This may include food, toy pieces, beads, buttons, disk batteries, cotton swab, paper, or insects. Foreign bodies are usually trapped in the outer ear canal. The outer ear canal, or external auditory canal, is the tube from the opening of your ear to the eardrum. You may have pain or fullness in the ear, or trouble hearing if the ear canal is blocked. Blood or thick discharge (drainage) may come out from the affected ear. If the foreign body is an insect, you may feel movement or hear buzzing.
  
  
• Diagnosis of ear foreign body may include a detailed health history and careful checking of the ear. Removal of the foreign body from the ear is the main goal of treatment. This may be done using gentle flushing of the ear canal with warm water, suction, or instruments. Live insects are usually killed with a liquid before being removed. Surgery may be needed to remove a deep foreign body or treat ear damage. With treatment, the foreign body will be removed from the ear, and more serious problems can be prevented.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.
  
  
• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to fight or prevent an infection caused by bacteria. Always take your antibiotics exactly as ordered by your caregiver. Keep taking this medicine until it is completely gone, even if you feel better. Stopping antibiotics without your caregiver's OK may make the medicine unable to kill all of the germs. Never "save" antibiotics or take leftover antibiotics that were given to you for another illness. Make sure that the tip of the bottle does not touch your skin if you are using ear drops.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

What to do if you have a foreign body stuck in your ear:

• Do not put anything in your ear to try to take the foreign body out. This may push the object deeper into the ear canal.
  
  
• If you feel a live insect moving in your ear, you may place a few drops of mineral oil in your ear. This will help kill the bug and decrease discomfort. Do not drop oil in the ear canal if you have a known tear in your eardrum. Do not put your finger inside your ear.
  
  
• Teach your child to tell an adult right away if he has symptoms of a foreign body in his ear.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have trouble hearing, or you hear ringing sounds.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You feel dizzy.
  
  
• You have discharge or blood coming out from your ear.
  
  
• Your ear pain does not go away or gets worse.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page