Common foreign bodies in the ear and how to handle them correctly.

SKĐS - Foreign bodies in the ear are a common occurrence, especially in young children. The safest course of action is to avoid self-treating, attempting to remove the object with home remedies, or self-irrigating or administering ear drops without a prior medical examination.

If a foreign object is suspected in the ear, the patient should go to a medical facility with an ENT specialist for proper examination and treatment.

To help parents understand what a foreign body in the ear is and how to handle it correctly, Dr. Vu Van Tien, MD, MSc - Hanoi Medical University Hospital's Cau Giay branch, will answer the frequently asked questions below.

Lehaanh@gmail.com : What are common foreign bodies in the ear, and are they dangerous?

Dr. Vu Van Tien: A foreign body in the ear is a condition where a foreign object enters or gets stuck in the outer ear canal. This is a common situation in the ENT specialty, especially in young children. Children may accidentally or intentionally insert seeds, toy pieces, paper, pencil tips, etc., into their ears. In adults, common foreign bodies include cotton swabs used for cleaning the ears, small objects that fall into the ear during daily activities or work (pebbles, small stones, sand falling into the ear during construction), or live insects entering the ear.

The image shows injuries to the outer ear canal and a perforated eardrum after the family attempted to remove a foreign object from the child's ear at home.

Foreign bodies in the ear can cause tinnitus, a feeling of blockage in the ear, ear pain if the foreign body is sharp, or ear inflammation, hearing loss, ear discharge or pus if there is a secondary infection. If handled incorrectly, the foreign body from the outer ear can be pushed deeper, scratching the ear canal, even perforating the eardrum and causing more serious damage.

Hoanganhvu-nhano@gmail.com : What should parents do when they discover a foreign object in their child's ear?

Dr. Vu Van Tien: When a foreign object is found in a child's ear, parents should remain calm and avoid scolding, which can frighten the child. They should ask the child (if older) what they inserted, when it happened, and whether the child experienced ear pain, tinnitus, hearing loss, or bleeding. Parents should not attempt to remove the foreign object using home remedies such as cotton swabs, tweezers, ear picks, or hair clips, as these can push the object deeper, causing pain, bleeding, or damage to the eardrum. The child should be taken to a medical facility with an ENT specialist for examination and treatment.

Image of the bead swelling after absorbing water in the ear.

Removing foreign objects from young children requires special caution because they often struggle and are uncooperative. In some cases, the foreign object may seem simple, but if the child shakes their head or makes sudden movements during removal, it can cause ear injury. Therefore, correct handling from the start helps reduce pain, limit bleeding and infection, and avoid complicated interventions later on.

Nguyenngocdung@hotmail.com : If I have a foreign object in my ear, can I use ear drops or water to flush it out myself?

Dr. Vu Van Tien: Do not self-administer ear drops or ear irrigation without a doctor's examination, especially if the patient experiences severe ear pain, bleeding, dizziness, or has a history of perforated eardrum or ear surgery. In particular, do not irrigate with water if the foreign object is a dry seed (beans, corn kernels, peanuts, etc.) or a material that can absorb water and swell, such as expanding toy beads, because when exposed to water, the foreign object can enlarge, become more firmly lodged, and be more difficult to remove.

Image of the plastic bead after it was removed from the ear canal.

If a button battery is identified as a foreign object, immediate medical attention is necessary because this type of object can cause chemical reactions, leading to burns and corrosion of the ear canal. Simple procedures like ear drops or ear cleaning can worsen the condition if done incorrectly; therefore, these should only be performed by medical professionals after an examination confirms the eardrum is normal.

Hoangduong@gmail.com: What should I do if an insect gets into my ear?

Dr. Vu Van Tien: Insects entering the ear often cause significant discomfort: patients who were previously normal suddenly experience sharp pain, tinnitus, crackling sounds, and the sensation of an insect moving inside the ear, leading to panic, dizziness, or nausea. In this situation, patients should not use cotton swabs, ear picks, or tweezers to poke into the ear because the insect may be irritated and move deeper, scratching the ear canal and potentially perforating the eardrum.

Patients should not self-administer alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, hot oil, or medications of unknown ingredients to the ear, as this can cause irritation, burning, or worsen damage if the eardrum is not intact.

Image of a foreign object (a cockroach) in the ear.

Patients should remain calm and go to a medical facility for treatment. During transport, they can tilt their head downwards on the side of the ear with the foreign object. The doctor will examine and identify the foreign object, immobilize the insect if necessary, and then remove it using appropriate specialized instruments. After removing the foreign object, the doctor will re-examine and assess the extent of damage to the ear canal and eardrum to determine the next course of treatment.

When does a foreign object in the ear require immediate medical attention, doctor? (Tran Thanh Hoa – Hai Phong )

Dr. Vu Van Tien: Patients should see an ENT specialist immediately if the foreign object causes significant pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, nausea, ear bleeding, ear discharge, or if attempts to remove it have been unsuccessful. Cases involving button batteries, sharp objects, plant seeds, live insects, or foreign objects located deep within or close to the eardrum also require prompt treatment.

Even after the foreign object is removed, the patient still needs to be monitored. If ear pain, itching, discharge, or a persistent feeling of fullness in the ear persists, a follow-up examination is recommended to check for damage to the external auditory canal or eardrum, so that appropriate treatment can be provided.

Foreign bodies in the ear are a common occurrence, especially in young children. The safest course of action is to avoid self-treatment, attempting to remove the object with home remedies, or self-irrigating or administering ear drops without a prior examination. If a foreign body is suspected in the ear, the patient should visit a medical facility with an ENT specialist for proper examination and treatment.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/di-vat-tai-hay-gap-va-cach-xu-tri-dung-169260528215851119.htm