The ear enters the insect, how do you get it out?

The ear is one of the human senses that functions to hear. But when a foreign object or even a stubborn insect enters the ear, of course this feels very disturbing. How to remove insects that enter the ear? What are the consequences if not removed?

How do the ears get into insects?

Small insects can get into your ears at any time, especially when you are outdoors. For example exercise, gardening, walking on the sidewalk, or maybe camping.

Insects that enter your ears may die, but some may survive and try to crawl out of your ears. Well, it is this activity of uninvited guests that can cause various symptoms that you experience in your ears. Starting from the itching sensation in the ear, ringing in the ear, until it may feel painful. This pain in the ear can be caused by a sting or bite from an insect that feels threatened because it is trapped in your ear canal.

Most cases of getting insect ears are actually harmless. However, if it is not removed immediately, there is a risk of complications that may lurk.

Symptoms that arise when the insect enters the ear

If the insect is still alive while in your ear, the buzz and movement of the insect can often be very loud and painful. You may also experience pain, inflammation, swelling, and irritation in the ear. It is also possible that inflammation in the ear eventually forms a pus-filled lump that can burst, so that the ear appears to be oozing fluid.

However, this condition will be more difficult to detect if it occurs in children.

Complications that may occur if the insect enters the ear

The most common complications if the ear enters the insect is a ruptured eardrum or ruptured tympanic membrane.

Insects that enter the ear may bite or scratch the eardrum, which will worsen the condition of your eardrum. A ruptured eardrum is a condition in which there is a tear in the tympanic membrane, which separates the outer ear canal from the middle ear.

Rupture of the eardrum can result in impaired hearing loss and infection of the middle ear. This condition can be temporary until your eardrum heals back. If you have a ruptured eardrum, you will feel pain and usually discharge (pus or blood) from the ear.

How to deal with insect-infested ears?

Insects stuck in the ear must be quickly removed. But you have to stay calm and don't panic. Sudden and excessive movements can actually push the insect deeper into the inner ear canal.

If the insects are still alive, you can pour vegetable oil or baby oil into the ear canal. Usually this is enough to kill insects. If you suspect the insects are dead, you can spray warm water with a syringe (needleless syringe) to flush the insects out of the ear canal. However, if you have a history of ear disease, it's best to see a doctor.

Avoid removing insects by scraping them with your hands. Never put objects such as tweezers or cotton buds in your ears. This will actually further push the insects in, which can injure your eardrums.

If you still can't get the insect out, you shouldn't force it. If the condition worsens, for example, you feel pain in the ear, inflamed and even swollen, or even have difficulty hearing, immediately get your ear checked by a doctor to get proper treatment.