First aid when the insect enters the ear

The ear is one of the most sensitive organs in the body. That is why, if a foreign object enters the ear canal it can be fatal. The reason is, in addition to clogging the ears, this also causes irritation and even temporarily interferes with hearing. One of the foreign objects that most often enter the ear is an insect. So, how do you get the insects out of your ears? 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 possible complications lurking.

What are the symptoms that occur 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. In addition, you may also experience the following symptoms:

• Ear pain
• There is inflammation
• Swollen ears
• Ears irritation

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.

What are the possible complications if the insect's ear gets into it?

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 an ear condition in which there is a tear in the tympanic membrane (eardrum), 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.

What is the first aid when an insect enters the ear?

Here are some tips that you can do as first aid when an insect enters your ear.

1. Don't panic

The key to getting insects out of your ears is calm. It's natural to have your reaction to the shock of feeling a foreign object enter your ear. This is because insects usually make a crackling or buzzing sound, and may be accompanied by tingling in the ear canal.

Make sure you stay calm and don't panic so as not to cause excessive movement that can cause insects to get deeper into the inner ear canal.

2. Do not insert fingers or other objects into the ear

Usually when an insect enters the ear, people will reflexively try to dig or take the insect by hand. However, to remove insects in the ear, never insert objects such as tweezers or cotton buds into the ear.

Inserting a finger or object will actually push the insect further in and can sting the insect, injuring the lining of your ears or eardrums.

3. Tilt your head

Quoted from the US National Library of Medicine, when an insect enters the ear, it immediately tilts the head opposite the side of the ear that the insect entered. So, if the insect enters the left ear, then tilt the ear that the insect entered is facing upwards.

4. Put oil in the ear

Still with the head tilted, drop the ear with warm water or an oil that is not irritating, for example baby oil, mineral oil, or olive oil. After that, pull a little on the lobe of your ear to remove any air bubbles in the ear for a few seconds.

However, make sure you don't overdo it when you put the fluid in your ear. The fluid that is inserted into the ear hole serves to kill the insects that enter, so it will be easier to remove them.

5. Remove insects from ears

After that, tilt your head on the opposite side (the ear that the insect entered is positioned facing down) to drain the oil and water out of the ear. Then, pay close attention to insects coming out of your ear canal.

If it's not intact, repeat the previous steps until all the insect parts are out of the ears. After the insects leave the ears, don't forget, you have to do the ear cleaning process using warm water. This is important in order to prevent any signs of bleeding and reduce the risk of infection in the ear.

When to see a doctor?

If you still can't get the insect out, you shouldn't force it. Here are the symptoms you need to watch out for:

• Extreme pain in the ear
• The ears are inflamed and even swollen
• Difficulty hearing

If you experience the symptoms above, have your ear checked immediately to the nearest doctor in order to get the right treatment. Remember! You should not do anything other than what has been described above because it can harm your ears.