A foreign body in the ear is a fairly common problem and a common reason for contacting an otolaryngologist. Mostly this problem is faced by children. However, adults are not safe from the penetration of a foreign body into the ear. For example, an insect may crawl into it or a small piece of cotton wool may remain after treatment.
If the first signs of the presence of foreign objects in the ear canal occur, you should immediately consult a doctor who will help to remove them and prevent the development of complications.
Ear structure
To make sure that you should not try to independently remove items accidentally in your ear, you must first familiarize yourself with the structure of the ear canal. The outer part consists of an auricle.
Since this part consists only of soft tissues, it is quite possible to straighten its bends by slightly pulling out the auricle in order to conduct an examination if necessary. The inner part of the ear consists of bone tissue, and it is located deep enough. In addition, there is a niche near the eardrum where small objects can fall, which are difficult to notice upon examination.
Such bends of the ear provide additional protection for the eardrum from a foreign body and trauma. However, these same passages create many difficulties when removing a foreign object. In the outer part, foreign bodies can be removed much faster and easier than from the bone section.
Self-introduction into the ear canal of a stick, match or spoke to remove a foreign body from the ear is unacceptable, as this leads to injury to the skin with pain and bleeding from the ear.
Description of the problem
A foreign body in the ear (ICD-10 state is assigned the code T16) can be exogenous, which is divided into living and non-living objects, as well as endogenous, produced by the body itself, in particular, it can be sulfur plugs. Foreign objects not only deliver a lot of unpleasant sensations, but also contribute to the development of inflammation, the appearance of otitis media. Also at the entrance of the external auditory canal, various types of lesions can form.
In addition, a foreign body in the ear of animal origin can irritate the glands, secrete a special secret, and provoke their hypersecretion. As a result of this, the tissues of the inner part of the ear increase in size and swell strongly. These substances irritate the skin and eardrum and provoke inflammation.
Symptoms of a Problem
Symptoms of a foreign body in the ear largely depend on the characteristics of the subject itself. If this is a small solid object, then for a long time it may not cause concern. However, then gradually from pressure of an outsider on the skin of the ear canal, bedsores occur, the infection joins and inflammation forms. The ear begins to hurt greatly, swell, and purulent and sucrose discharge is also possible.
When an insect penetrates the ear of an insect, discomfort and discomfort begin to appear immediately. First of all, something starts to make a loud noise in the ear, move around and touch the eardrum. The noise is additionally accompanied by the presence of strong painful sensations, and sometimes convulsions and dizziness are possible.
Sometimes a foreign body almost completely clogs the outer part of the ear canal, and then a person develops tinnitus, a feeling of stuffiness, and also hearing loss.
Varieties of foreign objects
A foreign body in the ear (ICD-10 is assigned the code T16) is a very serious problem, as it can provoke many different complications. All foreign objects that can penetrate the ear canal are divided into several groups, namely:
- sulfuric cork;
- insects
- inanimate objects.
Sulfur cork is formed when the ears are improperly or irregularly taken. It condenses over time, and as a result completely blocks the ear canal. Initially, her presence is completely imperceptible, but over time, her hearing gradually begins to decline. If the cork is deep and presses on the membrane, then an ear, and then a headache. If blood circulation is disturbed, inflammation can occur.
There may also be live foreign bodies in the ear, eyes, nose. It can be small insects and their larvae. Often they penetrate the ear during sleep. It is impossible to mix up such a sensation, since the insect touches and injures the eardrum, causing painful sensations. In addition, it can bite or sting. Then inflammation or allergy also joins the unpleasant symptoms.
The non-living foreign body is mainly caught by negligence. It can be small objects, a piece of a match, used cotton wool and much more. Foreign objects that have penetrated very deep into the ear often lead to various kinds of complications.
Foreign body in the ear canal in children
Often found in foreign bodies in the nose and ears in children. A similar problem often occurs in babies who are left unattended by adults. Children are still not fully aware of the danger, therefore, various small-sized objects can periodically appear in the auricle, nose or respiratory system.
It is not possible to immediately determine the presence of a foreign body in the child’s ear. Children under 2 years old basically can not say about it on their own. But an older child is afraid to admit, because he fears that his mother will punish him. Therefore, the main symptom may be the unusual behavior of the baby, who suddenly can:
- to shake head;
- cry for no reason;
- refuse to lie on either side;
- poke your finger in your ear all the time.
In addition, a mother should definitely alert her to a sharp decrease in hearing acuity, which may be caused by the presence of a foreign object or sulfur cork.
Causes and main symptoms in adults
If there is a foreign body in the ear, the reasons for this can be very different. In adults, a foreign object enters under unusual circumstances or through negligence. In particular, this may be the case if:
- fleece left in the ear canal while cleaning;
- during sleep insects crawl;
- sand or debris penetrates in strong winds;
- penetrate the ear larvae when swimming.
In addition, it may be that other small objects can get into the ear canal. Often they are light, smooth and do not cause absolutely any discomfort. Then the presence of a foreign body in the ear can manifest itself only in congestion and hearing loss.
First aid
If there is a foreign body in the ear, help should be provided immediately, as foreign objects can provoke the development of various complications. If the visit to the doctor has to be postponed, then initially you need to examine the ear, since if there is a foreign object in the ear canal, you can immediately notice it.
If there is a sensation that an insect is crawling in the ear, then you need to try to kill it by dripping a few drops of a heated solution of glycerin or warm liquid paraffin. It should be noted that its temperature should not be higher than 37 degrees, since it is possible to burn the skin inside the ear. After about 3-5 minutes, the insect dies. Then the patient should tilt to the side where the insect is, leaning a napkin to his ear and wait until it comes out together with the used tool.
If the item is small and metallic, then you can try to bring a magnet to the ear canal. In all other cases, be sure to consult a doctor.
Diagnostics
If you suspect the presence of a foreign object in the ear, you should definitely contact an otolaryngologist. He will do an otoscopy that allows you to see a stuck object. However, if he was in the ear long enough and external otitis media developed during this period, then otoscopy will not give any result. In this case, the otolaryngologist appoints a tomography of the temporal bone.
Treatment features
When a foreign body enters the ear, the treatment may differ depending on the type of jammed item. With tweezers, the doctor removes a small or flat solid object. Basically, removal of a foreign body from the ear is almost painless and does not cause much discomfort. This method is also suitable for the extraction of cotton wool, small pieces of paper and matches.
To extract solid objects of a rounded shape, a special Janet syringe is used, designed for washing. This is a rather unpleasant procedure, so children spend it only after preliminary anesthesia. An alcohol solution is used to extract the swollen foreign bodies. This tool is used for their preliminary dehydration.
If a foreign object completely clogs the ear canal, then special hooks are used to extract it. Before removing a foreign body, signs of inflammation must be removed.
If all these methods did not bring any result, then the operation is shown. It is performed after preliminary diagnosis, so that it is possible to exclude the presence of a tumor, hematoma, perforation of the membrane. The operation is performed under general anesthesia.
What is forbidden to do
Attempting to remove a foreign object from your ear yourself can be very dangerous. If round objects are removed with tweezers, they can penetrate even deeper into the ear canal. Actions such as:
- Extraction of foreign objects using sticks or matches;
- washing the ear if flat objects hit it;
- the use of conventional removal techniques for severe swelling and inflammation;
- delaying contacting a doctor, as there is a risk of suppuration.
Be sure to observe preventive measures, since the penetration of a foreign object into the ear canal can be very dangerous.
Possible complications
A foreign object caught in the ear almost completely blocks the ear canal. It provokes the occurrence of infections, which over time lead to the development of inflammation and suppuration in the middle ear. If plant grains enter the ear canal, then in a humid environment they begin to swell gradually, squeezing the inner parts of the ear and disrupting normal blood circulation.
Foreign objects with sharp or jagged edges scratch the skin inside the ear and can cause injury to the eardrum. An infection also penetrates the wounds, which spreads throughout the body with a blood stream. This can provoke inflammation of the lymph nodes and blood poisoning.
Particularly dangerous are batteries that enter the ear. Once in a humid environment and having a charge, they continue to work and can provoke damage and even tissue necrosis. In addition, when they are in the ear for a long time, they begin to oxidize and at the same time provoke very strong irritation and subsequent damage to internal tissues.
Prophylaxis
In order to avoid the danger of a foreign object entering the ear, certain preventive measures must be followed, namely:
- do not leave children under 2 years old unattended;
- do not allow children under 7 years old to play with toys that have small parts;
- while sleeping or relaxing in the fresh air without using a mosquito net, cover your ears with ear plugs;
- clean your ears only with special cotton buds;
- thoroughly clean your ears regularly.
If, in compliance with all safety measures, it was still not possible to avoid getting a foreign body into the ear, you should immediately contact an otolaryngologist to eliminate it.