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Foreign Body in Ear Discharge Instructions, Child


About this topic


Foreign bodies of the ear happen often in children. Children may put things like pebbles, food pieces, beads, small toys, or erasers into the ears. Sometimes, insects, alive or dead, may also be found in a childs ear. ‚  

What care is needed at home?


Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child. ‚  

What follow-up care is needed?


A repeat exam after removal of a foreign body from the ear is suggested. The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚  
If there is any concern that a foreign body has caused damage to your child's middle or inner ear, your child will be sent to an ear, nose, and throat specialist. This is an otolaryngologist. ‚  

What drugs may be needed?


Most often, drugs are not needed once the foreign body is taken out of your childs ear. If an infection or abrasion is seen, your doctor may order an antibiotic drug or eardrops for your child. Be sure to give these drugs as ordered. ‚  

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Keep all small objects out of your childs reach.
  • Teach your child not to put foreign objects into body openings.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
  • Bleeding, pain, or discharge from your childs ear after the foreign body has been taken out
  • Hearing problems after the foreign body has been taken out
  • Health problem is not better or your child is feeling worse

Helpful tips


  • If you cannot see an object in your childs ear, do not try to remove it.
  • Do not use cotton swabs or tweezers. You may push the object more into your child's ear or cause damage to the eardrum and/or ear canal.
  • The round part of the outer ear is called the pinna. By placing your child's affected ear down and gently pulling on the pinna, the foreign body may shift in the ear canal and fall out. If this method does not work, take your child to a doctor to have the object removed.

In most cases, a foreign body in the ear can be checked by a doctor. Get help right away when the object is: ‚  
  • Causing a lot of pain
  • Food or plant matter, which can swell when moistened like beans
  • A button battery, found in small toys, which releases chemicals that can cause a burn

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my childs condition.
  • I can tell you how to care for my child's ears.
  • I can tell you what I will do if my child has bleeding, ear pain, or drainage from the ear.

Where can I learn more?


American Academy of Otolaryngology ¢ ˆ ’ Head and Neck Surgery ‚  
http://www.entnet.org/healthinformation ‚  
KidsHealth ‚  
http://kidshealth.org/parent/dictionary/f/az-foreign-ear.html ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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