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 are the causes?
- Your child is curious about the body.
- Your child may be bored or busy playing.
- Your child may be copying some other childs actions.
- A parent or caregiver may put something into a child's ear on purpose, such as a piece of cotton, but then is not able to take it out.
- An insect may fly or crawl into your child's ear and stay there. This may happen when a child is asleep, and most often when outside or on the floor.
What are the main signs?
- Ear pain
- Drainage from ear
- Bad smell from the ear with the foreign body
- Bleeding from the affected ear
- Trouble hearing
- Sense of fullness in ear
- Buzzing in the ear
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Dizziness
If your child puts something in the ear, your child may also try to put something in the other ear, in the nose, or in the mouth. Your childs doctor can check to make sure that this is not the case. ‚
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
The doctor will take your childs history and will do an exam. Your child's doctor will look into the ear with an otoscope. This is a tool with a light and a lens that lets the doctor see into your child's ear. The doctor may also test your child's hearing as well as look for bleeding, signs of infection, or an injury. ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Care depends on the type of foreign body in your childs ear. Most often, the foreign body stays close to the opening of the outer ear. Irrigation and mechanical extraction are two ways used to take an object out of the ear. Your child's doctor will decide what care is needed once an exam is done. ‚
If the foreign body in your child's ear is alive, such as an insect, it must be killed before it is removed. Drowning the insect in something like mineral oil most often does this. ‚
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.
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 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
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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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚