A foreign body in the ear is a fairly common problem and a common reason for visiting an otolaryngologist. Mostly children face this problem. However, adults are also not immune from the penetration of a foreign body into the ear. For example, an insect may crawl there or a small piece of cotton wool may remain after medical procedures.
When the first signs of foreign objects appear in the ear canal, you should immediately consult a doctor who will help remove them and prevent complications from developing.
Structure of the ear
To make sure that you should not try to remove objects that accidentally fell into the ear on your own, you must first familiarize yourself with the structure of the ear canal. The outer part consists of the auricle.
Since this part consists only of soft tissues, its bends can be completely straightened if the auricle is slightly pulled back in order to inspect if necessary. The inner part of the ear consists of bone tissue, and it is located quite deep. Besides,near the eardrum there is a niche where small objects can fall, which are quite difficult to notice during examination.
Such bends of the ear allow for additional protection of the eardrum from a foreign body and injury. However, these same passages create many difficulties in removing the foreign object. In the outer part, foreign bodies can be removed much faster and easier than from the bone section.
Self-introduction of a stick, match or needle into the ear canal to remove a foreign body from the ear is unacceptable, as this leads to skin injury with pain and bleeding from the ear.
Problem description
A foreign body in the ear (according to the ICD-10 code T16) can be exogenous, which is divided into living and inanimate objects, as well as endogenous, produced by the body itself, in particular, it can be sulfur plugs. Foreign objects not only cause a lot of discomfort, but also contribute to the development of inflammation, the appearance of otitis media. Also, various kinds of lesions can form at the entrance of the external auditory canal.
In addition, a foreign body in the ear of animal origin can irritate the glands, secrete a special secret, provoke their hypersecretion. As a result, the tissues of the inner part of the ear increase in size and swell greatly. These substances irritate the skin and eardrum and provoke inflammation.
Signs of a problem
Symptoms of a foreign body in the ear largely depend on the characteristics of the object itself. If thisa small hard object, then it may not cause concern for a long time. However, then gradually from the pressure of an outsider on the skin of the ear canal, bedsores appear, an infection joins and inflammation forms. The ear begins to hurt badly, swell, and purulent and sanious discharge is possible.
When an insect enters the ear, discomfort and discomfort begin to appear immediately. First of all, something begins to make a loud noise in the ear, move around and touch the eardrum. Noise is additionally accompanied by severe pain, and sometimes even convulsions and dizziness are possible.
Sometimes a foreign body almost completely clogs the outer part of the ear canal, and then the person has tinnitus, a feeling of congestion, and hearing loss.
Varieties of foreign objects
A foreign body in the ear (according to the ICD-10 code T16) is a very serious problem, as it can provoke many different complications. All foreign objects that can enter the ear canal are divided into several groups, namely:
- sulfur plug;
- insects;
- inanimate objects.
The earwax plug is formed when the ears are not taken care of properly or regularly. It thickens over time, and as a result completely blocks the ear canal. Initially, her presence is completely imperceptible, but over time, hearing gradually begins to decline. If the plug isdeeply and presses on the membrane, then there is an earache, and then a headache. If the circulation is disturbed, inflammation may occur.
There may also be live foreign bodies in the ear, eyes, nose. It can be small insects and their larvae. They often enter the ear during sleep. It is impossible to confuse such a sensation, since the insect touches and injures the eardrum, causing pain. In addition, it can bite or sting. Then inflammation or allergies also join the unpleasant symptoms.
The non-living foreign body is mostly ingested by negligence. It can be small items, a piece of a match, used cotton and much more. Often, foreign objects that have penetrated very deep into the ear lead to various kinds of complications.
Foreign body in the ear canal in children
Foreign bodies are often found in the nose and ears in children. A similar problem often occurs in babies who are left unattended by adults. Children are not yet fully aware of the danger, so various small objects can periodically end up in the ear, nose or respiratory organs.
It is not possible to determine the presence of a foreign body in a child's ear right away. Children under 2 years of age generally cannot say this on their own. But an older child is afraid to confess, because he is afraid that his mother will punish him. Therefore, the main sign may be the unusual behavior of the baby, who suddenly can:
- windhead;
- cry for no reason;
- refuse to lie down on either side;
- pick your ear all the time.
In addition, a sharp decrease in hearing acuity, the cause of which may be the presence of a foreign object or a sulfur plug, should definitely alert the mother.
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, the ingress of a foreign object occurs under unusual circumstances or through negligence. In particular, this may be the case if:
- a piece of cotton wool remained in the ear canal during cleaning;
- insects crawl during sleep;
- penetrating sand or debris in high winds;
- larvae enter the ear when bathing.
Besides this, other small objects may get into the ear canal. Often they are light, smooth and do not cause any discomfort at all. Then the presence of a foreign body in the ear can only manifest itself 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 a visit to the doctor has to be postponed, then initially you need to examine the ear, because if there is a foreign object in the ear canal, then you can immediately notice it.
If there is a feeling that an insect is crawling in the ear, then you need to try to kill it by drippinga few drops of a heated solution of glycerin or warm vaseline oil. It is worth noting that its temperature should not be higher than 37 degrees, as you can 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 the ear and wait until it comes out by itself along with the agent used.
If the object is small and metal, 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, which allows you to see the stuck object. However, if he was in the ear long enough and during this period otitis externa developed, then otoscopy will not give any result. In this case, the otolaryngologist prescribes a tomography of the temporal bone.
Features of treatment
When a foreign body enters the ear, treatment may vary depending on the type of object stuck. Using tweezers, the doctor removes a small or flat hard object. Basically, the removal of a foreign body from the ear is almost painless and does not cause much discomfort. This method is also suitable for removing cotton wool, small pieces of paper and matches.
To extract solid round objects, a special Janet syringe designed for washing is used. This is a rather unpleasant procedure, so it is carried out for children only afterpreliminary anesthesia. An alcohol solution is used to extract swollen foreign bodies. This tool is used to pre-dehydrate them.
If a foreign object completely clogs the ear canal, then special hooks are used to remove it. Before removal of a foreign body, signs of inflammation must be eliminated.
If all these methods did not bring any result, then the operation is shown. It is performed after a preliminary diagnosis, so that the presence of a tumor, hematoma, and perforation of the membrane can be excluded. The operation is performed under general anesthesia.
What is forbidden to do
Trying to remove a foreign object from your ear can be very dangerous. If you take out round objects with tweezers, they can penetrate even deeper into the ear canal. Actions such as: are strictly prohibited
- extraction of foreign objects with sticks or matches;
- washing the ear if flat objects got into it;
- Using conventional removal techniques for severe swelling and inflammation;
- delay in going to the doctor, as there is a risk of suppuration.
Be sure to take preventive measures, as the penetration of a foreign object into the ear canal can be very dangerous.
Possible Complications
A foreign object that has got into the ear almost completely blocks the ear canal. It provokes the occurrence of infections, which eventually lead tothe development of inflammation and suppuration in the middle ear. If plant grains get into the ear canal, then in a humid environment they begin to gradually swell, 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 through the bloodstream throughout the body. This can provoke inflammation of the lymph nodes and blood poisoning.
Batteries that have entered the ear are especially dangerous. Once in a humid environment and having a charge, they continue to work and can provoke damage and even tissue necrosis. In addition, if they are left 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
To avoid the danger of a foreign object entering the ear, it is imperative to follow certain preventive measures, namely:
- do not leave children under 2 years old unsupervised;
- do not allow children under 7 to play with toys that have small parts;
- while sleeping or relaxing outdoors without using a mosquito net, cover your ears with earplugs;
- clean ears only with special cotton swabs;
- clean your ears thoroughly regularly.
If, after observing all the security measures, it was not possible toto avoid getting a foreign body in the ear, you should immediately contact an otolaryngologist to eliminate it.
