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Ency. home > Injury > E > Ear emergencies

Ear emergencies    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Foreign body lodged in the ear canal; Perforated eardrum; Ear trauma; Acoustic trauma

First Aid

1. If there is bleeding from cuts on the outer ear, apply direct pressure. If part of the ear has been cut off, keep the part and get medical help immediately. Cover the injured ear with a sterile dressing shaped to the contour of the ear, and tape it loosely in place. Apply cold compresses over the dressing to help reduce pain and swelling.

2. If there is drainage from inside the ear, cover the outside of the ear with a sterile dressing that conforms to the contour of the ear, and tape it loosely in place. Have the victim lie down on the side with the affected ear down so that it can drain. However, do not move the victim if a neck or back injury is suspected. Get medical help.

3. If the eardrum has been ruptured (Initially, there will be severe pain.), place sterile cotton gently in the outer ear canal to keep the inside of the ear clean. Get medical help.

FIRST AID FOR OBJECT IN THE EAR

1. Calm and reassure the victim.

2. Do not attempt to remove the foreign object by probing with a cotton swab or any other tool.

3. If the object is clearly visible at the entrance of the ear canal, and it can be easily grasped with tweezers, gently remove it. Then, get medical help to make sure the entire object was removed.

4. If you think a small object may be lodged within the ear, but you cannot see it, do not reach inside the ear canal with tweezers. You can do more harm than good. Get medical help.

5. Try using gravity to get the object out by tilting the head to the affected side. Do not strike the victim's head, but shake it gently in the direction of the ground to try to dislodge the object.

6. If the object is an insect, don't let the victim put a finger in their ear since this may make the insect sting. First, turn the victim's head so that the affected side is up, and wait to see if the insect crawls out. If this doesn't work, try to gloat the insect out by pouring mineral oil, olive oil, or baby oil into the ear. It should be warm, but not hot. As you pour the oil, you can ease the entry of the oil by straightening the ear canal: pull the ear lobe gently backward and upward for an adult, or backward and downward for a child. The insect should suffocate and may float out in the oil bath. Avoid using oil to remove any object other than an insect, since oil can cause other kinds of objects to swell.

Do Not:

  • DO NOT block any drainage coming from the ear.
  • DO NOT try to clean drainage or irrigate inside the ear.
  • DO NOT attempt to remove the foreign object by probing with a cotton swab, pin, or any other tool. To do so will risk pushing the object farther into the ear and damaging the middle ear.
  • DO NOT reach inside the ear canal with tweezers.

Call Your Health Care Provider Immediately If:

  • You suspect any serious head injury.
  • First aid methods are unsuccessful and the victim is experiencing pain, reduced hearing, dizziness, or a sensation of something lodged in the ear.

Ency. home > Injury > E > Ear emergencies

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