Ear emergencies
Alternative names:
foreign body lodged in the ear canal
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 (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 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, and 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 immediately for emergency medical assistance if:
- you suspect any serious head
injury.
- first aid methods are unsuccessful and the victim is
experiencing pain, reduced hearing, or a sensation of something
lodged in the ear.
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