August 12, 2022 What are foreign bodies? Any object introduced intentionally or accidentally into the ear canal is referred to as a 'foreign body'. Foreign bodies in the ear are of different types. They are almost always innocuous and does not need an emergent extraction, but its timely extraction should be done. Most frequent types of foreign bodies in the ear are: Cotton tips of swabs; Hearing aid parts; Silicone tampons; Small parts of toys; Earring parts; Sometimes insects. An exception that must be recognized and treated quickly is the presence of a battery (eg from a watch or hearing aid) in the external auditory canal, since this object can cause an exuberant chemical damage with serious consequences. A foreign body in the ear can cause pain, infections, and hearing loss. Usually, an adult can identify the problem; Children often do not recognize the presence of a foreign body in the ear. How to treat? First of all, a cotton swab or other blunt objects should never be inserted into the ear canal to try to remove or move the foreign body because there is a risk of introducing it further, possibly causing damage to the eardrum. If the object is clearly visible and can be grasped , tweezers can be used to pull it out. In children , there can be no sudden movement of the head that could worsen the situation. Therefore, sometimes it is not possible to safely remove a foreign body from the ear at home. The use gravity should be tried, tilting the head to the affected side to move the foreign body outside the ear. When the foreign body is an insect, an oil (mineral oil, baby oil, olive oil, almond oil) must first be introduced into the ear canal with the head turned so that the affected ear is facing upwards. Oil should be used only to attempt the removal of insects. This method should never be used in child with ventilation tubes, or if a perforation of the eardrum is suspected. Signs of tympanic perforation are the presence of blood or pus in the ear canal or pain. When to see an otolaryngologist Whenever the aforementioned methods do not work , medical care from an otolaryngologist should be sought as soon as possible, so that the foreign body is safely and effectively removed and future complications are avoided. This article was written by the Hospital da Luz otorhinolaryngology team. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
