Foreign body of the ear
A foreign body of the ear is a special term used to denote a situation in which the external auditory canal is blocked by a foreign object. Sometimes it is also possible for such an object to penetrate into the middle or inner ear.
The content of the article:
Classification of problems with a foreign body of the ear
Symptoms of a foreign body in the ear
Diagnosis of a foreign body in the ear
Removal of a foreign body from the ear
Foreign body of the ear
Most often, a foreign body is small objects or pieces of them, for example, plastic, paper, fabric, wood, seeds or insects. Also, an element of a hearing aid can get into the ear canal. A large accumulation of ear sulfur material is also diagnosed as a foreign body. So, there is a distinction between a living and inanimate body, as well as a sulfur plug.
The main symptoms of a foreign body of the ear are a feeling of congestion, pain, pressure. In some cases, dizziness or nausea may occur.
In order to detect and confirm the presence of an object in the ear, ENT prescribes an otoscopy. After diagnosis, it is necessary to remove a foreign body from the ear, for which washing and the use of instruments can be used. In special cases, a surgical operation is prescribed.
Classification of problems with a foreign body of the ear
Diagnosis of a foreign body of the ear is very important. Firstly, it helps to prevent the occurrence of complications: infections, inflammation, pus, diseases of a complex nature. Secondly, it prevents subsequent ear injuries, tissue necrosis, swelling and bleeding. Thirdly, the earlier the diagnosis is made, the less painful the removal of a foreign body from the ear will be, which means that the painful sensations and the invasiveness of the procedure will be minimized for the patient.
So, if a foreign body has got into the ear, it is necessary to conduct a study and determine the nature of the object. Depending on its type, the extraction method is also assigned. So, a foreign body in the ear can be diagnosed as follows:
a living body in the ear;
an inanimate body in the ear;
sulfur plug.
Living and inanimate bodies are objects of exogenous origin, and the sulfur plug is endogenous (since it occurs inside the ear, based on the substance secreted by the body). Inanimate bodies are also called inert, and living bodies are called mobile. According to this division, there are also procedures that precede the manipulation of removal and subsequent treatment of the patient.
According to the position of the foreign body in the ear , they are divided into:
freely lying;
fixed.
The symptoms, course and treatment of the problem depend on what type of foreign body is in the ear.
Symptoms of a foreign body in the ear
Symptoms of an inanimate foreign body in the ear
If there is a foreign body in the ear, the symptoms may not manifest themselves for a long time, since the object may have a streamlined shape, a smooth surface or be very small. But a large thing in the ear canal will definitely cause, firstly, hearing impairment, and secondly, a feeling of stuffiness. Also, the symptoms of an inanimate foreign body in the ear include:
pain;
discharge from the ear, often of a bloody nature;
injury, scratching, perforation of the eardrum;
the result of an injury to the eardrum may be an infection (for example, otitis media);
a feeling of bursting, pressure;
necrosis of the ear tissue area.
The symptoms may also vary depending on what kind of inert object got into the ear canal. For example, if a thing has sharp edges, edges or surfaces, it can dissect the eardrum, which will cause not only bleeding, but also sharp pains, possible infection and infection. But the seeds, getting into the ear canal, swell, absorbing sulfur secretions and other liquids. Gradually, the seed increases in size, impairing audibility for a person, and pain sensations will increase. Additionally, there is a feeling of pressure or bursting, further compression of the ear passage can lead to necrosis of the tissue inside. It is quite difficult to remove such objects from the ear: they seem to be glued into the inner cavity, occupying all the free space.
It is also unpleasant to get batteries in the ear. Due to the fact that these elements conduct current, which becomes possible due to the constant presence of moisture in the inner ear, they become the cause for the onset of necrosis of the skin tissues of the ear canal.
Of the most frequently falling objects in the ear canal, it is possible to distinguish cotton buds and their elements. This is a consequence of a misunderstanding of the hygiene process: often people do not know how to use this tool, and only drive sulfur deeper into the ear, actively manipulating the wand in it. With such careless actions, fragments of the plastic or wooden base of the wand may occur, cotton wool fibers accumulate or sulfur plugs form inside the ear canal.
Symptoms of a living foreign body in the ear
A living, mobile foreign body can also get into the ear canal, for example, an insect, a leech, a worm, a larva, etc. Symptoms with such an object in the ear include:
pain;
hearing loss;
feeling of pressure;
tickling in the ear;
noise;
dizziness;
reflex nausea and vomiting;
seizures;
tissue necrosis.
It is very difficult to tolerate a living foreign body inside yourself, so patients usually go to the doctor pretty soon. If this is not done, then not only an inflammatory response or suppuration may occur. There are cases when insects have laid eggs in a person’s ear, trying to reproduce. This scenario is very unlikely, but it is possible. Do not postpone going to the doctor for later.
If a person finds himself in a situation in which the penetration of a living foreign body is possible, then it is worth warning the danger and protecting the ears. For example, on a hike, a trip, an overnight stay in the open air or a picnic, it is better to protect yourself once again and wear a hat, a scarf, a bandage that fits tightly to your ears. Decorative headphones will also come in handy, which protect the shells not only from cold or wind, but also from the penetration of foreign bodies. At worst, wrap yourself in a scarf. Remember — if the situation is unfavorable, it is better to be safe and protect yourself from the penetration of a living organism in advance.
Symptoms of sulfur plug
If there is a feeling of a foreign body in the ear, do not rush to self-diagnose and be afraid that the auditory canal is blocked by an object or a living organism. It can also be a sulfur plug: accumulated secretions form a seal that interferes with the normal operation of the ear and can cause inflammation.
The reason for the appearance of a sulfur plug is the increased and constant release of earwax, poor hygiene of the external auditory canal. The symptoms of this problem are as follows:
feeling of stuffy ear;
poor audibility;
ear pressure;
noise.
If these symptoms occur, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible: early diagnosis allows the use of the least invasive methods of removing the sulfur plug.
Diagnosis of a foreign body in the ear
Diagnosis of an inanimate foreign body in the ear
In order to detect the presence of a foreign object in the ear, in most cases, a routine examination by an ENT is necessary. The doctor performs it by gradually shifting the shell with his hand, which improves the visibility of the auditory canal. If you do not seek help for a long time, then the examination will not help: swollen objects or swollen tissues of the inner ear canal interfere with normal visibility. If this happens, then otoscopy is used, checking the secretions, their bacteriological analysis, radiography.
Often a foreign body in the ear is diagnosed in children: toddlers can push a small object into the ear canal. Therefore, it is not necessary to give the child small spare parts or parts from toys, jewelry, household items and clothes; and, in addition, to monitor his movements. A small detail can stay in the ear for a long time without causing symptoms, but inflaming the surrounding tissues. Children will not always be able to explain what exactly hurts them, and it is desirable to make a diagnosis as soon as possible.
Diagnosis of a living foreign body in the ear
A movable foreign object in the ear can cause very excruciating pain to the patient, so it is almost impossible to confuse this with another problem of the ENT segment. The doctor will try to shorten the procedure time by diagnosing a living foreign body.
To remove a foreign organism from the ear, it is necessary to first carry out the procedure of killing the insect. So, you can drip alcohol, sunflower or vaseline oil into the ear yourself or with qualified help, then this will ease the symptoms.
After that, the removal of a living foreign body is carried out.
Diagnosis of sulfur plug
Foreign bodies in the ear, such as a sulfur plug, can be detected with a simple examination. The doctor pulls back the auricle, increasing the ability to visualize the problem. If this does not help, then otoscopy or microtoscopy or additional tests and procedures are prescribed.
A sulfur plug can cause the onset of an inflammatory reaction, the development of an infection or disease, which are characterized by much more active symptoms and pain. Therefore, the diagnosis of this problem should be carried out at the earliest possible date.
Removal of a foreign body from the ear
Removal of an inanimate foreign body from the ear
For help in removing an object from the ear, you should contact as soon as possible so that an inflammatory or purulent reaction to a foreign body does not begin. You should also not try to pull the object out of your ear yourself — you can injure yourself even more.
If the removal is carried out almost immediately after the foreign body has entered the ear, then either local anesthesia or complete anesthesia (for young children) is used. You can perform the manipulation without an anesthetic. Removal is performed using a thin tool — a hook.
If the inflammatory reaction has already begun, then the patient takes an antibacterial or anti-inflammatory agent, puts an ointment in the ear, the skin is treated with a solution of boric acid. After the reaction decreases, the object is removed.
If it is impossible to remove the object with a special tool, then a surgical operation is prescribed, and the foreign body of the ear is removed through an incision on the back of the ear.
Removal of a living foreign body from the ear
After the insect is killed, the doctor can perform the procedure of removing it from the ear. Usually it is carried out with the help of the already mentioned thin tool in the form of a hook. A washout or tweezers are also used.
Due to the fact that the symptoms of a living foreign body in the ear are characterized by bright and acute pains, the inflammatory process usually does not have time to begin. Therefore, this type of foreign body is not characterized by the development of complications.
Removal of sulfur plug
Removal of the sulfur plug can be carried out in different ways: invasive and non-invasive, depending on how early the diagnosis was made. If, for example, a sulfur plug was detected at an early stage, then hydrogen peroxide is instilled into the ear, repeating this procedure for several days. This procedure is aimed at softening the sulfur plug, which not only reduces pain, but also facilitates its further removal.
The sulfur plug can be removed by washing, which is very successful if the plug is softened.
If the washing did not bring results, then the removal of the sulfur plug is carried out using a thin medical hook. It is possible to use ear forceps.
