Babies have a tendency to put foreign bodies in their ears out of curiosity or simply by mistake. Your child may have food, buttons, toys, and insects in their ear. In many cases, you should take him to the doctor to have the object removed. However, if you can't go to the pediatrician, you can try using tweezers or gravity to get it out. You can also apply water or oil to your child's ear to facilitate extraction. If he is in pain or if you notice bleeding from his ear, seek medical attention right away.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using Tweezers and Gravity
Step 1. Check if the object is visible
Get close to your child's ear and look into it with a flashlight. Check if you can see the jammed object with the naked eye. In that case, you may be able to pull it out with tweezers or using gravity.
- Avoid putting cotton buds, matches, or other objects in your ear to move the object.
- If you can't see the object or if it seems to be stuck deep in your child's ear, you should tell your doctor right away. Also, go to the emergency room even if the baby has a battery or a sharp object in his ear. The doctor has the appropriate tools at his disposal to extract the object without causing damage.
Step 2. Get some clean tweezers
Make sure they have blunt ends. Rinse them with warm water or soak them in water to disinfect them before use.
You can also clean them with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide if you have them
Step 3. Grab the object and gently remove it
Carefully insert the tweezers into your child's ear and take the item. Grab it in the rougher part, so it's easier to hold it. At that point, gently slide it out of your ear.
- During the extraction, reassure your child and tell him he will not feel pain. You can also distract him with food or a toy.
- If the object doesn't come out when you pick it up with tweezers, don't try to pull it hard. In this case, see your doctor right away.
- If the object goes even deeper into your child's ear, go to the doctor right away.
Step 4. Try tilting your child's head and dropping the object
If it's not stuck deep in your ear, it could come out thanks to gravity alone. Tilt the baby's head to one side, with the ear pointing to the ground. At that point, gently shake his head or tap him. The object may fall by itself.
If the item doesn't fall on its own, have it pulled out by a doctor
Method 2 of 3: Apply Water or Oil to the Ear
Step 1. Get a bulb syringe and warm water
Another option is to use water to expel the object from your child's ear. Get a special ear syringe and a bowl of warm water. The bulb syringe will allow you to insert the water into your child's ear without taking any risks.
- You can find ear bulb syringes in pharmacies or on the internet.
- If your child feels pain or you notice blood or other secretions coming out of their ear, do not apply water or oil. These are symptoms of a more serious problem, such as a perforation of an eardrum. See your doctor right away.
- If your child has drainage tubes in his ear, do not remove the object with either water or oil. If you can't pull it out with tweezers, ask a doctor for help.
Step 2. Insert the bulb syringe into your ear to remove the object
Fill the bulb syringe with warm water, then tilt your child's head and place it on your lap, ear up. Insert the syringe into your ear and press the plunger to expel the water. At that point, turn his head down so that the water and the object come out of his ear.
If necessary, repeat the application a couple of times. If after a few attempts, you are unsuccessful, seek medical attention
Step 3. Use baby or mineral oil to remove a bug
If an insect got stuck in your child's ear, you can try to pop it out with oil. Reheat it so it's lukewarm, but not too hot.
- Do not use oil to remove other objects, only for insects.
- Again, you should avoid using the oil if you suspect your child has a more serious problem, such as a perforated eardrum or if he has drainage tubes in his ear.
Step 4. Pour the oil into your child's ear
Tilt your baby's head so that the affected ear is facing up. Pour a tablespoon of oil slowly into the ear. Pull the lobe back and down to help insert the oil.
The insect should choke and float out of your baby's ear, thanks to the help of the oil
Method 3 of 3: Take Your Child to the Doctor
Step 1. Allow the doctor to examine your child's ear
He will begin the examination by using medical tools to examine your child's ear and identify the object inside. He may also ask you or the child to describe what symptoms are affecting him, such as pain, irritation, fluid coming out of his ears, or hearing difficulties.
In some cases, if the object is stuck deep in the ear, the doctor will request an X-ray to identify it and understand how to extract it
Step 2. Ask your doctor what options are available for extraction
Depending on the object in your child's ear, he may try cleaning the ear canal with water or use an air-sucking tool to pull the object. He can also insert a medical instrument into the ear to extract the object or do it with the help of a magnet if it is something metallic.
- Once the object is removed, the doctor will check the ear canal for damage.
- The doctor will prescribe your child a topical antibiotic in drops to treat or prevent infections, as well as relieve irritation.
Step 3. Go back to the doctor
If you notice that your child is hearing worse or that his ear is not healing as it should, make a new appointment with the doctor, who may perform other tests on your child to determine if he has suffered internal damage or ear injuries.
