If you’re wondering about “how to remove insect from ear at home,” we've got you covered.

Having a bug inside your ear can be unsettling at best, but  it can be painful and dramatic at worst - it depends on the circumstances.

In some instances, a person may not notice the bug entering the ear at all and may only experience symptoms later on. The most common symptoms of a bug in the ear are a buzzing sound and irritation, but pain and discomfort are also possible.

Although having a bug in your ear is unsettling, becoming anxious will only make the situation worse. Try your best to stay calm when trying to remove a bug, be it from someone else’s ear or your own.

If the bug is in a child’s ear with a history of ear problems, including frequent infections, tympanostomy tubes, or a perforated eardrum, it is best to see a doctor as soon as possible rather than trying to remove the bug at home.

Keep reading to learn how to remove insect from ear at home.

How to get bug out of ear

Follow these steps if you think you have a bug in ear:

  • Tilt your head to the affected side and gently shake your head to dislodge the bug. 
  • If the bug is still alive, try pouring a tiny amount of vegetable oil into the ear to suffocate it.
  • If the bug is dead, try to flush it out of the ear using warm water.
  • Avoid sticking tweezers, cotton swabs, or other objects into the ear. these can push the bug further towards the eardrum, potentially leading to injuries and hearing loss.

Precautions to take

Ears are delicate so here are some precautions to take as you learn how to get a bug out of your ear. Removing anything from your ear should be done with care. Your ear drum is very delicate and pushing anything towards it can cause pain and possibly injury. Do not stick anything in your ear - be it a q-tip or other probing type object -  if you are attempting to remove a bug from your ear at home. Sticking something in your ear can push the insect further inside, which can cause injury. Potential complications include cuts and bruising to the external ear canal, as well as ruptured eardrums.

When should you see a doctor?

If you want to know how to get a bug out of an ear at home it’s important to keep in mind that if the patient is in pain or the removal process does not go smoothly it is essential to see a doctor as soon as possible to prevent complications. Leaving a bug in your ear could result in continued stings or scratches, which could cause inflammation, infection, or a ruptured eardrum. 

Typically, a doctor will look inside the ear with an instrument called an otoscope. If they see the bug, they will usually try to kill it with mineral or olive oil before flushing it out of the ear with sterile water. They may try to grab it with a pair of tiny forceps if it is difficult to flush out. Sometimes the doctor will give the person some local anesthesia to keep them still and calm while the bug is removed.

How to prevent bugs from getting in your ears

There is no way to guarantee a bug won’t crawl in your ear, but there are a few steps you can take to reduce the risk of it happening.

  • Wear insect repellent when spending time outdoors
  • Wear earplugs when camping
  • Keep your home clean to reduce the likelihood of having insects indoors

Shop ScopeAround Otoscopes Today

If you are experiencing pain, buzzing, or other ear issues, one of the best ways to begin solving the problem is to look in your ear. It’s possible you might have an insect in ear. The best way to look in your ear is to use an otoscope and the best otoscopes for sale are compact digital ones like those made by ScopeAround.

ScopeAround brought the first digital otoscope with camera for consumers to the market over five years ago so we have more experience and customer feedback to make the best digital otoscopes available. We make a complete range of digital otoscope products including free-standing models to USB-connected, Lightning cable-connected, and WiFi-connected devices with an otoscope camera app for your mobile device. 

 

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