Discovering a bug in your ear canal can be an unsettling experience. While relatively uncommon, insects can crawl or fly into the ear, especially when outdoors or asleep. This situation often prompts immediate concern and a desire to understand what is happening and how to address it.
The Immediate Sensations
When an insect enters the ear, the initial sensations can vary depending on the bug’s size, type, and activity level. Many people first feel a tickling or crawling sensation as the insect moves within the ear canal. This can be an itchy or twitching feeling.
As the bug attempts to navigate or escape, its movements can produce various auditory sensations. You might hear a buzzing, scratching, or fluttering noise, especially if the insect is alive and moving its wings or legs against the eardrum or ear canal walls. The ear canal and eardrum are rich in nerves, so any irritation or injury can be disruptive.
If the bug is larger, struggles, or bites or stings, it can lead to sharper sensations like pain or discomfort. Some people experience a feeling of pressure or fullness in the affected ear, as if something is obstructing the canal. This obstruction can also cause muffled hearing or temporary hearing loss.
What to Do Right Away
Maintaining calmness is important when a bug enters the ear. You can attempt to remove the bug safely at home with a few simple steps.
One method is to tilt your head to the side, with the affected ear facing upwards. Gently shake your head to encourage the bug to fall out or crawl towards light.
If the bug is still alive and does not exit, try suffocating it by carefully pouring a small amount of mineral, olive, or baby oil into the ear canal. Use warm, not hot, oil. Once dead, you can flush it out with warm water. A bulb syringe, like those found in earwax removal kits, can assist in flushing it out.
Avoid actions that can worsen the situation. Never use cotton swabs, fingers, tweezers, or any other objects to remove the bug. Doing so can push the insect further into the ear canal, potentially damaging the eardrum or middle ear. Do not hit your head or ear to dislodge the bug.
When Professional Help is Needed
Professional help is needed if self-removal attempts are unsuccessful. If you cannot remove the bug at home after a few attempts, or if only pieces of the insect come out, seek professional help. Leaving a dead bug in the ear can cause irritation or inflammation.
Persistent pain, discomfort, redness, or swelling after the bug is gone indicates a need for medical evaluation. Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect a perforated eardrum, indicated by severe pain, fluid discharge (clear, bloody, or pus-like), or sudden hearing loss. In such cases, do not put liquids into the ear.
Other symptoms like dizziness, balance issues, or continued muffled hearing also warrant a doctor’s visit. A doctor can safely remove the bug using specialized tools like an otoscope to visualize the ear canal, instruments like forceps or suction, or by flushing the ear.