First Aid For
Ear Emergencies

First aid for ear emergencies is a little tricky. Under most circumstances you should never put anything in your ear smaller than your finger.

However, there are exceptions if you have a foreign object in the ear or a ruptured eardrum there are steps you can take before you see a doctor.

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Symptoms:

• Dizziness
• Pain in the ear
• Itching, swelling and redness
• Loss of hearing
• Clear fluid draining from the ear
• Earache
• Object visible in ear
• Bleeding from the ear

Treatment:

• If the object is visible gently remove the object using your fingers or tweezers
• If the object is not visible DO NOT stick your finger or tweezers in the ear this can push the object in further
• Turn the affected ear towards the ground gently shake the head to try and dislodge the object
• DO NOT hit the head to dislodge the object
• If you cannot dislodge the object by using the above method seek medical help

• DO NOT stick your finger in the ear. This could cause the insect to sting or bite
• Turn the head so the affected ear is facing up. See if the insect will crawl out
• You can use a little mineral or olive oil to try and suffocate the insect
• Gently drop in a few drops of oil pulling the earlobe backwards and downwards
• Check to see if the insect floats to the top
• If you cannot remove the insect by the above method seek medical attention

• These are extremely painful and there is little first aid you can administer
• Cover injured ear with sterile cotton
• Get to a hospital as soon as possible

• Cover the outside of the ear with sterile gauze
• Lay down with the infected ear towards the ground so it can drain
• DO NOT attempt to wash or clean the inside of the ear
• DO NOT block any drainage that may be coming out of the ear