User:Mr. Ibrahem/Ear foreign body

Ear foreign body is a foreign body in the external ear canal. Symptoms may vary from none to pain and discharge from the ear. Hearing may be decreased. Complications may include bleeding or skin breakdown.

Objects found in the ear may include beads, cotton swabs, paper, sand, insects, and button batteries. Foreign bodies usually become stuck at the narrowing between the cartilage of the pinna of the ear and the bones of the skull. Diagnosis is generally by examination of the ear with an otoscope.

Warmed 1 to 2% lidocaine liquid may be placed in the ear to help numb it before attempted removal. Procedural sedation may also be used to facilitate the procedure. A number of techniques may be used for the removal itself including suction, irrigation, and forceps. Antibiotic ear drops may be used if their are signs of skin breakdown. Complications of attempted removal may include eardrum perforation.

Ear foreign bodies occur relatively commonly. They occur most often in children and are the most common type of foreign body in this age group. Descriptions of ear foreign bodies are found in Ancient literature, including the writing of Hippocrates around 400 BC.