What to do when a bug or seed falls into your ear

Many citizens like to go out and get close to nature, running and playing in the forest... Sometimes, animals and plants inadvertently enter our ears.

The ear canal is curved, the external auditory canal is very narrow, animals and plants (such as insects, seeds) fall into the ear canal, improper operation or foreign objects stay in the ear canal for a long time may cause eardrum damage and lead to otitis media. In severe cases, it may cause eardrum perforation and affect hearing.

If you find an insect or seed in your ear, don't panic or scream. First check the type and location of the foreign object.

If you find a bug has fallen into your ear, go to a dark place immediately and shine a light source (such as a mobile phone or flashlight) into the ear hole. Let the bug crawl out of the ear canal along the light source. If the bug still stays in the ear canal, you can make the ear canal opening on the side where the bug has entered face up, and drip 3 to 5 drops of cooking oil into it. After a few minutes, the bug may be drowned. We can make the ear canal opening face down and hop a few times on the same side of the foot, which will help the dead bug flow out with the oil.

If it is a seed, you can also turn the ear canal opening on the affected ear downwards, pull the ear down, and hop on the same foot to let the seed fall out.

Do not use sharp objects such as tweezers or ear spoons, or use your fingers to remove foreign objects, as this may push the foreign objects deeper or damage the external auditory canal or eardrum. If foreign objects such as insects and seeds have left the ear canal but you still feel discomfort in your ears, it is recommended that you see a doctor as soon as possible.