Treating Ear Injuries
by jmmillerNo matter how hard we try to protect them, our children always manage to find one way or another to get into something! Small objects such as nails, bobby pins, and insects are just the right size for Baby to insert into their ear canal.
If you can see the item lodged in your child’s ear, the manner in which you remove it depends on what they have actually managed to put in there. One rule remains the same: if you cannot easily remove the object, do not probe the inner ear. Doing so could push the object farther in, possibly damaging the eardrum. First, try turning your child on their side so that the affected ear is facing down. Lightly shake the head (very, very gently) to see if the object will come out on its own.
A metal object might be removed by using a magnet to draw it out. Insects can often be drawn out using a flashlight. Other than this, never use an instrument such as a pair of tweezers, or even your finger, to remove the object. You will need to take your child to the doctor or emergency room to have the object removed.
If the ear is bleeding from inside the ear canal, or your child has difficuly hearing, they may have already sustained an injury to the ear and should get medical help immediately.
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