First Aid
 
Ear Emergencies

 

Important!
bulletCall 911 or your emergency number if:
bulletYou suspect a head injury. Then perform first aid for head injuries.
bulletBlood or other fluids are draining from the ear after trauma to the head. Then perform first aid for blood or fluid draining from the ear, as described here.

 

Symptoms
bulletEarache
bulletDifficulty hearing
bulletSwelling, redness of ear
bulletBleeding
bulletDizziness
bulletNausea or vomiting

 

Caution

Do you suspect a head, neck or back injury?

 

First Aid for Blood or Other Fluids From Inside the Ear

  1. Loosely cover the ear with a clean cloth, and tape the cloth in place. CAUTION: Do not try to stop the drainage. Do not try to clean the ear.

     

  2. Lay the victim flat on his back while you wait for emergency help.

 

First Aid for Foreign Objects in the Ear
  1. Shake the object out. Tilt the victim's head so that the affected ear is near the ground. Ask the victim to shake his head, or shake it for him. CAUTION: Do not hit the victim's head to try to free the object.

     

  2. Pick the object out. If the object does not fall out, look into the ear. If you can see the object and it is soft but is not a live insect, try to remove it with tweezers. CAUTION: Never poke at an object. Do not try to pick out a hard object such as a bean or a bead.

     

  3. If there is a live insect inside the ear, kill the insect by pouring a small amount of oil, vinegar or alcohol onto it. Then float the insect out with warm, not hot, oil.

    Illustration: Insect Removal

     

  4. If the object is hard or is securely lodged in the ear, take the victim to the nearest hospital.

 

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