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How can you care for yourself when you have an object in your ear?
- Your doctor may have used medicine to numb your ear. When it wears off, your ear pain may return. Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
- If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
- Your doctor may prescribe eardrops. To put in eardrops:
- First warm the drops by rolling the container in your hands or placing it in your armpit for a few minutes. Putting cold eardrops in your ear can cause ear pain and dizziness.
- Lie down, with your ear facing up.
- Place the prescribed amount of drops on the inside wall of the ear canal. Gently wiggle the outer ear to help the drops move down into the ear.
- It's important to keep the liquid in the ear canal for 3 to 5 minutes.
- You can put heat on the ear to relieve pain. Use a warm washcloth or a heating pad set on low.
- Do not put cotton swabs, bobby pins, or other objects in the ear. Do not put any liquids in the ear, unless your doctor directs you to.
Object in a child's ear: When to call
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has symptoms of an ear infection, such as:
- Pain, swelling, redness, heat, or tenderness around or behind the ear.
- Drainage from the ear.
- A fever.
- A headache with a stiff neck.
- Sudden hearing loss.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your child's symptoms become more severe or frequent.
- You or your child thinks that there is still an object in the ear.
- Your child does not get better in 2 to 4 days.
- Your child has any new symptoms, such as hearing loss or dizziness.
- Your child has bleeding or bloody drainage from the ear.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.