Ear emergencies

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Ear anatomy	Eardrum repair - series	External and internal ear	First aid kit
Foreign object in ear	Foreign object removal	Ruptured eardrum

• DO NOT block any drainage coming from the ear.
• DO NOT try to clean or wash the inside of the ear.
• DO NOT attempt to remove the object by probing with a cotton swab, pin, or any other tool. To do so will risk pushing the object farther into the ear and damaging the middle ear.
• DO NOT reach inside the ear canal with tweezers.

The following symptoms, which may indicate significant trauma to the ear, should be evaluated by a physician:

• Pain in the ear
• Ringing sounds
• Dizziness (vertigo) 
• Hearing loss
• Drainage or blood from the ear
• Recent blow to your ear or head

Review Date: 02/12/2007
Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.