There’s a Bug in My Ear! What Should I Do?

The very thought of getting a bug in your ear can be upsetting and, though it is usually not serious, it can be uncomfortable and even painful. 

Despite what some people think, getting a bug in your ear is a relatively common occurrence and can involve everything from flies, ticks, and ants to larger beetles and cockroaches that are often attracted to the warmth and scent of the ear.

The bug may enter and leave the ear on its own, die within the ear canal, or make a home there. Larger insects can even get stuck and cause harm to the ear canal and eardrum. This is why the timely and safe removal of an insect from your ear is so important.

This article provides step-by-step instructions on how to remove a bug from your ear. It also describes possible complications and when is time to call a healthcare provider. 

How to Tell if You Have a Bug in Your Ear

If you have a bug in your ear, you will likely experience symptoms right away. The tissues and nerves in the ear are very sensitive and can trigger symptoms that you can both hear and feel.

You are more likely to get a bug in your ear if you live in a rural setting, camp outdoors, or spend a lot of time outdoors. People who are bedbound are also at greater risk.

Possible signs and symptoms of a bug in your ear include:

• Itchiness or tickling sensations in the ear
• Scratching or buzzing noises
• Muffled sound in the affected ear
• A feeling that something is stuffed in your ear
• Ear discomfort or pain

How to Remove a Bug From Your Ear

In some cases, it may be possible for you to remove an insect from your ear at home. 

The first and most important rule is to never use a cotton swab or any other tool you can stick into the ear, such as tweezers or a paper clip. This may only push the insect further into the ear canal and damage the ear and eardrum. 

To remove a bug from your ear, try these steps:

1. Tilt your head to the side and gently shake. Do not hit your head to remove the bug. 
2. If the bug does not come out, try pouring a small amount of vegetable oil into the affected ear with an ear dropper. Then gently shake your head to see if the bug comes out on its own or with the flow of liquid. 
3. If the first two steps do not work, squirt a small amount of warm water into your ear with a bulb syringe you can purchase at your local drugstore. Tilt your head to the side and shake gently. Repeat if necessary.
4. If these steps do not work, see a healthcare provider. 

Possible Complications of a Bug in the Ear

In most cases, a bug entering your ear is harmless. However, if a bug enters and is not removed, it could quickly establish an infection.

Symptoms of a middle ear infection include:

• Ear pain with redness, swelling, and heat
• Hearing loss
• A feeling of fullness in the ear
• Fever
• Bloody or mucus-like drainage
• A foul smell from the ear
• Swollen lymph nodes behind the ear

A bug in your ear could also lead to a ruptured eardrum. This can occur if the bug bites or scratches the eardrum (tympanic membrane).

Symptoms of a perforated eardrum include:

• A sudden earache that quickly subsides
• Sudden hearing loss
• Fluid draining from the ear that may be clear or contain pus or blood
• Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
• Dizziness or spinning sensations (vertigo)

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Call your healthcare provider if you cannot remove an insect from your ear with the above-listed means. This includes when only a part of the insect has been removed or if you're not sure if there are other bugs in there.

Your healthcare provider can irrigate the ear canal or perform an extraction with lighted tools designed specifically for the ear.

You should also call your healthcare provider if you start experiencing new symptoms such as sudden ear pain, fluid drainage, high fever, or a foul smell coming from your ear. 

How to Prevent Getting Bugs in Your Ear

There is no way to guarantee that a bug will never fly or crawl into your ear. The best preventive strategy is to avoid insects wherever you can. Try sleeping with your windows closed to prevent bugs from flying into the bedroom. Keep your room clean to prevent bug infestations. 

When camping or spending time outdoors, use bug repellant and consider wearing a hat that covers your ears. When sleeping outdoors, seal your tent shut or wear earplugs (particularly if you are in an area with a high infestation of flying or crawling insects).

Summary 

A bug in your ear can be uncomfortable but usually does not lead to any serious complications. Symptoms include redness, itching, swelling, drainage, and pain. You may also hear scratchy noises or have moving sensations inside the ear.

To remove a bug from your ear, try tilting your head to the side and shaking gently. Pouring a small amount of vegetable oil or warm water into the ear canal may also help. If you are unable to remove the bug by these means, see a healthcare provider.