The patient's ear canal was irritated and slightly swollen. Doctor Nguyen Thi Huong of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Center, numbed the insect with a spray before removing it with specialized endoscopic tools. She then cleaned the patient's ear to prevent infection and prescribed anti-inflammatory medication.

"I was very surprised to find an insect living in my ear. I just thought I had an ear infection or fungus for the past week," the patient said. Doctor Huong noted that Ly was fortunate because the insect was small and, despite living in her ear for several days, hadn't damaged her eardrum.

When insects enter the ear, they can secrete substances that irritate the ear canal lining and introduce bacteria that can easily lead to infection. Live insects often struggle and wriggle, causing pain and crackling sounds. They may also bite, leading to bleeding, swelling, scratches in the ear canal, eardrum perforation, and infection. If a dead insect remains in the ear and isn't removed properly, it can decompose and become a source of bacteria, causing outer ear infections, middle ear infections, or mastoiditis.

If an insect enters your ear, lie down with the affected ear facing up. Fill the ear with warm saline solution to encourage the insect to exit or drown. Afterwards, visit a hospital to have a doctor remove the insect and clean the ear to prevent infection. Use prescribed ear drops regularly to prevent inflammation.

If you experience severe ear pain, seek immediate medical attention. Avoid using your fingers or other objects to poke the ear, as this can agitate the insect and cause it to move deeper, potentially damaging the eardrum. Do not use folk remedies like leaf warming or ear steaming.

Doctor Huong recommends sleeping in a cool, well-ventilated area and using soft earplugs for protection while sleeping. Regularly clean your bedroom, paying attention to areas under the bed, corners, and other places where insects might hide.

Uyen Trinh