The most common situations in which an insect can enter the ear are while sleeping. The inside of an ear canal is dark, warm and protected. There are many different kinds of bugs, flying bugs, crawling bugs, stinging bugs and non-stinging bugs. The experience of a crawling insect in the ear is terrifying and painful.
Use oil to suffocate the insect if it does not come out on its own. Use a tablespoon of baby oil or mineral oil at room temperature, and slowly pour into the affected ear canal to drown/suffocate the bug. Turn the head where the affected ear is in a down position to allow the oil, and hopefully the bug, to drain out of the canal together.
You may wash the ear canal out with warm water after you have extracted the bug from the ear.
If there is any sign of bleeding or blood as you clean the affected ear canal, it is advisable to see your ENT doctor for a thorough ear inspection to ensure that the canal has no lesions or irritations, in order to decrease the risks of infection.
Even if an insect appears to come out, get medical attention. Small insect parts can irritate the sensitive skin of the ear canal.
DO NOT let the person put a finger in the ear or cotton buds, since this may damage the ear drum.
