Emergency treatment of ear injury accidents

1. Foreign Bodies in the External Auditory Canal The most common foreign bodies found in the external ear canal include water, small insects, beans, marbles, and earplugs. If you encounter such situations, here are some self-help techniques: 1. If there is a significant amount of water in the ear, you can cup both hands over the ear and quickly tilt your head to the side, using centrifugal force to help drain the water out. Alternatively, stand with one foot on the ground, lean forward slightly, and jump gently to shake the water out. 2. For a small amount of water remaining in the ear, you can try applying a few drops of rubbing alcohol or a mixture of alcohol and vinegar, which helps evaporate the moisture. 3. If an insect enters the ear, especially while working outdoors, shine a light into the outer ear to encourage the insect to crawl out. You can also gently blow smoke into the ear to drive it out. 4. If a non-living object falls into the ear naturally, you can tilt the affected ear downward to let the object fall out. 5. Avoid using tweezers for round, smooth, or hard objects, as this could push them further into the ear canal. 6. If none of these methods work, seek medical attention immediately to avoid complications.

2. Ruptured Eardrum A ruptured eardrum occurs when the eardrum is torn due to a direct impact or sudden changes in air pressure (such as from a loud noise or rapid ascent/descent). Symptoms may include severe ear pain, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, and sometimes a small amount of blood or fluid draining from the ear. The main first aid principle is to keep the ear dry and prevent infection. Here’s what you should do: 1. Gently clean the ear canal with an alcohol swab, then place a sterile dry cotton ball at the entrance of the ear canal to protect it. Be careful not to push it too deep. 2. Do not attempt to irrigate the ear or wash it, as this could introduce bacteria into the middle ear. 3. Avoid blowing your nose forcefully, as this can cause bacteria to travel through the Eustachian tube and reach the middle ear. You may use nasal decongestants like ephedrine to keep the nasal passages open. 4. Take oral antibiotics as prescribed to prevent infection. 5. If there is bleeding or fluid discharge from the ear canal, be cautious—this could indicate a more serious head injury. Seek immediate medical attention.

3. Ear Trauma Ear injuries can range from minor wounds to severe trauma involving fractures or damage to the ear structure. In cases of serious injury, it may be associated with brain trauma, which requires urgent care. 1. For minor wounds, cover the area with sterile gauze or a clean cloth and seek medical help promptly. 2. In severe cases, such as extensive fractures or major damage, the injury might be accompanied by head trauma. At this point, craniocerebral injury becomes the primary concern, so immediate hospitalization is crucial. 3. Always protect the ear if injured. Properly bandage the wound, and if part of the ear is completely torn off, collect it carefully and bring it along with the injured person to the hospital for possible reattachment.

China Labor Insurance Network