What to do - silicone ear plug stuck in ear.

[dinomirror]

Teen dd used a silicone ear plug but now its gone too far back for us to take out. I think its melted somewhat so its not just one solid piece. What should i do to take it out?

Minor injuries unit if there is one locally. A&E if not. There's a strong chance of making it worse if you try to sort it at home.

I didnt think this was an A&E job?

I’d say that removing foreign objects from places that you might injure yourself permanently if you do ityourself, falls within A&E for sure. Or preferably a minor injuries unit if you have one nearby.

Bloody hell of course it's an A&E job. Don't try and do this yourself and risk hearing loss!

If you're 100% sure that's what is it, and that it's nothing that can stab or swell, you can try to flush it out with water. That's what we were advised when the same thing happened. I'm sure someone will be along to say it's a terrible idea and your ears will fall off so try at your own risk.

At 16 should we go to kids or adult A&E?

It's absolutely an A&E job, particularly if it's potentially in several bits, as they'll be able to check they've got it all out. A&E staff see a huge amount of "foreign object in ear/nose/other orifice" patients and are adept at removing them

God if they'll let you, the kids section

Or go to audiology - boots, specsavers both have them

I had exactly this problem. Ended up with a referral to emergency ENT from A&E. 2 weeks of drops to try and loosen the earplug, which sadly didn't work. Had to have injection into my eardrum so that the consultant could peel the earplug off of my eardrum. Have never used earplugs since! Good luck.

How an earth did it melt??

Absolutely a&e as soon as you can. It could cause all sorts of damage and long term consequences for things like balance.

Def A&E - family member lost the end of their heading aid in their ear canal (it came apart) and couldn't reach it. Only took a few minutes in A&E to have it removed and the nurse was very reassuring that it was the right place to be.

It's a foreign object .. wedged within a delicate ear canal so yes it's A&E for removal before it causes damage or infection

They see it daily so won't be any surprise
Take snacks and a book

Well not melt per say but not 'together' ifywim

Thanks all, i think its pharmacy and most likely A&E from there

Sometimes these things need to be dealt with at an A&E with ENT team on site as it can need their delicate instruments and micro tools to completely clear ear canals of foreign bodies especially if they’re up against the ear drum and not a straightforward removal with plastic forceps: so, if going anywhere that’s not attached to a general hospital, make sure they have ENT on site or you could be referred elsewhere after waiting however long to be seen.

Why would you go to a pharmacy? They will just tell you to get medical attention.

A phone call to 111 will tell you if minor injuries or A and E will be most appropriate.

As a HcP who deals with this sort of thing it's 100% an A&E job, mainly because even though you know the object it's still classed as a foreign object. We wouldn't touch it in practice. The pharmacist won't do anything.

Why are you underplaying the seriousness of this? I'd be straight to a&e

This happened to me. OP please move quickly. I kept trying to get it out myself, shoving it further in in the process. Then the local docs nurse tried and failed. It started to really hurt. About 5 days in at this point, went to the hospital who tried but I was screaming in agony. So I had to have a general anesthetic to have it removed. It was horrible. I've never used a soft earplug since. I hope your dd is okay but please do get to hospital asap.

I think an audiologist might be able to help. My friend is one and she has a lot of stories about removing foreign objects from ears.

A moth once!

Gosh! Dd did try to get it out with a cotton bud(!) before coming to me but it's visible from an angle although its clear its logged in there

Absolutely go to A&E. The inside ENT doctors have the skills and tools to remove safely.

A&E. My colleague had this recently and had to have it removed in hospital. Don’t mess about with a pharmacy.

Do you have a minor injuries rather than a&e?
And skip the pharmacy......