What’s this in my child’s ear?!

[Mummyto3derby]

Hi, so I’m freaking out! I was doing regular bath time and cleaning my son’s ears out and noticed this circle in his ear that looked like it was reflecting in the light!
not sure what to do!

How old is he? Can he tell you if he has out anything in there? Do you think he did it today or days ago?

I’m a paediatric nurse and if that’s a button battery it needs to come out NOW
i would go to a and e.

Your second photo makes it look slightly different to a little split ring, but my advice still applies.

And don’t use a hoover on your child’s ear: you could perforate the eardrum and worse. Also, don’t try and tweezer it out. If it’s a button battery and ruptures the acid will burn his ear.

Have you asked him if he shoved something in?

Yes, I agree with the majority.
It needs removing by a medical professional.
Both my dc's were absolute toads for inserting things into ears and nostrils 🙄

Could just be a big bit of ear wax

It looks pretty wedged in there OP! Has your DC been complaining of any pain etc? What a good job you spotted it (going to give my toddler a quick once over tomorrow!) Hope you can get it removed quickly!

This! I worked in A&E and honestly that’s it literally all they would do. People are worried it’s a battery that’s going to burst…?! Just pull it out!

Looks like a 5p piece

Does look like a button battery to me - get the tweezers out and someone to hold his head very still.

This. I sure as hell wouldn't wait until morning!

I’m glad I’m not the only one thinking this. Who are all the people thinking you can get coins and split rings in your ears?

If it’s not causing any pain then it doesn’t need A&E tonight. In our A&E we refer most kids with things stuck in their ears to next day ENT clinic because they have better instruments for removing them.

Minor Injuries or A&E in the morning will be fine and probably much less of a wait. He doesn’t need to be kept still and he will not need major surgery.

Please come back and tell us what it was, how you got it out and how old your son is. My granddaughter was a sensible four year old and poked a bead up her nose.

Echoing others above...take him to a&e. Don't wait till morning

That’s definitely worth a go with a tweezer. One attempt and if it won’t budge then call 111

When I was a kid I put small pebbles in my ear. I was about 8?
I don't know why - I was a strange kid... but my mum noticed them when cleaning my ears and took me to the doctor.

I got a referral to ENT (back when it was a week wait not months...) and they suctioned them out.

I remember them telling my mum I was VERY lucky as one was right by my ear drum. It did affect my hearing a little in that ear but could have been much worse.

I would definitely call 111. Especially not knowing what it is

Good luck OP

You need to read OP’s posts where she says they don’t keep button batteries in the house.

So shocked at the suggestion of paramedics 🫣
Old people wait 12 hours on the floor with a broken hip! The NHS doesn't have capacity for 'something in the ear requiring a paramedic'.
Kids stick things in weird places...wait till morning and go to minor injuries (and in the meantime fish it out with tweezers).

A&E tonight if possible.

I would bribe him with his favorite sweets to tell me or show me what he put in there.

How big do you think this kid’s ear is?

31mm diameter?! Unless OP's son is in fact an elephant I think we can safely say he's not managed to insert that into his ear canal.

Hope you get it sorted OP!