A bug in the ear..Help! - General Health Message Board

singer1 · 08-15-2005, 09:35 PM

I am wanting to know if my neighbor is in any health threat because she was complaining early in the day that her ear was itching like there was a bug in there but couldn't get anything out. Then later that evening, she came over and asked if this black thing looked like a bug. I looked at it and it looked like some kind of smashed bug but I didn't know what kind. Not that big but not that small either...just black. Anyway, she was worried because not only had the bug been in her ear drum all day, she was worried that there may be some sort of health threat since she smashed the guts of the bug in her ear. I told her that I didn't think there were many insects that could carry any deadly diseases to people, but, I'm not too sure about that.

Does anyone think there is a potential problem? Ido know it wasn't a mosquito or tick, but other than that, I have no idea. I am worried about her though because she feels stupid calling the doctor about this so, I told her that I would ask on the board here. Can anyone give some peace of mind? I did tell her to get a q-tip and drench it in hydrogen peroxide and clean her ear up inside. Thanks for all your help!!!!!

midwestmom · 08-16-2005, 12:05 AM

from what i've heard, if you have a bug in your ear, you'll know it. i've heard it's excruciating pain.

smithn · 08-16-2005, 02:21 AM

I don't think she'll have a problem with this. Tell her to pick up a small syringe and irrigate that ear with warm salt water. I'm sure she'll be fine.

countrygal · 08-16-2005, 10:42 AM

When i was young i got a bug in my ear, while night fishing. I knew as soon as it got in the canal. The loud, pounding sound like million bugs flying around in my head. I thought i was going crazy and when the bug bit me while trying to get it out. It was awful feeling and sound. I will never forget it. I did have problems with my ear for long time due to the bite and infection. But from my experience, if she had a bug in her ear, she would have known immediately without uncertainty. I ran all over the place trying to find relief and to get the gigantic monster out of my head.

singer1 · 08-16-2005, 02:59 PM

She said that she felt something in her ear and it made it itch but she couldn't get anything out of her ear, then she didn't feel that "crawling" around feeling later that day and she tried again only I think from what I understand, that's when she may have mashed it in her ear. Even then, still nothing came out. Then that night when picking at her ear again, it finally came out. The bug was for the most part in a whole, just flat. Had she known it was a bug for sure, I would have thought she would have been more persistent in trying to get it out but she just thought it was her long hair or something, so...by the way Countrygal, how did you know your ear was infected? What did you do for it? Was it serious? My friend just sort of freaked out but, I told her that it was probably nothing and that cleaning her ear out with a q-tip and peroxide was probably all she needed to do. I hope I gave her good advice!