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in collaboration with
Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
In Rouen, a man experienced a distressing situation when he discovered that the discomfort felt in his ear was due to a very live spider having lodged itself there. Our medical director explains how to react in such a case (without giving in to panic!).
The nightmare of arachnophobes took place a few weeks ago in Rouen. A man discovered that a spider had lodged in his ear canal after several days of discomfort.
A buzzing sound that doesn’t stop
Last April, Christophe woke up at dawn, with “a strange feeling in the left ear” which persisted all day.
“I felt like scratching the inside of my ear. I could hear a noise, somewhere between buzzing and rubbing.”he says.
An unpleasant and painful sensation, which takes him to the doctor two days later. He then sees two legs.She started laughing, I didn’t find it funny, it was starting to freak me out. She wrote a letter to give to an ENT with the words: suspected spider in the ear”relates the “victim” of this intrusion into everyday life Paris-Normandy.
But appointments with the ENT being rare, Christophe decides to go to the emergency room to put an end to this abusive shared accommodation.
At the Rouen University Hospital, the team is surprised and has never seen this. On site, the doctors “first tried to remove it with pliers.” Unsuccessfully, they then tried to suck it out, before giving his ear a hydrogen peroxide bath. The spider eventually came out of his ear, leaving Christophe without any after-effects, but relieved.
What to do if you have an insect in your ear?
Are you afraid of experiencing such a situation? Our emergency physician and medical director, Dr. Gérald Kierzek, gives us the right steps to follow in the event of an unwanted insect: “Although this can be distressing, it is important to remain calm. Panic can make the situation worse.” he emphasizes.
Then, whether or not you are in a hurry to get rid of the intruder, do not try to remove the introduced insect yourself: “Avoid using objects such as pliers or Q-tipsas this could push the insect deeper into the ear and cause injury.”
Instead, try a gentle method: use warm soapy water. If the insect is alive, gently fill the ear with the liquid to kill it.This may help to make it come out easier.” says our expert.
Finally, if the insect does not come out or if you experience severe pain, bleeding, or tinnitus, it is crucial to consult a doctor or ENT specialist immediately.
How to protect yourself from an intrusion
Our expert reminds us that while having an insect nestled in your ear remains rare, the camping and bivouac season can expose you to this type of inconvenience. In this case, some precautions should be taken:
- Avoid sleeping on the floor: If you are camping or sleeping outdoors, use sleeping pads or mats to reduce the risk of insects entering your ears;
- Use protections: Consider using earplugs when sleeping in environments where insects are abundant,
- Maintain good hygiene: Make sure your ears are clean and dry, as insects can be attracted to moisture and debris.
- Use repellents: Apply insect repellents around sleeping areas and on clothing to keep insects away.
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