Foregin objects in ears

DS (4 years) is complaining about a sore ear. In particular he keeps telling me that there is a spider in his ear.

He was playing outside earlier and came in crying about it. For DS all bugs are spiders at the moment. I've had a look twice now and I cant see anything however he wont be soothed by my telling him that I cant see anything in there and keeps saying that there is something in there.

What do I do? We wont get into any GP's today now, and the wait at the hospital could end up in hours, and I dont know that there is anything in there, but granted I cant see to the end. Its not swollen on the outside and otherwise looks normal.

Is there anything I can do/try at home to encourage whatever might be in there out? Ive tried having him lay on that side of his head in the hope if there is anything it will drop out, but alas, nothing.

He isnt majorly distressed by it but he certainly isnt happy about it either, distraction isnt working so Im guessing that means there probably is something in there??

Help welcome!!

The poor little tike! I would have suggested the dr or hospital first off, or I would ring the Nurse on call (1300 60 60 24) and talk to them about it. I have found them to be very useful, although do be prepared for the question at the end; "What would you have done if you didn't call us?" (they always seem to ask it).

I am sorry, other than that, I don't know what to do. Good luck, hope its nothing.

Well we got into the after hours clinic at the GP and after trying to console the poor possum for an hour the Dr had a look. She couldnt even touch it without him flinching. Then she looked into it and he screamed and screamed in pain. This is a child used to multiple ear infections, used to having his ears checked and he has never ever reacted like that. She tried a few times but he was just too distressed for her to see down to the ear drum. She did say it looked very red and inflammed and irritated. But said just give him panadol for the discomfort and if it is a bug it will eventually crawl out or die in there both of which they will do nothing for, otherwise we can put olive oil in there and it will kill the bug (if there is one) and it will float to the surface. That I shouldnt bother to go to the hospital as this is all they would do anyway. She didnt seem convinced there was a bug and said that DS was just scared. But she didnt bother to offer any other alternate explanation for the ear being the way it was or his screaming about it.

After two hours solid screaming I did try the oil, it did nothing for him and he still screamed with neurofen. He fell asleep upset and is now stirring saying ow ow ow. His ear is very red and hot. :( Thankfully we have an appointment for a different matter tomorrow with a different Dr, so if we can make it through the night I will get a second opinion, because he just isnt right.

Oh goodness, yes the poor lil possum!! Anything to do with the ear is so sensitive!

I can tell you that I have had a spider in my ear for 3 days and it was horrible. I kept thinking my ear was about to explode or something, but it was the spider moving and as it was right on my ear drum every lil move the spider did made a huge crunching sound.
I had the spider syringed out with water.

Hopefully the lil fella has a good nights rest if possible and you find out what is upsetting him and his ear tomorrow!

Could he have been bitten by a spider in his ear?
Poor chook :(

Oh, that wasn't a very good outcome from the dr visit! I hope the night goes okay, sounds like some co-sleeping cuddles all night coming up. I really hope that tomorrow's dr apt is more fruitful. :hug: