Insecticidal Activity of Common Reagents for Insect Foreign Bodies of the Ear

Abstract

Many commonly available reagents may be used to kill or immobilize insect foreign bodies of the ear.

Presentation and management of aural foreign bodies in two Australian emergency departments

“…(USA) similarly report beads and insects, particularly cockroaches, to be the commonest foreign bodies in the external auditory canal from 273 combined paediatric and adult patients. 12 Our experience was different from these series. We found the majority of foreign bodies in adult patients to be the cotton wool tips of cotton buds.…”

Moving insects on tympanic membrane

“…Cockroaches were the most commonly specified insect foreign bodies (78%). In nearly 38% of insect foreign body cases, the offending organism was not specified [3].…”

“…The best solution from Leffler et al is microscope immersion oil (mineral oil) [4], with similar effect from olive oil or baby oil. Ticks are exception and resistant to various solutions [3]. Using lidocaine can occasionally lead to serious vertigo which require admissions [5].…”

Unusual Presentation of an Aural Foreign Body in an Adult

“…In available studies on adult aural foreign body, the object is mostly cotton wool of cotton buds, flying insects or silicone ear plugs 2 . In some studies, cockroaches have been found as a common foreign body both in adults and children 3 .…”