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jenniepepsi · Aug 3, 2010, 07:11 AM

I didn't sleep well last night I kept waking up to ear pain. I woke up this morning and I SWEAR it felt and sounded like something moving in my ear! Creepy! And it hurt, and I can barely hear out of that ear. I figured it was a bug! I never had a bug in my ear before.

I know you aren't supposed to do this, but I used a QTip and inserted it into my ear. Hoping to at least see if it was just watery wax running down my ear canal. But sure enough pulled out a black ear wig.

My question is, my ear still hurts. I already have tinitis (due to meneres disease) but it is definitely worse in that ear now. Should I go to the doctor for this? And have him look at it? I saved the bug so he can see what it is and how big and all that if I do go to the doctor.

Thanks.

RickJ · Aug 3, 2010, 07:18 AM

Earwigs do not go into your ears. There's nothing in there that they would like.

Here's what an earwig looks like:

Is that what you are saying that you got out of your ear?

NeedKarma · Aug 3, 2010, 07:19 AM

The insect is named for an urban legend, earwigs do not actually enter ears.

It can certainly feel like something is moving in your ear when you have fluid in the middle ear (can be an infection). I would certainly see a doctor in this case.

RickJ · Aug 3, 2010, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by NeedKarma

The insect is named for an urban legend, earwigs do not actually enter ears.

I can certainly feel like something is moving in your ear when you have fluid in the middle ear (can be an infection). I would certainly see a doctor in this case.

Or try an over the counter drying agent. If you did indeed pull some sort of bug out of your ear, then show us a picture of it and we'll help you find out what it was.

jenniepepsi · Aug 3, 2010, 07:32 AM

Well that's not what I pulled out. Sorry I assumed it was an ear wig. Gimmie a sec ill take a picture.

RickJ · Aug 3, 2010, 07:36 AM

We're standing by for you :)

jenniepepsi · Aug 3, 2010, 07:40 AM

sorry this is a bad pic but it's the best I got.
It almost looks like an ant.

jenniepepsi · Aug 3, 2010, 07:41 AM

Ugh here is a link see if that will work

Picture0013.jpg picture by JenniPepsi - Photobucket

RickJ · Aug 3, 2010, 07:56 AM

I can't tell at all what that might be... but if it were me, I'd head into a CVS minute clinic (or local doctor or local urgent care) to show it to them and explain your symptoms.

If it were just moisture in the ear, I'd say use an over the counter treatment and see how it goes... but if you've actually pulled a critter out of your ear, I'd be heading to a professional asap.

... just my humble opinion. Hopefully you'll get other opinions before the day is out too.

jenniepepsi · Aug 3, 2010, 08:00 AM

I accually trust your opinions there rick lol. And the good news is, me and my daughter see a family practitioner, who just happens to run his office like an urgent care LOL. You can drop in any time, or make appointments. They open in an hour ill probably drop in when they open before I head off to work.

Thanks hon *hugs* I'm going to start googling pictures of 'bugs found in ears' in Arizona lol.

J_9 · Aug 3, 2010, 08:13 AM

I'm in complete agreement with Rick especially with your Meneres. Get to that doc pronto.

jenniepepsi · Aug 3, 2010, 08:32 AM

Thanks J. my doc opens in 30 mintues I'm going to go there when they open. *hugs*

J_9 · Aug 3, 2010, 08:34 AM

Let us know the outcome Jennie

jenniepepsi · Aug 3, 2010, 10:48 AM

So the doc checked me out. There were still pieces in my ear! *GAG* he cleaned those out and gave me drops cause my ear is really irritated and sore. It was a bug called a rove beetle. And they look a lot like ants. UGH. He said its very common for bugs to climb in ears on accedent and then they get stuck in wax and die. EEEEWWW

jenniepepsi · Aug 3, 2010, 10:48 AM

RickJ · Aug 3, 2010, 12:24 PM

Yuck! That thing looks nasty!

I'm glad you got to the Dr.

Sounds like just a funky situation that the bug found it's way into your ear.

See more about that nasty critter at these links:
rove beetle facts - Google Search

jenniepepsi · Aug 3, 2010, 12:35 PM

Yeah definitely creepy. The doctor said he has seen quite a few people who think they had 'ear wigs' in their ears, turn out to be these beetles or a type of ant. He thinks the one I had was a beetle. Yuck. Thanks for that link I'm going to go read cause now I'm interested lol. You sly man :P sneaking interesting facts to me :P

meriles · Aug 23, 2010, 12:10 AM

"Earwigs do not go into your ears. There's nothing in there that they would like..."? Please, this just happened hours ago to my 8 years old daughter! How you can say that they do not go into the ears!
We were going to our parking lot when my daughter started yelling for help, saying that a bug got into her ears. We didn't believe her first but she starting crying describing the noise inside and I realized it was a bug. So we took her beck home and put water inside the ear (while she was in total panic) and an earwig came out. It was an earwig. I sprayed a roach poison and killed it. And I examined the body carefully for at least one minute. It was an earwig. No doubts.