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	Foreign Bodies
	Definition
	A foreign body is anything that gets stuck in the ear, ranging from bugs to seeds, pieces of plastic or paper, and even earplugs that cannot be removed.
	Cause
	Foreign bodies most commonly get stuck in the ears of young children who experiment with putting small objects in their ears or noses.
	Diagnosis
	The physician usually can see the object with the naked eye or, if deeper in the ear, with a lighted examining device.
	Treatment
	Removal is relatively easy with the right instrument, generally a special type of tiny forceps known as alligator forceps. Attempts to remove the object with the wrong instrument are difficult and even potentially dangerous.
	Prevention
	Teach children not to put foreign objects in their ears.
	Home Remedies and Alternative Therapies
	Attempts to remove a foreign object lodged in the ear by anyone other than an experienced physician using the appropriate instrument may drive the object farther into the ear. However, if an insect has become stuck in the ear (a particularly annoying occurrence) it is safe to try immobilizing it with drops of mineral oil until a physician can remove it.