Can you ignore it if sand gets into your ear?
Sep 07, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Gang
Introduction
Whether or not to ignore sand in the ear depends on the amount of sand. If it's only a tiny grain and there is no hearing loss or bleeding from the ear, it can usually be left alone, as it will likely exit naturally with earwax. However, if there is a large amount of sand or if bleeding occurs, it should not be ignored, as it may lead to earwax impaction and hearing loss, or even cause a perforated eardrum and subsequent inflammation.
Whether or not to ignore sand in the ear depends on the amount of sand that has entered.
If only a small amount of sand has entered the ear and there is no hearing loss or bleeding, it can usually be left alone, as the sand will typically exit naturally along with earwax. However, if a large amount of sand has entered the ear or if bleeding occurs, it should not be ignored. Leaving it untreated may lead to cerumen impaction, resulting in hearing loss. In severe cases, it could damage the eardrum, causing perforation or even inflammation. Bleeding may indicate a scratch or injury to the ear canal, which could worsen if left untreated.
Sand in the ear can be managed by gently wiping the outer ear canal with a cotton swab moistened with normal saline, or cleaning the auricle with a cotton ball. However, if there is a significant amount of sand or any bleeding, prompt medical attention is recommended. A doctor should clean and treat the ear to avoid self-management, which might cause injury to the external auditory canal or eardrum.
