The story can frighten the most sensitive among us. A 64-year-old Taiwanese patient lived with a constant noise in her left ear for four days. She described constant flapping, clicking and rustling sounds. A noise pollution so intense that it completely deprived her of sleep. On the fourth day, she even woke up with the unpleasant sensation of feeling a creature moving in her ear. She finally went to the ENT department at Tainan Hospital, Taiwan.
An astonishing and rare discovery
This is where doctors made a stunning discovery, documented in the prestigious journal The New England Journal of Medicine.
A small spider with beady brown eyes, just over two millimeters long, was busily moving around in his external ear canal. But the most surprising thing is that the spider was apparently “well established”.
Indeed, doctors also found its shell, a sign of normal growth of the arachnid. The report does not specify the species of the spider. Nor even how it was able to get into the patient’s ear.
Why do insects get into our ears?
Although cases of spiders are rare, the intrusion of insects into the ear is a phenomenon which still represents approximately 14 to 18% of foreign bodies found by doctors in the external ear canal.
Dr. Tengchin Wang, ENT who took charge of the patient, also told CNBC having seen ants, moths or cockroaches, but never a molted spider.
According to specialists, these small animals are attracted to the heat and darkness of this place, which offers them ideal shelter.
Risks and good reflexes according to Dr Gérald Kierzek
Asked about this phenomenon, Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor, explains how the spider or insect manages to get in.
“A spider can enter the ear inadvertently, often at night while sleeping or while seeking heat/moisture in the external ear canal, without the person initially realizing it.“, he first specifies.
Once the spider has established itself, the symptoms can be varied. “Sensations include intense itching, tickling, ringing or rubbing/moving noises, pain, blocked ear, and sometimes discharge or bleeding” lists the doctor.
If the intrusion is not quickly dealt with, risks exist. “Inflammation of the ear canal, infection, or rarely rupture of the eardrum if the spider remains stuck for a long time” are possible. The patient may also experience temporary hearing loss due to the obstruction or irritation.
Dr. Kierzek, however, wants to be reassuring. “In rare cases, more serious complications such as nerve damage may occur, but this remains exceptional.”
Withdrawal: the suction solution and actions to avoid
In the case of the Taiwanese patient, the spider and its exoskeleton could be successfully removed using a fine suction cannula inserted through an otoscope. The authors of the report specify that if the insect had been larger, local anesthesia would have been necessary to kill it before its extraction in order to “avoid excessive movements and subsequent damage to ear structures“.
Dr. Kierzek emphasizes actions to avoid at home.
“Do not use cotton swabs, fingers or any other object to extract it, as this may aggravate the lesions or push it further.”. Instead, it recommends emergency action, while awaiting professional care. “Pour in mineral or olive oil (if you are not allergic to it), to help drown the spider and bring it out naturally, but only while waiting for help.
The essential reflex remains to consult quickly. “It is essential to go to the ENT emergency room or to your doctor without delay if symptoms persist. Only professionals use forceps, suction or an enema can extract it safely. Don’t do it alone” he insists again.
Once the intruder is removed, treatment is sometimes necessary. “Cleaning of the duct and prescription of antibiotics or anti-inflammatories are sometimes required in the event of infection or inflammation. adds Dr. Kierzek.
He then advises monitoring symptoms (pain, discharge), avoiding water in the ear and following strict hygiene for a few days. “Generally, there are no lasting after-effects if treatment is rapid.
he concludes.