first aid measures to eye and ear problems

1. Objects in the Eye
A speck of dirt or small object in the eye will often wash out with
your tears. If the object is not removed, it may scratch the
covering of the eye (cornea). Most corneal scratches are minor
and heal on their own in a day or two. If an object is thrown
forcefully into the eye, seek emergency care, especially if the
eye is punctured.

2. Home Treatment
1. Don’t rub the eye, because doing so could scratch the
cornea. You may have to restrain small children from
rubbing.
2. Do not try to remove an object that is on the pupil
or that is stuck in the white of the eye. Cover both
eyes and seek medical help.
3. Wash your hands before touching the eye.

3. 4. If the object is at the side of the eye or the lower lid, moisten a
cotton swab or the tip of a twisted piece of tissue and touch the
end to the speck. The object should cling to the swab or tissue.
Some minor irritation is common after you have removed the
object.
5. Gently wash the eye with cool water. An eyedropper helps.

4. 6. Never use tweezers, toothpicks, or other hard items to
remove any object. Eye damage may result.
7. Seek emergency care if the eyeball is punctured, the
object is embedded in the eye, if you cannot remove the
object and if vision id blurred.

5. Objects in the ears
Children sometimes put small objects in their ears, or
an insect may crawl into the ear. It may be hard to
know if an insect is in the ear. The child may say, “My
ear is bumping around.”

6. Home Treatment
1. Don’t try to kill an insect in the ear. Pull the ear up and back and
point it toward the sun or a bright light. Insects are attracted to light,
so the insect may crawl out.

7. 2. If the insect doesn’t crawl out, fill the ear canal with
mineral, olive, or baby oil. The insect may float out.
3. To remove other objects in the ear, tilt the
head to the side and shake it. Gently pulling
the ear up and back may straighten the ear
canal and help dislodge the object.

8. 4. If the object is soft and can be easily
seen, try carefully to remove it with
tweezers. Do not try this if the person will
not hold very still or if the object is in the
ear so far that you can’t see the tips of
the tweezers. Use care not to push the
object farther in.
5. Seek medical help if you cannot
remove the insect or object.

9. Ringing in the Ears
Persistent ringing in the ear is called tinnitus. Tinnitus
is usually caused by damage to the nerves in the
inner ear from prolonged exposure to loud noise.
Drinking excessive alcohol can also cause tinnitus.
Home Treatment
1. Limit or avoid exposure to loud noises, such as music, power tools,
gunshots, and industrial machinery.

10. 2. Eliminate caffeine, nicotine, and
alcohol.
3. Try to relax; stress and fatigue seem to make it worse.

11. 5. Limit your use of aspirin and products containing aspirin.