A Martyr Dies in The Ear

That was an awry feeling. And it is leaving me in a big dizzy. The picture below describes the incident well, though it’s a lil exaggerated than what actually happened.

(It’s one Scary feeling, and it's NOT a Dream)

"A Martyr Dies in The Ear"

The Plot:

Dinner under electric lights, few insects and Me.

The Story:

Last night I, Ro, was having dinner around 8pm under the electric lights. As it’s Diwali time, lots of flying insects are all around. Everything was normal. Suddenly! Alas! I felt something entering into my ear. As I could make out, I knew it was one tiny insect entering inside my right ear. I don’t know what the breed is, but it was some sort of small lacewings (a.k.a. Lacy). I poked my ears with my finger for a while (the normal reaction one has in such situations). And it was NOT another dream.

A minute of jabbing and then there was silence & peace. I was relieved. It felt as if the cool breeze (out of fan) is flowing in the air and touching my ears with soft pleasant sounds, it felt musical.

4am today, I woke up feeling that someone is dancing on my ear drums. It was a hell of a feeling. I recalled it’s Lacy, she lost her way and got inside my ear last night. And see her bravery; she was silent for almost 8 hours, One true idol of Patience. But then she must have rested enough and wanted to come out, so she struggled her way out and in doing so she woke me up. I was worried. It was almost like having a monster inside. I tilted my head to the right and shook hard. She got feared of her life. She started to move even faster. I could feel each and every millimeter she was walking inside my ear.

By 4:10 I had tried enough. I immediately thought of calling one Doctor friend of mine, but she is out of India these days. She is my all time physician, first hand. Didn’t want to call my home and cause panic so resisted that too. I took a deep breath. Took another. The insect moved faster. Staying alone away from family leaves you in such situations where you are clueless. I was one such. But being an IT professional saves you...I Googled. (do not laugh, because she is a darling which is 24*7 for me and she saves me aplenty).

15-20 mins of reading; at the same time trying to drill the ear with ear bud; and at the same time wishing & praying that nothing goes wrong. Lots of thought hit my mind in such a small time. I felt like an airplane is running inside my ear. I was calm. I remember from the old days when I was with family that whenever there is trouble with your ear, you drop some Mustard oil and in a while you will be relieved. That works 100%. But being alone, not cooking at your place, even that option was void for me. Nothing left, I tried something else what Google suggested. I got some lukewarm water, fed it to my ears with a spoon. 1, 2, 3 spoons of water and then I decided to stop. The dance stopped too but I could not sleep again.

She died. I felt sorry for her. Because it wasn’t her mistake. But then that’s life, a bug’s life. We both suffered for some time. And I being the stronger breed came out alive but not her. God bless her soul.

The misery isn’t over yet! She is still lying dead inside my ears. And that’s bad for both. Her, who can’t be cremated and me who is fearful of an infection. And then there is my mind, which is feared the most. It was Anny twice and now it’s Lacy. Why are bugs behind me?

I being the software developer ‘plant’ bugs in the software I make, like all other coders do, unintentionally. And yes our bugs give nightmares too. But then we fix (read kill) them asap. So, is it that the bugs are taking revenge? Or are they normal; it's just we who come in their way everynow and then. Phew! Whatever it may be, I think I am already suffering Entomophobia.

(A person suffering Entomophobia)

Now, when I have got myself some ear drops and some mustard oil. I can hope for a relief. Before writing this post I just poured few drops of the latter (I trust the old age home therapy in this case). Hoping that by the time I finish this post I can try to dig my ears once more softly and take out the weaker victim. Then some warm water therapy, if needed. Else it will be time for SOS for me.

(Home Therapy for ear troubles)

Suggestions for those who suffer insects in ears (god forbids):

• Do Not poke your ears with any objects, not even ear buds as it can cause the insect to push deeper making it even harder to come out (and survive too). It can even cause damage to middle ear or eardrums. Remember, your ears are one very very sensitive part of body.


• Tilt your head to the side and gently shake, Do Not hit.


• If you feel the insect is alive and doesn’t come out by shaking, pour a small amount of vegetable oil (few suggest paraffin oil too, not sure). This will suffocate the insect to cause death (one warrior goes martyr).


• If you feel that the insect is dead, pour a small amount of warm water to flush it out.


• Still If nothing helps, it’s time for SOS. Contact your physician, preferably an ENT specialist, immediately.

(Poking can be really harmful. Do NOT.)

I know I know you want to yell at me, “Go to an ENT now!” But, that’s another part of story :)

(The ENT specialist…jokes apart, DO Consult them when needed)

Wishing you insects free days & nights.

But Picture abhi baki hai mere dost (the movie isn't over yet!). Read what happened next at: A Martyr Dies in The Ear - The Epilogue