Ticks in the External Auditory Canal

• Published in: Hong Kong journal of emergency medicine Vol. 17; no. 2; pp. 190 - 192
• Main Authors: Dalgic, A, Kandogan, T, Kavak, H, Ari, A, Erkan, N, Ozuer, MZ
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-04-2010
• Subjects: Diseases; Ear canal; Ear, External; Hyalomma; insects; ticks; Ticks as carriers of disease; Hyalomma; insects; ticks; Ear canal
• ISSN: 1024-9079; 2309-5407
• DOI: 10.1177/102490791001700217

Ticks attack a wide range of vertebrates including humans, and are important vectors of numerous pathogens, e.g. virus, rickettsia, and protozoa. We present a case of ticks found in the external auditory canal. A 12- year-old girl presented to the emergency service with one-day history of right-sided earache. Otological examination found a tick blocking the external auditory canal. The tick was removed under local anaesthesia with a light microscope. After the tick was removed, another tick was detected in the external auditory canal. The second tick was not adhered to the ear canal skin and was mobile. It was also removed completely. The patient's post-procedure course was uneventful. A broad spectrum antibiotic, an analgesic, and an antihistamine were prescribed. Both ticks were sent to the infectious disease laboratory for investigation of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. They turned out to be Hyalomma species.