It's a bit scary to suddenly see a drop of blood coming out of your ear, isn't it? Maybe you've woken up in the morning and noticed a spot of blood on your pillow. Even though you might think it's a big deal when you see it, most of the time it's not that serious. However, in some cases, it can be a sign of something that needs immediate attention. So today, let's talk about why your ears bleed, what are the different causes, and what we should do at that time.
First, let's understand a little about the structure of our ears.
To understand this properly, it's helpful to have a simple understanding of the parts of the ear. Our ear is divided into three main parts.
1. Outer Ear: This is the part we can see. This is where sound waves are collected and sent through the ear canal.
2. Middle Ear: This is where the eardrum is located. It is like a drum membrane. The eardrum separates the outer ear from the middle ear. The Eustachian tube here helps to balance the pressure inside the ear.
3. Inner Ear: This is where sound vibrations are converted into nerve signals that the brain can understand. It also helps maintain our body's balance.
Bleeding from the ear can come from any of these parts. Now let's look at the main causes.
Can ear infections cause bleeding?
Yes, this is the most common cause of bleeding from the ear. When the middle ear becomes infected with bacteria or viruses, it swells and fills with pus-like fluid behind the eardrum. When this pressure builds up, the eardrum can rupture slightly . A few drops of blood may come out along with the fluid.
If you have an ear infection, you may also have other symptoms like these.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Ear pain | A very sharp, sharp pain. |
| Hearing impairment | Hearing is slightly reduced as fluid fills the ear. |
| Fever | A body temperature of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit can occur. |
| Nasal congestion | The nose can also become stuffy, like with a cold. |
Most infections like this will clear up without treatment in a week or two. You can talk to your doctor about taking a painkiller for pain and fever. Sometimes your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics.
When should I see a doctor?
- If the pain is severe.
- If there is continuous fluid, pus, or blood draining from the ear.
- If you have a fever.
In a situation like this, definitely see your doctor.
If something gets stuck in your ear...
This is something that is especially common in homes with young children. Sometimes, a piece of cotton bud we use to clean our ears, or a small piece of a toy, can get stuck inside the ear. When that happens, it can injure the delicate skin of the ear and cause bleeding.
Other symptoms of this are ear pain and hearing loss.
Most importantly: Never insert a sharp object into your ear with the intention of removing a stuck object. This can push the object further in and cause serious damage to the eardrum.
If you can clearly see the object and can grab it with tweezers, try to carefully remove it. Or, tilt your head to the side and see if it falls out. If these methods don't work, be sure to seek medical advice.
Changes in air pressure (Barotrauma) and bleeding from the ear
When you're on a plane, especially when you're landing, or when you're scuba diving, you suddenly feel a pain or a tightness in your ear, right? This is caused by the difference between the outside air pressure and the pressure inside your ear. Doctors call this `Barotrauma`.
If this pressure difference becomes too severe, the eardrum can be damaged and bleed or leak fluid.
| Other symptoms of barotrauma | |
|---|---|
| Ear pain | Feeling like your ear is blocked |
| Dizziness | Hearing loss |
| Ringing in the ears | |
To prevent this during a flight, chewing gum, sniffing, or swallowing something can help. Or, pinching your nose and trying to blow air will cause your ears to pop.
Most of the time, this condition goes away after you get off the plane. But if it persists, see a doctor.
Torn Eardrum
The eardrum can burst for several of the reasons mentioned earlier.
- Ear infections
- Sudden pressure changes (flying, diving)
- Head injuries
- Something stuck in the ear
- Loud noise (like a loud explosion)
When the eardrum ruptures, a clear fluid, pus, or blood may come out of the ear. It can also be accompanied by a sudden, severe pain that may come and go quickly. Other symptoms include ringing in the ears, hearing loss, and vertigo.
Most of the time, these types of eardrum holes heal on their own within a few weeks. However, if they don't, your doctor may need to put a patch over the hole. You may also need to have surgery to take a small piece of your own skin and close the hole.
Most serious cause: Head injury
This is the thing we all need to pay the most attention to. If you have bleeding from your ear after a hard blow to the head, or after a head injury, it can be a very serious condition.
If you have bleeding from your ear after a head injury, it could be a sign of bleeding inside the brain. This is a medical emergency. You should go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately because there is a risk of brain damage.
The following symptoms may also be seen in a severe head injury like this:
| Warning signs of a severe head injury | |
|---|---|
| Loss of consciousness (for a few seconds or minutes) | Vomiting or nausea |
| Confusion, loss of consciousness | Excessive sleepiness or difficulty waking up from sleep |
| Difficulty speaking | Dizziness or loss of balance |
A very rare cause: Cancer of the ear
First of all, this is a very rare condition. So don't panic if you see blood coming from your ear. Ear cancer is very rare. Most of the time, it starts as skin cancer on the outer ear. If left untreated, it can spread inside the ear canal.
If the bleeding is due to cancer, it may also be accompanied by symptoms such as hearing loss, ear pain, and discharge. If you have a non-healing, scaly skin lesion in your outer ear, it is important to see a dermatologist.
Take-Home Message
- The most common cause of bleeding from the ear is a non-serious condition, such as an ear infection. Don't be unnecessarily alarmed by this.
- Never insert sharp objects into your ear to clean it or remove a blockage. This can damage the eardrum.
- Most importantly: If you have bleeding from your ear after a blow to the head, it is a medical emergency, as it could be a sign of internal bleeding in the brain. Go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- If you continue to experience ear bleeding, pain, discharge, or difficulty hearing, see your doctor without delay for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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