Seeing blood in or around your ear can be unsettling, especially when you’re not sure where it’s coming from or what it means. While ear bleeding isn’t always a medical emergency, it’s not something to ignore. Let’s examine why it happens and what to do next.
Minor Tears in the Ear Canal
A small tear in the ear canal can produce blood. There are a few things that can cause these tears:
- Using cotton swabs
- Scratching the inside of your ear with fingernails
- Getting something small stuck in the ear canal
The skin inside the ear is thin and delicate. Even light pressure can cause a scratch that bleeds a little. These minor injuries usually heal on their own, but if the bleeding keeps coming back or there’s pain or drainage, it’s smart to get checked out.
Ear Trauma
Any injury to the head or side of the face can result in bleeding. Trauma might come from a fall, a car accident or a sports injury.
If you’re also experiencing dizziness, confusion or ear drainage, you should seek immediate medical help. You can help avoid ear trauma by buckling your seatbelt, walking carefully and wearing a helmet during contact sports in Glenmere Park.
A Ruptured Eardrum
The eardrum is a thin membrane that helps you hear by vibrating when sound waves hit it. If it gets torn, blood may leak from the ear. You might also notice:
- Sudden sharp pain
- Hearing loss
- Ringing or buzzing in the ear (tinnitus)
Ruptures can happen from things like sudden pressure changes, loud noises or poking the ear with an object like a cotton swab. Some tears resolve themselves without help, but severe cases may need a medicated patch to promote faster healing.
Ear Infection
Ear infections can cause inflammation, fluid buildup and pressure behind the eardrum. In serious cases, this pressure can rupture the eardrum, causing bleeding. Signs of an infection include:
- Pain that doesn’t go away
- Yellow or bloody fluid coming from the ear
- Fever
- Trouble hearing
While many infections clear up on their own or with antibiotics, severe or frequently recurring cases may require ear tubes—thin implants that help drain fluid from the middle ear.
Schedule an ENT Checkup
If you’re dealing with ear bleeding, it’s wise to schedule an ENT checkup. Our specialists can identify the underlying cause of your breathing and get you started on the right treatment path.