Causes of bleeding ears and how to fix them

Bleeding in the ear can occur due to several ear disorders. Even bleeding ears can be a sign of an emergency situation. If this happens, get your ear checked by a doctor to determine the cause and get the right treatment. To find out what causes bleeding ears and how to fix them, consider the following reviews.

What causes bleeding ears?

Generally, bleeding ears often occur due to injury. Especially when cleaning dirt and causing scratches. In addition, there are several other things that cause ear bleeding, for example the following five things.

1. Ear infection

Ear infections can occur more frequently in children than adults. Infection that occurs in the middle and outside can cause the ear to bleed. Here are the symptoms that cover it:

• Fever
• Headache
• Red ears
• Swollen ears
• Ear pain
• Hard to sleep
• The balance is disturbed because of the pressure on the ears
• Hearing impaired
• Pain in the neck

2. Enter a foreign object

Small objects such as insects can enter the ear. Initially it will cause discomfort in the ear and eventually can make the ear bleed. If the foreign object does not come out, it can cause an ear infection. Some of the symptoms that appear are as follows:

• Ear pain
• There is pressure on the ear
• The ears secrete fluid
• Hearing impaired
• Dizzy

3. Barotrauma

The occurrence of a sudden change in altitude can cause barotrauma (trauma caused by a high enough difference in air pressure), especially in diving and flying activities, and also such as parachuting. This can cause bleeding due to rupturing of the eardrum. Symptoms that appear include:

• Ear pain
• Dizzy
• Ringing in ears
• There is pressure in the ear
• Hearing impaired

4. The eardrum burst

The eardrum ruptures caused by tearing of the thin membrane that separates the middle ear from the outer ear. This can happen without realizing it, but eventually there will be pain and bleeding ears. Other symptoms that appear include:

• Ringing in ears
• Ears feel full
• There is a spinning sensation, such as vertigo, which eventually causes nausea and vomiting
• Hearing impaired and feels uncomfortable

5. Ear canal cancer

Five percent of cases of ear canal cancer occur due to skin cancer that occurs in the outer ear. People who have been chronically infected for 10 years or more have a higher risk of ear canal cancer.

If a person has middle or inner ear cancer, the following symptoms appear:

• Hearing impaired
• Ear pain
• Swelling of the lymph nodes
• Ringing in ears
• Headache
• Facial paralysis
• Vision becomes blurry

How to treat bleeding ears?

Bleeding in the ear, if it occurs in a superficial part, for example due to scratches when cleaning the wax, can be treated by yourself. However, if bleeding occurs without an obvious cause, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Not all bleeding ears can be treated the same way. Treatment must be adjusted according to the cause of the bleeding. Here is a treatment for ear bleeding that is usually done.

• Antibiotics can treat and clear up some bacterial infections. However, not all ear infections will respond to antibiotics. Viral infections will not respond to antibiotic therapy.
• Painkillers can reduce discomfort and painful sensations from ear infections, damage, or pressure problems.

How do you get first aid for bleeding ears?

Quoted from the U.S National Library of Medicine, the following first aid for treating ear bleeding according to the cause:

1. The ear has entered a foreign object

First of all, don't panic and stay calm if someone experiences bleeding ears as a result of the entry of a foreign object. Then, you can take the steps below to help:

• If the foreign object sticks out of the ear and is easily removed, gently remove it by hand or tweezers. Then, seek medical help to make sure the object has been removed completely.
• If a foreign object is stuck in the ear but you can see it from the outside, do not reach the inside of the ear canal with tweezers.
• Tilt your head to get the object out, but don't hit your head or the person you're helping.
• If the foreign object cannot be removed, contact medical personnel immediately.

2. Ears entered by insects

Don't let people put their fingers in the ears where insects have entered. This can cause the insect to sting. Here are the steps to help people with the condition:

• Turn the head of the person you are helping so that the ear that the insect entered is facing upwards. Then wait for the insects to crawl out or fly away.
• If that doesn't work, try pouring mineral oil, olive oil, or baby oil into the ears. This method can suffocate the insect and you can remove it.
• Even if the insect has left the ear, still seek medical attention to avoid irritation caused by the insect.

3. The eardrum burst

People who experience this condition will feel severe pain. To help him, you can do the steps below:

• Place a sterile cotton swab gently on the outer ear canal to keep the inside of the ear clean.
• Get medical help.
• Do not put any fluid in the ear.

4. The wound outside the ear

Press the wound until the ear stops bleeding. Apart from that, you can do the steps below:

• Cover the injury with a sterile dressing that is shaped to the shape of the ear and securely attaching it loosely.
• Apply a cold compress over the bandage to reduce pain and swelling.
• If any part of the ear is cut off, do not do anything to the wound and seek medical help immediately.
• While waiting, place the cut part on a clean cloth and keep it on an ice cube.

5. Fluid from inside the ear

If fluid or blood comes out of the ear, cover the outside of the ear with a sterile bandage that is shaped to the shape of the ear and stick it loosely.

• You or the person you are helping can lie on your side, so that the bleeding ear is facing downwards.
• Do not move people you are helping if they have a neck or back injury.
• Seek medical help immediately.