Ear discharges--bleeding

• Swimmer's ear
  • usually accompanied by itching , scaling , a red or moist ear canal and pain increased by moving the ear lobe

• inflammation or infection
  • otitis externa
  • otitis media
  • otitis externa; chronic
  • otitis externa; malignant
  • mastoiditis ,
  • otitis media; chronic

• injury from a blow to the head, foreign object, very loud noises, or sudden pressure changes such as in airplanes; resulting in a ruptured or perforated eardrum
• eczema or some other skin irritation in the ear canal which can cause some bleeding

Note: This list is not all inclusive and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The list of all possible causes can be extensive and include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the list will vary based on the age and gender of the individual as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom, such as quality, timing, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for this symptom occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:
To be safe, never put anything in the ear smaller than the tip of your little finger.

Treat inflammation or infection as advised by your health care provider. Often, local treatment with ear drops is recommended.

A gentle, warm water flush using a syringe (available at the drug store) can be helpful to remove packed-down ear wax . Do not attempt to remove impacted ear wax in very young children. If impacted, blackened ear wax can be easily seen and retrieved in older children, do so carefully; NEVER use sharp objects to attempt to remove wax.

Seek medical help for injury from a foreign object, noises or pressure changes, head injury , or a suspected clotting or bleeding problem.

For swimmer's ear (unless the eardrum is perforated):

• tilt the head sideways, with the water-filled ear up.
• pull the ear upward and backward.
• carefully squeeze into the ear a medicine-dropper full of rubbing alcohol, or a mix of half rubbing alcohol and half white vinegar. This mixture will dry out the ear, and kill any bacteria or fungus.
• wiggle the ear to move the solution all the way down.
• then, retilt the head so that the affected ear is now down, and let the fluids drain out.

Note: Putting a little mineral oil or baby oil in each ear before swimming may help prevent the problem.

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

• the discharge is white, yellow, or bloody or if the discharge is the result of an injury.
• the ear discharge has lasted more than 5 days.
• there is severe pain or if the discharge is associated with other symptoms such as fever or headache .

What to Expect:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting ear drainage in detail may include:

• time pattern
  • When did it begin?
  • How long has the ear been draining?
  • Does it drain all the time or off-and-on?

• quality
  • Is the drainage clear?
  • Is the drainage bloody?
  • Does the drainage look like pus?

• other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
  • Is there a fever ?
  • Is there an earache ?
  • Is there a headache ?

The physical examination will include a detailed examination of the ears. Diagnostic tests that may be performed include a culture (and cytology or cell studies) testing of drainage.

Intervention:
Corticosteroid and antibiotic preparations that are placed in the ear canal may be prescribed. Oral antibiotics will usually be given if a ruptured eardrum is causing the discharge.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to ear drainage, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.


This is an illustration of the external, middle, and inner ear. The detailed section is of the eardrum and the three tiny bones that conduct sound from the drum to the cochlea.