When cleaning your ears or after an injury, blood may appear from the ear. Which main reason this condition, how to provide first aid and what the treatment is - read the article.
Structure auricleThe shells of the ears, which we see externally, are only small part organ. It only directs sounds inward to the auditory receptors.
The entire ear consists of:
- Outdoor- sink;
- Average– tympanic cavity and membrane;
- Internal– labyrinth.
Bleeding may occur if there is a disease in the middle or outer parts of the ears. The source of bleeding becomes a damaged vessel.
Vessel rupture can occur for many reasons:
- Inflammation of the outer ear;
- Inflammation of the middle ear;
- Traumatic brain injury;
- Injury by a foreign object;
- Gap eardrum;
- Tumors and polyps.
Inflammation of the outer ear
The ear canal and concha, which make up the outer part of the ear, can become inflamed. Most often, such otitis is represented by a boil - inflammation of the skin of the ear canal.. The boil is caused by pathogenic streptococcus or staphylococcus.
In addition to a small amount of blood, the person complains of:
- Pain in the ear when chewing, when pressing on the shell;
- Redness and swelling of the area of inflammation.
Why there's blood coming out with a boil? Droplets of blood are released when the inflamed formation is opened. The blood is dark and mixed with pus. Such otitis externa usually ends well, healing without hearing loss.
Inflammation of the middle ear
Infection tympanic cavity and membranes is called otitis media. Almost all cases of otitis media are a consequence of infection of the nose and oropharynx. The reason for this is the direct connection of the tympanic cavity with the nasopharynx through the auditory tube.
Streptococcal or staphylococcal infection enter the tympanic cavity and cause otitis media. A large amount of inflammatory fluid – exudate – forms in the cavity. Under the pressure of the liquid on the membrane, the latter may burst. Perforation of the membrane occurs. At this moment, blood mixed with pus is released from the ear.
Additional symptoms will help you understand that bleeding from the ear occurred precisely because of otitis media:
- Pain in the ear – shooting, sharp;
- Hearing loss;
- Feeling of “rustling” and others unpleasant sounds in the ear;
- Increased body temperature, weakness.
Traumatic brain injury
It is extremely rare that with a strong blow to the head, blood may appear from the ear. It is usually a thin stream flowing from one or both ears. This is a terrible symptom, meaning a fracture of the skull bones. Most often we are talking about a fracture of the base of the skull.
This is a serious injury that poses a direct threat to human life.
The following symptoms appear along with blood from the ears:
- Loss of consciousness;
- Constant vomiting;
- Convulsions;
- Loss of vision, hearing.
Foreign object injury
Otorhinolaryngologists say there is no need to clean the ear canal every day. The ear is a self-cleaning organ. The movement of earwax and hair inside leads to a constant and gradual removal of any debris from the passage. Therefore, only the very edges of the ear are cleaned.
But many people try to clean their ears as deep as possible using inappropriate objects:
- Needles;
- Knitting needles;
- Cosmetic cotton swabs;
- Matches;
- Writing materials.
None of these things are designed to clean your ears. When using them, you can easily injure both the ear canal and the eardrum. At the time of injury, a person may feel acute pain and discomfort, and blood will appear from the injured ear.. If the membrane is damaged, hearing in one of the ears will sharply decrease.
Using items that are not suitable for cleaning your ears can lead to hearing loss and complications. Therefore, only ear cleaning sticks that are specially suitable for this purpose are used.
They are quite thick and are designed to clean only the auricle and vestibule of the auditory canal. Their use is safe for the ears and hearing.
Children often place a foreign object in their ear during play - pens, pencils, sticks. This easily leads to damage to the ear canal. Children need to be explained the dangers of these actions or keep such objects out of reach of the baby.
Rupture of the eardrum
Sharp, loud sounds and blows to the ear can damage the eardrum. In this case, the ears bleed slightly and often both. A similar rupture of the eardrum sometimes occurs with sudden changes atmospheric pressure. This is possible when suddenly diving under water or rising from the bottom.
In order to avoid such cases, you should follow the rules of behavior under water. Avoid sudden ascents and dives. It is not advisable to be exposed to loud sounds that can damage your hearing. Hitting the ear is possible during children's games, so the harm of such actions is explained to children.
Tumors and polyps
A number of malignant and benign tumors may form in the ear canal area. A small polyp causes itching and discomfort. It can be easily damaged during ear cleaning, causing slight bleeding from one ear.
Tumors, growing into the wall of the ear canal, destroy blood vessels. Bleeding from such a tumor can be quite severe. It can occur either spontaneously or during ear cleaning.
First aid
The appearance of blood from the ear should always alert you. Even if it is just a few drops and the bleeding is not accompanied by discomfort, the first thing you should do is visit an ENT doctor. An ear can bleed for a number of reasons, but only a doctor can make a specific diagnosis after an examination.
As first aid if blood appears in the ear when cleaning cotton swab You should treat the edges of the ear to remove residual blood and consult a doctor. Do not rinse your ears or instill any solutions. If there is a perforation of the eardrum, lavage can lead to damage to the middle ear and hearing loss.
If bleeding occurs after a blow to the ear area, there is also a high risk of damage to the eardrum. Therefore, similar to the previous situation - no rinsing before visiting the doctor. You can apply ice to the bruised area and wrap it in a thick cloth.
Traumatic brain injury, which includes a blow to the back of the head or temporal region may cause bleeding from the ears. In this situation, a person should see a doctor as soon as possible. It is better if this is to call an ambulance, since it is undesirable to move a victim with such a severe traumatic brain injury.
The appearance of blood from a boil in the ear canal, which is visible from the outside, should not be scary. This is due to the deep location of the inflammation, which affected the vessels.
Such a boil should be treated with a cotton swab with antiseptics:
- Chlorhexidine;
- Hydrogen peroxide;
- Boric acid.
Video: How to properly clean your ears
After the otolaryngologist examines the affected person and makes a diagnosis, the course of treatment will begin. Depending on the cause of ear bleeding, surgery may even be necessary.
With the development of acute otitis media, prescribed antibacterial drugs inside and in the form of drops. The most commonly prescribed drugs are Amoxicillin and Tsiprolet. At high temperatures, antipyretics such as ibuprofen and paracetamol are used. Treatment must be monitored by an ENT doctor. He observes changes inside the ear and monitors the healing of the eardrum.
Chronic otitis media also needs antibiotics. But some of its forms require surgery, as they can even affect bone tissue around the ear. With chronic otitis media, perforation of the eardrum persists, so doctors recommend covering the ear while bathing. This will prevent water from entering the middle ear and aggravating the process.
Traumatic brain injuries associated with a fracture of the base of the skull require the help of a neurosurgeon. Often surgery is required to eliminate the internal hematoma. Further treatment are provided in the intensive care unit.
Bleeding from the ears is not a common problem, but a fair amount is described in otolaryngology textbooks. possible reasons similar symptom. Most of them are quite serious problems, so you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Calm and correct actions in case of ear bleeding, they will minimize the consequences and avoid complications.
So why does my ear bleed?
Why is there bleeding from the ears: probable causes
- Bleeding from the ears occurs due to skull bone injuries: in case of a fall, a blow to the head, a car accident. In this case, heavy bleeding may begin immediately or after some time, the victim may feel headache and dizziness. In this situation, the person must be placed in horizontal position and call lowercase ambulance. You can't put anything in your ears. The only thing that can be done is to ensure complete rest and insert a cotton swab soaked in antiseptic into the ear.
- Bleeding from the ears can be caused by blow to the ear and other injuries. In these cases, bleeding may be minor and stop quickly, but you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Bleeding when cleaning the ear canal
- Often blood appears in the ears when cleaning them. You can hurt your ear even if it's safe cotton swab while cleaning the ear. This happens when a person is pushed under the elbow. Damage to the eardrum in such situations is extremely rare. The victim should carefully examine the ear, rinse the damaged area with warm water and lubricate it with an antiseptic. If a blood crust forms at the site of injury, pain no, everything is okay.
- Damage to the eardrum can occur if ear cleaning is performed sharp object. If a person cleaned his ear dangerous object, and he began to bleed, there is no time to delay a visit to the doctor. Read about surgery for perforated eardrum.
Bloody discharge due to otitis media
Otitis develops due to fungal, viral or infectious etiology. Depending on the causes of otitis media, a treatment method is prescribed. If the disease is not treated or is treated incorrectly, a complication begins in the form of purulent otitis media. It can be manifested by high fever, severe pain in the ear and discharge of pus. Pus and blood are released from the ear; in the morning, instead of pus, a significant amount of blood flows out of the ear. Blood from the ear with otitis media is very serious symptom, which may indicate damage to deep-lying tissues with the risk of developing meningitis. There is only one way out - immediately consult a doctor.
Blood from the ear in combination with pus can also be released for other reasons. Discharge can be caused by the opening of a boil located in the ear. As a rule, it develops as a result of an infection entering a microcrack or other damage to the auricle. Inflammation is often accompanied by fever, swelling and pain.
Why else can you notice blood in your ear?
Symptoms appear when pressure changes
If a person is bleeding from the ear, it may be due to changes in blood pressure.
- In people suffering from hypertension, with sudden jumps blood pressure can also watch bleeding. Typically, blood comes from the nose, but bleeding from the ears is also possible. In this situation, you must take the medications prescribed by your doctor and call an ambulance.
- When diving to great depths Due to a sudden change in pressure, the eardrum may rupture. In this case, bleeding is rarely intense, but a visit to a doctor is necessary.
Why did the ear still bleed, although all the above reasons have been excluded? This may be due to the appearance of neoplasms.
Neoplasms as a cause of ear bleeding
Blood discharge from the ears may indicate the occurrence of polyp. As a rule, its development is accompanied by headache and hearing loss. Read about the treatment of nasal polyps with propolis.
New growths inside the ear can be benign and malignant. As they grow, they provoke bleeding from the ears. Only a doctor can determine the nature of the neoplasm after examination.
If the bleeding is not caused by a minor injury to the ear, the only option is to see a doctor. This is too serious a symptom to neglect calling an ambulance. Self-medication and hoping that the bleeding will stop on its own can cost you hearing loss and possibly your life.
And malignant carcinoma of the ear. Knowing the possible causes of ear bleeding will help you choose the right course of action in extreme situations.
Infectious diseases
It is impossible to independently find out why there is bleeding from the ear, especially if the bleeding is accompanied by pain or high fever. Infectious diseases have dangerous complications and require the attention of a doctor and adequate treatment.
Otitis media
Blood mixed with pus, sharp pain, heat indicate a rupture of the eardrum due to purulent. The danger is blood from the ear without admixture of pus, which indicates the transition of inflammation to the deep structures of the ear.
Bullous otitis media
The disease is caused by a virus and occurs after the flu. Another name for bullous otitis is influenza otitis. Inflammation is characterized by the appearance of bubbles in the ear canal, on the eardrum. The size of the vesicles filled with bloody contents ranges from the size of a lentil grain to a pea. The disease is accompanied by pain, intensifying during chewing, and bloody discharge.
Furuncle
Discharge of blood mixed with earwax and pus may indicate a boil in the ear canal. An independent breakthrough of a boil is accompanied by rejection of purulent-hemorrhagic contents, intoxication of the body, a rise in temperature, and an increase in the size of the lymph nodes.
Inflammation of the eardrum (myringitis)
Acute inflammation is accompanied by the formation of bubbles filled with liquid contents on the ear membrane. When the vesicles are opened, the serous-hemorrhagic fluid contained in them is released into the external auditory canal.
Candidiasis of the external ear
An infection of the outer ear is caused by the microscopic fungus Candida due to decreased immunity and uncontrolled use of antibiotics. Candidiasis is accompanied by itching in the ear canal, decreased hearing, and periodic bleeding from the ear.
Malignant otitis externa
The disease is caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa due to diabetes. Diabetes treatment measures significantly improve the patient’s condition and contribute to successful treatment malignant external otitis. The disease is accompanied by severe pain, significant hearing loss, purulent discharge mixed with blood.
Mechanical damage to the ear
Violation of the integrity of the tympanic membrane is caused by pressure changes, injury when cleaning the ear, or foreign objects entering the ear canal. A common cause of membrane rupture in children is ear cleaning.
Rupture of membrane
It is quite easy to damage the eardrum. The location of the eardrum is quite superficial; it is only 2.5 cm deep from the outer edge of the auricle. A rupture can be caused by a fall with the ear on the water, an impact, or removal foreign body from the ear canal.
If you suspect a ruptured membrane, you should not delay visiting a doctor. The ear should be covered with a sterile bandage, folded several times. You cannot try to determine the cause of the blood on your own, touch the ear, or instill medications.
Damage to the ear canal
A careless sudden movement when manipulating sharp objects when cleaning the ear canal from wax can cause damage to the skin and bleeding from the ear. A deep scratch may bleed for some time. Similar injuries to the ear canal are often observed in young children, and the child has scarlet blood coming from the ear without any admixture of pus or clots. To stop the bleeding, they resort to placing a gauze turunda moistened with 3% hydrogen peroxide, after which they contact an otolaryngologist.
Benign formations
Tumor diseases are treated by an ENT doctor together with an oncologist. The benign quality of the tumor is confirmed by special additional studies.
Glomus tumor
Vascular benign glomus tumor is localized in the tympanic cavity. Its growth leads to displacement of the eardrum, destruction, and the tumor coming out. The process is accompanied by bleeding from the ear, hearing loss, and neurological syndrome. Glomus tumor is characterized by heavy, repeated bleeding of pure blood, without admixtures of pus or serous fluid.
Ear polyps
As a result of the proliferation of the tissues of the lining of the middle ear, an ear polyp is formed. It is a soft connective tissue formation on a stalk. The appearance of a polyp is accompanied by itching, a feeling of tightness, headaches, noise in the ear, and suppuration. The polyp bleeds easily, and bleeding from the ear can be quite profuse.
Malignant tumors
The chances of cure with timely treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the ear are more than 95%. Treatment methods for the disease are constantly being improved.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the ear
Signs of a malignant tumor disease of the external ear are:
- mucous membranes bloody issues from the ear with a pungent odor;
- recurring itching in the ear;
- pain;
- progressive;
- appearance age spots around the ear;
- soreness of the cervical lymph nodes.
Traumatic brain injuries
The inner ear is different high sensitivity to mechanical shock. Irreversible consequences on hearing can cause a blow 100 times less powerful than a mild concussion.
Labyrinth contusion
The injury is caused by a blow to the temple. Contusion of the labyrinth is accompanied by hemorrhage in the tissue of the ear, dizziness, noise in the ear, and the illusion of movement of surrounding objects. After the impact, hearing loss and bleeding from the ear are observed. To provide assistance, the victim must be laid on a hard surface and a doctor must be called. Don't rinse your ear. They put drops in the nose vasoconstrictor drops to speed up the removal of blood from the tympanic cavity.
Disturbances of the labyrinth in fractures of the base of the skull
A fall on the head, a strong blow to the back of the head, a sharp fall on the knees or buttocks can cause a fracture of the base of the skull. If the temporal bone is involved in the fracture line, a labyrinthine traumatic syndrome. 5-6 days after injury in the area mastoid process Blue spots appear behind the ear, blood accumulates in the tympanic cavity.
Fractures are often combined with ruptures of the eardrum and bleeding.
Lack of timely assistance, even with favorable spontaneous recovery, leads to vestibular disorders, hearing loss, damage facial nerve. In cases of complications, the victim may fall into a coma or die.
Bleeding from the ear occurs when emergency situations and requires urgent contact. Blood discharge from the ear canal may indicate an exacerbation chronic disease, penetration dangerous infection, injury. Early contact with an otolaryngologist will help determine the cause of bleeding and preserve hearing.
You should also be careful if, as they say in everyday life, this may be a symptom of an ear disease or some somatic internal diseases.
Bleeding from the ear is one of the most common pathological conditions, for which patients turn to an otolaryngologist. Manifested by bleeding from the external auditory canal.
Diagnosing the pathology is not difficult; it is more important to determine the immediate cause of this disorder. It can be not only a local disorder of the ear, but also a systemic disease. Often, thanks to this kind of bleeding, the patient is examined more thoroughly and the provoking disease is identified for the first time.
Treatment tactics depend on the pathology that led to this disorder.
Table of contents:Total information
Bleeding from the ear is a condition that can occur against the background of a number of diseases and pathological conditions. According to various sources, bleeding from the ear of varying severity When visiting a specialist, 0.5 to 3% of patients complain.
Adults and children suffer equally often. Cases of detection of this disorder in infants in the first few weeks and even days after birth, as well as in elderly patients who have not previously suffered from ear pathology, have been described.
In males, bleeding from the ear is diagnosed somewhat more often than in females - on average, there are two men for every woman with this pathology. A more frequent diagnosis of ear bleeding in them is due to those cases that arise as a result of injury to the ear structures.
note
Often, bleeding from the ear becomes the first symptom of a pathology that the patient did not even know existed.
Causes of ear bleeding in adults
All causes of bleeding from the ear can be divided into two large groups:
- traumatic;
- pathological.
The former arise under the influence of a traumatic agent, the latter - against the background various diseases and pathological conditions.
Bleeding from the ear of a traumatic nature is observed when structures are damaged:
- external auditory canal;
- eardrum;
- middle ear.
For significant injuries temporal bone the pyramid and structures may be injured inner ear with the occurrence of bleeding. Such traumatization is observed, as a rule, with severe head injuries.
Traumatic ear bleeding occurs due to injuries:
- non-medical;
- caused during medical procedures.
Non-medical injuries are the most common cause of the development of the described pathology. These injuries may include:
- bruised;
- chopped;
- cut;
They arise:
- at home;
- in production;
- while playing sports;
- as a result of an accident;
- in situations of a criminal nature;
- during hostilities.
note
Household injuries that lead to bleeding from the ear are most often the result of inattentive actions. As a rule, this is bleeding due to injury to the external auditory canal, less often -.
A person may fall with the ear area on a sharp object, which will cause injury. Bleeding can also occur when:
- cleansing the external auditory canal from accumulations of wax and other contaminants - due to the use of sharp objects or such manipulation inaccurately;
- independent removal from the ear canal.
At work, ear injury, which can lead to the development of the described disease, most often occurs due to:
- non-compliance with safety regulations at work in general;
- ignoring them on the part of workers.
Bleeding from the ear is a common injury among athletes - usually those who exercise by force sports (including team sports):
- football;
- volleyball;
- basketball;
- hockey
- boxing
and others.
In addition to them, dangerous sports are those that are obviously associated with the risk of injury - these are motorcycle and automobile sports.
Bleeding from the ear in accidents can often be particularly pronounced - not only small vessels of soft tissue are damaged, but also large trunks. The causes of such injury can be:
- traffic accident;
- falling from a height - from a tree, stairs, from a window;
- falling under landslides during man-made and natural disasters;
- immersion in water to great depths - this causes sharp drop pressure in the outer and middle ear, which can damage the eardrum.
Sometimes such accidents can have a curious, but no less dramatic character - when drunkenness a person falls from his own height and is injured (including being hit by the temporal part of the head, which leads to the occurrence of the described pathology).
Bleeding from the ear due to injuries received in situations of a criminal nature is not as widespread as domestic bleeding, but its number has increased in the last five to ten years.
The reasons are:
- increased human aggression;
- more frequent clarification of relationships by force;
- an attempt to get rid of psychological stress that has arisen due to problems in society, in the family, at work, and so on.
Such situations are:
- fights;
- assault on a person for the purpose of robbery;
- mutilation for the purpose of revenge;
- torture (more often in economically backward countries with old social foundations)
and others.
Bleeding from the ear when exposed to force is usually more pronounced than those that occur against the background of injuries of a domestic, industrial or sports nature.
In addition, bleeding from the ear can occur against the background of autotrauma - self-mutilation, the most common purpose of which is:
- staying in a medical institution to avoid social responsibility (military service), administrative and criminal;
- provoking self-pity (lonely people with certain psychological problems are capable of this);
- demonstrative type of behavior (often practiced by emotionally labile people)
Often such injuries are inflicted for the purpose of or against the background of mental illness.
note
Bleeding from the ear occurs in military conditions not only when injury is caused by any objects. Its cause may be contusion (injury without damage to the skin of the body) due to exposure to a blast wave. Under such circumstances, the integrity of the eardrum is violated (it literally bursts), this process is accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the walls of blood vessels, and bleeding occurs.
Traumatic bleeding from the ear can occur during manipulations:
- diagnostic;
- medicinal.
In the first case it is:
- examination of various ear structures using ENT instruments or endoscopic equipment;
- diagnostic puncture - puncture of ear structures in order to collect liquid pathological contents (for example, in the event of ulcers, hematomas, etc.);
- – collection of ear tissue fragments with subsequent examination under a microscope.
When carried out correctly, such methods in themselves do not lead to the development of bleeding - it is observed when they are carried out carelessly, roughly or ineptly, as well as when the technique of their implementation is violated.
Therapeutic manipulations can also cause bleeding from the ear. Most often this is:
- removal of a foreign body even in a clinical setting;
- rinsing the ear to remove wax plug;
- ear surgeries.
What pathologies can cause bleeding from the ear? Most often this is:
- tumors;
- infectious diseases;
- inflammatory pathologies of an aseptic nature - those that develop without the participation of an infectious agent;
- vascular diseases;
- blood pathologies.
Bleeding from the ear rarely occurs against the background of benign tumors. As a rule, the provocateur is malignant neoplasms that grow rapidly, spread to surrounding tissues and at the same time literally “eat away” the vessel wall, damaging it. Also, malignant neoplasms become a source of bleeding when they are destroyed by terminal stages. These may be tumors:
- primary – those that arise immediately in the structures of the ear;
- those that were formed during the malignant degeneration of benign neoplasms;
- metastatic - those that develop from tumor cells, received through the blood or lymph flow from malignant neoplasms of other organs and tissues.
Most often, bleeding from the ear occurs due to tumors such as:
- polyps - growth of tissue in the form of long thin formations. Of all ear tumors, polyps are one of the most common reasons development of the described pathological condition. Most often, polyps occur in the external ear canal– with this arrangement they are easy to injure. Also, the cause of bleeding may be that polyps are capable of malignant degeneration, and the risk of bleeding increases;
- – a benign vascular tumor that appears as a result of impaired development of blood vessels in the fetus;
- carcinoma – malignancy in the area of the middle ear, which develops from epithelial cells
and a number of others.
Bleeding from the ear can occur against the background of any infectious lesion - bacterial, viral, caused by protozoa, spirochetes and other infectious agents. In most cases, the described pathological condition occurs for the following reasons:
- a simple infectious-inflammatory lesion progresses and becomes purulent - the pus corrodes the vascular wall, and blood flows through the defect;
- microorganism toxins destroy the vessel wall. These can be exotoxins (those that the pathogen releases into tissues to facilitate its stay in them), metabolic products of the infectious agent, and decay products of dead microbial bodies.
Pathogens that provoke an infectious lesion with the development of bleeding from the ear can affect all its structures equally. The most sensitive is inner ear. Such pathogens may be:
- nonspecific;
- specific.
In the first case, these are those microorganisms that are capable of causing a number of infectious pathologies - and others.
In the second case, these are pathogens, the presence of which determines the development of a certain infectious disease. This:
- Koch's bacillus - causes various localizations (in in this case– ear structures);
- Treponema pallidum – provokes the development of;
- Brucella - causes brucellosis
and other pathogens.
Moreover, these can be not only pathogenic (provoking the disease in any case), but also opportunistic microorganisms (those that normally live peacefully in human body, but begin to exhibit aggressive properties under certain conditions - for example, when the ear is overcooled or aggressive compounds get into it).
Most often, bleeding from the ear occurs against the background of infectious pathologies caused by bacteria, less often by other pathogens. Fungi play a role, namely candida. They can spread throughout skin external auditory canal, affecting small superficial vessels– the integrity of their wall is violated, bleeding occurs. In addition, pathogenic fungi can provoke itching - the patient scratches the itchy areas, the walls of the blood vessels at the site of scratching are damaged, and bleeding occurs.
note
Often, bleeding from the ear is detected when large abscesses break through - in this case, pus with blood is released from the external auditory canal.
An infectious agent does not have to be present for bleeding from the ear to occur - aseptic inflammation may be its background. Infection acts as a provocateur of tissue changes (in particular, in the vascular wall) - but they can also be observed in non-infectious inflammatory lesions. Inflammatory mediators (substances that provoke the development of its symptoms) affect the vascular wall, increase its permeability, which is why the liquid part of the blood leaves the lumen of the vessel, but often with red blood cells (erythrocytes). This bleeding is minor, but it can be regular.
The described disorder can occur against the background of not only local damage, but also systemic diseases. They are those pathologies in which the walls of blood vessels throughout the body are affected, including in the structures of the ear, which leads to bleeding. Most often this is:
- – inflammatory lesion vascular wall with its subsequent destruction;
- insufficient consumption;
- vitamin P deficiency
and a number of others.
In addition, increased bleeding from the ear can occur when systemic diseases blood. These are disorders in which the blood coagulation and anticoagulation systems are affected - the activity of the first decreases, the second increases. Most often, such pathologies are a number of diseases in which coagulation (blood clotting) is impaired. Also a serious factor are pathologies of platelets - blood elements that take part in the formation of a blood clot, thanks to which bleeding stops.
Symptoms
The actual sign of bleeding from the ear is the discharge of blood from it. This process, depending on the pathology that provoked it, may have different characteristics:
- by the amount of blood - as a rule, this is a small discharge;
- in terms of regularity - in case of systemic pathologies, bleeding from the ear can reach 3-4 times a day;
- to preserve hearing function - it can be impaired only when a significant amount of blood accumulates in the middle ear (if you do not take into account hearing loss due to trauma to the eardrum and other types of damage).
There are no general symptoms purely due to bleeding from the ear, but it can develop against the background of the pathologies that led to it.
Diagnostics
Detection of bleeding from the ear is based on a simple examination of the patient. But it is important not only to state it, but also to determine the reasons. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully ask the patient what complaints he had before the bleeding occurred, how often it occurs, and whether there were signs of progression (in particular, the release of more blood each time).
A physical examination consists of examining the ear and determining the amount of blood released - this may be dried traces of it or discharge that continues at the time of examination.
Basic instrumental method Research in the diagnosis of bleeding from the ear is otoscopy - examination of the external auditory canal, eardrum, and if it is damaged, the middle ear cavity, which is carried out using an otoscope (an ENT instrument with built-in optics and illumination). Next, diagnostic methods are determined based on the circumstances of the occurrence of bleeding from the ear. So, it could be:
- – in case of injury;
- (MRI) – if bleeding is suspected of a tumor origin;
- endoscopic examination of the ear
and many others.
Diagnosis of systemic disorders may also be necessary.
Laboratory research methods for diagnosing bleeding from the ear help to carry out differential diagnosis between pathologies that could provoke it. This:
- – an increase in the number of leukocytes (leukocytosis) and ESR indicates the inflammatory nature of the provoking pathology, a sharp increase in ESR– about tumor and so on;
- – blood coagulation system is assessed
and others.
Differential diagnosis
Differential (distinctive) diagnosis for bleeding from the ear is carried out between diseases that can provoke it - local and systemic.
Complications
Critical complications with bleeding from the ear, as a rule, are not observed. The amount of blood released is not so large that significant blood loss can be avoided.
Most often, the consequences of bleeding from the ear are observed when blood accumulates in the ear cavity. The following complications arise:
- hearing impairment;
- blood infection upon joining pathogenic microflora with possible suppuration.
In the second case, in the absence of adequate treatment, secondary complications may occur:
- - inflammation meninges due to the introduction of pathogenic microflora into them, infecting the hematoma in the middle ear;
- – inflammatory damage to regional lymph nodes;
- lymphangitis is inflammation of regional lymphatic vessels.
Generalized secondary complications are quite rare, but the possibility of their development should be remembered. This:
- – spread of infection through the blood or lymph throughout the body with the formation of metastatic purulent foci in organs and tissues. May occur if bloody contents in the middle ear are not treated properly timely diagnosis And adequate treatment;
- infectious-toxic shock - a violation of microcirculation in tissues against the background of their damage by an infectious agent.
What to do if there is bleeding from the ear
Medical tactics for bleeding from the ear are based on the involvement of local and common methods treatment.
The principles of treatment are as follows:
- stopping bleeding;
- – carried out to prevent and treat infections that may occur;
- relief of diseases and pathological conditions that could lead to the development of this condition.
Stopping bleeding from the ear involves doing the following:
For antibacterial therapy Antibiotics are usually used wide range actions.
Methods for relieving pathological conditions that provoke bleeding are very different, as they depend on the specific disease, and therefore are prescribed individually.
Prevention
The main methods for preventing ear bleeding are:
- prevention, detection and treatment of tumors, infectious diseases, inflammatory pathologies of an aseptic nature, vascular and blood diseases, somatic diseases and other pathologies that can cause bleeding from the ear;
- careful carrying out diagnostic and therapeutic manipulations on ear structures.
Forecast
The prognosis for bleeding from the ear is generally favorable. Blood loss is not critical; bleeding can be stopped fairly quickly using modern methods.
Kovtonyuk Oksana Vladimirovna, medical observer, surgeon, consultant doctor
Sometimes you can observe in yourself or in a child such an unpleasant and naturally worrying symptom as blood from the ear. There can be several reasons for this phenomenon: from simple and quickly removable to quite serious. In this article we will look at this issue and find out why there are bleeding from the ears. We will also find out what to do and how to eliminate this dangerous symptom in an adult and a child.
Reasons why blood flows from the ear in adults
Let's find out why bleeding from the ear can occur in an adult.
Otitis media in the acute phase is a common cause. Please note that if this is indeed otitis media, then the released blood will certainly contain an admixture of pus. In this case, bleeding will be accompanied by acute shooting pain, ear congestion, and possibly fever.
A ruptured eardrum also results in bleeding from the ear. As a rule, perforation of the membrane occurs as a result of purulent otitis, and is accompanied by severe pain.
All of the listed reasons for the appearance of blood from the ears may well be the causes of this disease in a pregnant woman. In this case, special requirements are placed on health, so a visit to the doctor is necessary.
Video: Komarovsky’s opinion on why there is bleeding from the auricle
The video shows what causes blood from the ear and what to do about it:
Why does ear bleeding occur in children?
What reasons can cause blood to appear from a child’s ear.
- Well, the most common cause of ear bleeding in children- This various types otitis. Otitis media mainly leads to the appearance of blood. This disease is also accompanied by severe ear pain, the appearance of weakness, dizziness, other unpleasant and alarming symptoms. Immediate medical attention is required, as advanced otitis develops into purulent, and then meningitis is possible.
Sometimes, although not often, the appearance of blood is associated with oncological problems. Various tumors that arise in the ear area, in the head, can put pressure on blood vessels. Small vessels cannot withstand the pressure and burst. As a result of this, blood can be observed from the child’s ear. To eliminate the possibility of this terrible reason, be sure to visit a doctor and carry out all the prescribed examinations.
This guide will help you understand what to do when your throat itches from the inside and you have a cough.
Urgent Care
If blood flows from the ear, before the doctor arrives, you can take some measures that will help alleviate the patient’s condition and, at the same time, will not harm.
Fold a sterile bandage in several layers and apply it to the bleeding ear. If bleeding from the ear is caused by an injury, and the latter is clearly noticeable, you can treat the wound with peroxide. You can also make a turunda out of gauze, soak it in peroxide, and insert it into the bleeding ear to eliminate the infection.
If the blood is caused by a boil located near the ear opening, the burst neoplasm should be treated with boric alcohol, and the remaining pus should be removed with a gauze swab.
If the causes of bleeding are unclear, it is better to wait for a doctor, removing only the stains from outside the ear.
Drug therapy
Let's find out which medicines may be useful for troubleshooting various reasons ear bleeding.
If bleeding is caused by a fungal infection, antifungal agents are needed:
To carry out antiseptic treatment of the ear, the following drugs are needed:
They will be useful, including for injuries, boils, and otitis externa.
If the bleeding is caused by otitis, you will need ear drops containing an antibiotic:
If the blood is caused by an inflammatory process, antipyretic drugs may also be needed:
Antibiotics of targeted, pronounced action are necessary for purulent otitis media. Tools such as:
How to treat
Let's find out what methods will help cope with the elimination of ear bleeding.
If bleeding from the ear is due to some external damage to the soft tissues, then the external auditory organs are usually washed. After this, cotton wool with an anti-inflammatory agent is placed in the ear canals, and the abrasions are lubricated with brilliant green to eliminate the possibility of suppuration. If the bruise is of sufficient size, then a cold compress to relieve swelling will not hurt.
In the event of an injury that leads to the appearance of blood from the ear, the patient must be ensured rest and immobility to eliminate the possibility of injury internal organs before a medical examination.
Until the bleeding stops completely, the doctor provides the patient with appropriate assistance, which consists of administering vasoconstrictors and medications that improve blood clotting. In case of severe trauma, the help of a neurosurgeon and neurologist is necessary. And if a rapidly growing internal hematoma is detected, urgent surgery is prescribed. Also, if bleeding from the ear is caused by injury, the patient must take antibiotics to exclude the possibility of developing bacterial infection and inflammation.
In the video, what to do if blood appears in the ear:
If there is blood from the ear- otitis result, treatment will be appropriate this disease. The patient is prescribed antibiotics, antifungals and antihistamines to relieve swelling of the mucous membrane. Most often, with this disease, the main form drug therapy- these are ear drops that have all the properties described above.
If bleeding is accompanied by ear pain, local painkillers are prescribed. In many ear drops, for example, there is a component such as lidocaine, which can quickly relieve painful sensations.
Otitis media in the chronic phase can be easily treated with physiotherapy. At the same time, it is necessary to eliminate foci of infection that led to the development of a chronic disease.
Physiotherapy for the ear
If bleeding from the ear is caused by a foreign body that has entered the ear canal, it must be removed, but only in medical office. If a small object is deep enough and cannot be reached from the outside by any means, a surgical procedure is prescribed. general anesthesia. The presence of a foreign body in the ear canal not only causes bleeding and affects auditory perception, but also leads to inflammatory processes, purulent otitis, and other serious consequences.
If bleeding from the ear is caused by tumors, an oncologist will treat the patient and eliminate this problem. Surgery may also be necessary.
It is necessary to pay as much attention to this problem as possible. The close location of the auditory organs to the brain makes the latter very vulnerable in this case. If you don't finish the treatment purulent otitis media or other inflammatory process, the infection can spread to the lining of the brain, causing meningitis. Contact us for medical assistance if you notice blood from your ear: the sooner adequate treatment is provided, the faster you will forget about this problem.
