Bleeding ear

daveh0 · 05-13-2011, 06:40 AM

I was on an airplane for 4 hours earlier this week. A few hours after landing, I had the sensation in my ear like there was water stuck in there - this happens semi frequently after showering or swimming so I didn't pay much attention. Shortly after that, I woke up and now felt like there was A LOT of water in there. I stuck my pinky in there and it was quite wet (clear fluid). Slightly concerned, I cautiously stuck a Q-tip in (had to go rather deeply) and when I pulled it out it was almost completely covered in blood. It took maybe 3 or 4 until it came out clean. Since then, I have had the same thing happen 2-3 times/day (not as much fluid or blood from the 1st time though). The area within the ear canal that the blood seems to be coming from is tender when touched with a q-tip but not on it's own. Also neither my hearing nor my equilibrium seem to be affected by this.

Could the flight have caused a blood vessel to rupture? Is this something that will repair itself or do I need to see a doctor and/or meeds?

SCI-Nurse · 05-13-2011, 09:37 AM

Do not stick Q -tips in your ear -deep they are for use on the outside only.Do you have problems with wax build up in your ears?
Decongestant would/ could still help and you should start one but it sounds like you possibly ruptured your ear drum. ( I know because I did this myself even though I knew better!) and couldn't hear out of my ear off and on for months. Any hearing problems? Also it could be really swollen from the trauma and decongestant will help.
Could have become infected also.
So options- take decongestant and do not stick anything in your ear and see if it clears/heals up on its own. If you happen to have antibiotic EAR drops you can use those but do not put any other fluids or devices in your ears. See doctor (family doctor ok) so they can look in your ear, put you on antibiotics if needed, order stronger decongestant and see if you need to see an ENT specialist.
CWO

daveh0 · 05-13-2011, 11:29 AM

No problems with wax buildup and this doesn't seem to have affected my hearing at all.

When you say decongestant, do you mean something like sudaphed?

SCI-Nurse · 05-14-2011, 06:14 PM

Yes
CWO

Donno · 05-15-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCI-Nurse

Do not stick Q -tips in your ear -deep they are for use on the outside only.
CWO

This is one of those universal truths, like Everybody picks their nose. Everyone I have ever asked (including my favorite doc) uses Q-tips in the ear canal. IMHO, you just have to be very careful and aware of how deep is too much.

05-13-2011, 06:40 AM	#1
daveh0 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 341	Bleeding ear I was on an airplane for 4 hours earlier this week. A few hours after landing, I had the sensation in my ear like there was water stuck in there - this happens semi frequently after showering or swimming so I didn't pay much attention. Shortly after that, I woke up and now felt like there was A LOT of water in there. I stuck my pinky in there and it was quite wet (clear fluid). Slightly concerned, I cautiously stuck a Q-tip in (had to go rather deeply) and when I pulled it out it was almost completely covered in blood. It took maybe 3 or 4 until it came out clean. Since then, I have had the same thing happen 2-3 times/day (not as much fluid or blood from the 1st time though). The area within the ear canal that the blood seems to be coming from is tender when touched with a q-tip but not on it's own. Also neither my hearing nor my equilibrium seem to be affected by this. Could the flight have caused a blood vessel to rupture? Is this something that will repair itself or do I need to see a doctor and/or meeds? __________________ *********************************************************** * c4/c5 incomplete * Injured in Summer 2003 * ************************************************************* Last edited by daveh0; 05-13-2011 at 06:48 AM.

05-13-2011, 11:29 AM	#3
daveh0 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 341	No problems with wax buildup and this doesn't seem to have affected my hearing at all. When you say decongestant, do you mean something like sudaphed? __________________ *********************************************************** * c4/c5 incomplete * Injured in Summer 2003 * *************************************************************

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05-13-2011, 09:37 AM	#2
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,335	Do not stick Q -tips in your ear -deep they are for use on the outside only.Do you have problems with wax build up in your ears? Decongestant would/ could still help and you should start one but it sounds like you possibly ruptured your ear drum. ( I know because I did this myself even though I knew better!) and couldn't hear out of my ear off and on for months. Any hearing problems? Also it could be really swollen from the trauma and decongestant will help. Could have become infected also. So options- take decongestant and do not stick anything in your ear and see if it clears/heals up on its own. If you happen to have antibiotic EAR drops you can use those but do not put any other fluids or devices in your ears. See doctor (family doctor ok) so they can look in your ear, put you on antibiotics if needed, order stronger decongestant and see if you need to see an ENT specialist. CWO

05-14-2011, 06:14 PM	#4
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,335	Yes CWO