Bleeding of the Ear can cause permanent hearing loss. Know more
Ear bleeding is a condition where blood flows out of the ear canal. There are many causes of ear bleeding including infections, trauma, allergies, and even some medications. If left untreated, ear bleeding can lead to hearing loss.
Ear bleeding can occur at any time of year, but is more likely to happen in warmer months. It’s not uncommon for some people to have ear infections and develop fluid buildup around their ears. If you experience pain or discomfort when you touch your ear, then you may need to visit your doctor immediately.
Ear bleeding is commonly known as ear mites, but they’re not parasites. These tiny creatures live in your ears and irritate. There are two types of ear mites: external (also called body mites) and internal (also called head mites). External ear mites live on your skin, while internal ones dwell inside your ear canal.
- External ear mites are relatively harmless. Their bites itch but don’t hurt unless you scratch them or pull out their eggs. If you do get an infection, however, you may need antibiotics.
- Internal ear mites can cause serious problems if left untreated. They cause inflammation and thickening of your eardrum, which can lead to hearing loss. You can treat these mites yourself at home, though some doctors recommend seeing a doctor first.
Anatomy of Ear: External ear, middle ear, and inner ear
External Ear – The external ear consists of two parts; the pinna (the outer ear) and the tragus (the inner ear). The pinna has three layers: skin, cartilage, and bone. The cartilage layer contains many tiny holes called pores. These pores open up to the outside air and allow sound waves to pass through. The bone layer is where the auditory ossicles are located. The auditory ossicles are three small bones that move during the hearing. When we hear sounds, these bones vibrate and send signals to the brain saying what the sound was.
Middle Ear – The middle ear is composed of three parts: the eardrum, the ossicles, and the chain of three smaller bones called the hammer, stirrup, and anvil. The eardrum is a thin, oval-shaped piece of connective tissue that covers both the middle and external ear. The ossicles are three tiny bones inside the middle ear cavity. The hammer and stirrup are connected by the long process of the incus while the anvil is attached to the head of the stapes. The middle ear provides a mechanical advantage that amplifies sound vibrations before they reach the inner ear.
Inner Ear – The inner ear consists of three parts: the vestibule, semicircular canals, and the cochlea. The vestibule is a hollow area behind the middle ear. It contains the endolymphatic sac, which produces the endolymph fluid that fills the membranous labyrinth. The membranous labyrinth is located at the base of the cranium and houses the three semicircular canals.
The three semicircular canals are tubes that are lined with sensory cells. They are responsible for detecting linear acceleration and rotation. The cochlea is a spiral-shaped tube that contains hair cells. Hair cells are specialized cells that detect movement. Movement causes them to bend and change their shape. This change sends electrical impulses to the brain.
The various causes of ear bleeding
There are many reasons why someone could have ear bleeds. When you’re experiencing symptoms, make sure you get checked out by a medical professional. You may want to consider these possible causes:
- Infection – There are several types of ear infections, including otitis externa (commonly known as swimmer’s ear), acute otitis media, chronic suppurative otitis media, and recurrent acute otitis media. These conditions can cause swelling and inflammation of the outer layer of the ear canal.
- Foreign body – A foreign object can become lodged in the ear canal. Objects that commonly cause ear problems include cotton swabs, Q-tips, jewelry, and even small pieces of wood.
- Trauma – Injuries to the ear can result in bleeding. Common causes of trauma include getting hit in the head, falling, and being bitten by animals.
- Cancer – Certain cancers can affect the ear, including skin cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, melanoma, and carcinomas.
- Tumors – Tumors can grow in the middle ear and cause pressure inside the ear.
Treatment Options
If you think you might have an ear problem, contact your doctor right away. Your doctor can perform a physical exam and listen to your ear with a stethoscope. He or she may recommend antibiotics if you have an infection. If you suspect a tumor, he or she can do a biopsy to determine whether you have cancer.
If you’ve had an injury to the ear, try to keep the area clean and dry. Make sure you don’t push objects deeper into the ear canal. If you notice blood coming from the ear, stop using earbuds and seek medical attention.
How to Stop An Ear Infection?
There are several ways to prevent ear infections. You should regularly clean out your ears using warm water and salt. Make sure you use enough salt so the water is slightly salty. Also, avoid putting cotton buds inside your ears. If you do have an infection, consult your doctor right away. He/she may recommend an antibiotic ointment to help fight off the infection.
Prevention of Ear Bleeding:
There are several ways to prevent ear bleeding. First, make sure you have proper nutrition. You should eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. These foods will help keep your immune system strong and ward off infections. Second, avoid using tobacco products. Tobacco contains nicotine, which is known to dry out the skin and mucous membranes. Lastly, don’t overuse alcohol. Alcohol dries out the body’s natural oils, causing the skin to become dry and cracked.
Home remedies: If you notice any symptoms of ear bleeding, try these home remedies.
• Cleanse your ears with warm water. If you use cotton balls, clean them first with soap and water. Then place them inside your ear canal. Let them stay inside for about 10 minutes before washing them out. Do this twice daily until the bleeding stops.
• Use ice packs. Put two ice cubes inside each ear. Leave them in for 5-10 minutes after each session. Repeat this procedure three times per day.
• Use aloe vera gel. Mix 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel with 1 cup of lukewarm water. Pour this mixture into your ear canal. Leave it in for 15 minutes before rinsing it out thoroughly. Do this once daily.
• Apply pressure. While sitting down, put a finger in your ear canal and apply gentle pressure. Hold this position for about 30 seconds. Repeat this procedure once daily.
What happens if I have an ear infection?
Ear infections happen when bacteria grow inside of your ear causing fluid accumulation and pain. If left untreated, this can become infected and cause further problems. You should consult your doctor if you experience any symptoms of an ear infection including fever, earache, or drainage.
Are there any complications of ear bleeding?
When you bleed from your ears, you could get an ear infection from bacteria in the blood. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. But, if the infection becomes worse, they might need to remove some of your hair follicles (also called cerumen) from your outer ear canal.
How do I stop bleeding from my ears?
You can apply over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or acetaminophen to reduce inflammation and swelling around your ear. You can also use warm water to help relieve pain and pressure. Try not to blow your nose or use cotton swabs to clean out your ear. These actions could push the blood back into your ear and make things worse. Make sure to only use a clean Q-tip to clean your ears.
Is there anything else I should know about ear bleeding?
Bleeding from your ears can sometimes lead to permanent hearing loss. If you think you’ve been exposed to loud noise, wear headphones while working outside. Also, try to avoid using sharp objects near your ear.
The conclusion,
There’s no way to tell whether you have internal ear mites until you go to the doctor. Your doctor will examine your ears, then use a microscope to look for mites. He may take samples of your earwax to check for mites.
If you find any mites, he’ll give you medicine to kill them. Be sure to follow his instructions carefully. Don’t use any over-the-counter remedies without talking to him first.
