why is my ear bleeding

Ear bleeding can happen from something minor, like a scratch in the ear canal, or from something more serious, like an ear infection, a ruptured eardrum, pressure changes, or head trauma. If it started after a blow to the head, loud pressure change, or you have severe pain, dizziness, hearing loss, or fluid leaking, get urgent medical care right away.

Common causes

• A small cut or irritation from cleaning the ear or inserting an object.

• Ear infection that inflames the ear and can sometimes rupture the eardrum.

• Ruptured eardrum from infection, pressure changes, loud noise, or trauma.

• Foreign object in the ear canal or impacted wax causing injury.

• Head injury or other serious trauma.

When to get help

Seek urgent care now if the bleeding happened after a head injury, if you have severe pain, trouble hearing, dizziness, vomiting, or bleeding that does not stop. If it is a small amount after cleaning or a scratch, you should still get it checked if it keeps happening or you have pain, discharge, fever, or hearing changes.

What to do for now

• Do not put anything else in the ear.
• Keep the ear dry.
• Avoid ear drops unless a clinician tells you to use them.
• If there was trauma, do not delay medical evaluation.

If you want, tell me whether it started after cleaning, an infection, a hit to the head, or pressure change , and I can help you think through how urgent it sounds.