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.