Bleeding from ear

Also known as Otorrhagia and Ear Bleed

What causes it?

The most common causes of bleeding from ear are otitis media, otitis externa (swimmer's ear), and burn. Other possible causes, such as chronic otitis media, are more rare.

What symptoms are related?

Within all the people who go to their doctor with bleeding from ear, 75% report having ear pain, 48% report having fluid in ear, and 29% report having nosebleed.

What might my doctor prescribe?

Common Tests and Procedures

Patients with bleeding from ear often receive cat scan of head, other diagnostic procedures (interview; evaluation; consultation), suturing of wound, ophthalmologic and otologic diagnosis and treatment, other therapeutic ear procedures, nonoperative removal of foreign body and prophylactic vaccinations and inoculations .

Common Medications

The most commonly prescribed drugs for patients with bleeding from ear include ofloxacin, bioflavonoids (p-1000), colistin/hc/neomycin/thonzonium otic, boric acid topical, coal tar topical, nicardipine, aspirin / oxycodone, chlorpheniramine / methscopolamine / phenylephrine, hydrogen peroxide topical, desmopressin, levocetirizine (xyzal), cefprozil and chlorpheniramine / dextromethorphan / phenylephrine .

Who is at risk?

Groups of people at highest risk for bleeding from ear include age 5-14 years, age 1-4 years and age < 1 years.