What Causes Bleeding From Ear After Using A Qtip?

Posted on Thu, 15 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 15 Jan 2015 Answered on

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, yes, i used a q tip this morning to clean my ears. i noticed blood on the q tip after i did this but didn't feel any pain doing it nor do i have pain now. I can hear fine. Should i be concerned?

Answered by Dr. Naveen (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It seems to be a minor trauma...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query.

The blood in the qtip could be due to the trauma to the ear canal. I doubt any trauma to the eardrum. Trauma to the ear drum causes excruciating pain with copious bleeding.

When you were trying to the clean the ear with qtip, you would have scraped the skin of the ear canal and hence the blood spot.

Do not worry! It seems to be a minor trauma which will heal by itself.

Henceforth, avoid using qtip. Instead, you can roll the edge of the towel or handkerchief and use it in the ear.

Hope I have answered your query; I'll be available for the follow up queries,

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Naveen (55 minutes later)

Thanks doc! Thats good news that you thinks its minor. Will i have a little soreness with my ear? It comes and goes but nothing crazy. And that will heal within how many days you think? I can hear perfectly fine tho.

Answered by Dr. Naveen (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Soreness depends upon extent of trauma...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

The soreness depends upon the extent of trauma. If present, the soreness will clear within a day or two and you can try taking OTC pain reliever such as ibuprofen or diclofenac.

Hope this clears your doubts.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj