Bloody earwax can be a sign of a medical problem that you need to treat. Some causes include a foreign object entering the ear, infection, ruptured eardrum, and ear cancer. Earwax or cerumen is a normal thing that plays an important role in protecting the ear from dust. Generally, earwax is yellow-brown in color. However, in some conditions it can also look red or mixed with blood. Bloody earwax can be a sign of a serious health problem.
There are several causes that can trigger this condition, some of which may not require special medical treatment. However, it is important to be aware, especially if you have had a head injury or feel pain in the ear.
Causes of Bloody Earwax
Here are some possible causes of bloody earwax:
- Ear Canal Injury
One of the most common causes of bloody earwax is accidental damage to the ear canal. This can happen when you try to clean your ear with your finger or a cotton swab and the ear canal is scratched. In children, injuries can occur when they stick toys, crayons, sticks, or other objects in their ears.Although many ear canal injuries are minor, you should be aware of possible signs of infection, including: Pain, Swelling, Discharge from the ear.
Severe Ear Infection. An ear infection (otitis media) develops in the middle part of the ear, or behind the eardrum. It can cause the eardrum to become inflamed and red, with discharge and pain. As the infection progresses, it can cause fluid to build up behind the eardrum, causing it to rupture and bleed. If you notice blood or fluid coming out of your ear, you may have a severe infection. Call your doctor right away if you experience this.
- Ruptured Eardrum
A ruptured eardrum is also a cause of bloody earwax. This is a serious type of injury that occurs as a result of the tearing of the fragile membrane that forms the eardrum.Possible causes of a ruptured eardrum are: Severe ear infection, Trauma, Sharp objects stuck deep in the ear canal, Exposure to very loud sounds (acoustic trauma).
Trauma to the eardrum is one cause of bleeding earwax that needs to be watched out for. Car accidents, falls, and head impacts in contact sports can also cause ear trauma. In most cases, ear trauma is a medical emergency.
- Cholesteatoma
A cholesteatoma is a cluster of benign (noncancerous) cells that build up in the middle ear. It often occurs in only one ear, causing a watery discharge and hearing loss. Many people mistake this condition for an ear infection. However, cholesteatoma that you don’t treat right away can also become infected, requiring surgical removal. Therefore, you also need to have regular ear checks. - Ear Cancer
Ear cancer is a rare but serious cause of bloody earwax. It is usually caused by various types of skin cancer that can affect the outer ear and ear canal. This occurs when cancer cells build up on the outer ear and then spread to the ear canal and middle ear. In addition to the bleeding sores and other lesions caused by skin cancer on or in the ear, people with this condition may also experience hearing loss and numbness. - Lifestyle
Certain lifestyle habits, such as swimming, exercising, and excessive ear cleaning, can all contribute to an increased risk of infection and injury. This can cause earwax to bleed over time. In some cases, the eardrum can also rupture due to sudden changes in pressure (barotrauma).
Activities that can cause this include:
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- Hiking.
- Scuba diving.
- Flying on a plane.
These are some of the causes of bloody earwax that you need to be aware of. If you experience this condition, immediately see a doctor to get the right treatment.
