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I’ve Had A Earache For Over A Week And Blood
Question: I’ve had a earache for over a week and blood when I use a q tip
Brief Answer:
infection and trauma likely causes
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Earache can be due to different possible causes. The most common are infection of the ear, trauma, presence of a foreign body, sinusitis, referred pain from the mouth.
With a history of blood with a q tip, the most likely causes would be trauma (induced by the q tip) and infection. It is possible that there is damage to the ear drum, this can repair itself in 4 to 6 weeks (if there is an infection with it, treating it would help)
Trauma to the ear can result in an infection because it can damage to surface skin of the ear making it more likely to become infected.
In theory, a q tip is not supposed to be used in the ear beyond the outer ear, because of the risk of introducing infection or causing damage to the ear drum and rest of the ear.
If there is excess wax then a softening agent (water based ones work better than oil based ones), should be used and when the softened wax reaches the outer ear, then a q tip can be used in that area.
Treatment: (1) would need to try to discontinue Q tip to the inner ear
(2)would need to be seen since a course of topical( directly to the ear) or oral antibiotics may be needed
If the ear drum is ruptured, your doctor may prefer oral antibiotics
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
infection and trauma likely causes
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Earache can be due to different possible causes. The most common are infection of the ear, trauma, presence of a foreign body, sinusitis, referred pain from the mouth.
With a history of blood with a q tip, the most likely causes would be trauma (induced by the q tip) and infection. It is possible that there is damage to the ear drum, this can repair itself in 4 to 6 weeks (if there is an infection with it, treating it would help)
Trauma to the ear can result in an infection because it can damage to surface skin of the ear making it more likely to become infected.
In theory, a q tip is not supposed to be used in the ear beyond the outer ear, because of the risk of introducing infection or causing damage to the ear drum and rest of the ear.
If there is excess wax then a softening agent (water based ones work better than oil based ones), should be used and when the softened wax reaches the outer ear, then a q tip can be used in that area.
Treatment: (1) would need to try to discontinue Q tip to the inner ear
(2)would need to be seen since a course of topical( directly to the ear) or oral antibiotics may be needed
If the ear drum is ruptured, your doctor may prefer oral antibiotics
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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