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Suggest Treatment For Bleeding From An Ear In An Elderly Person
Question: My husband (79 yrs old) is bleeding moderately from one ear. He says it started about 3 hours ago. I put tissue in ear securely for 1.5 hrs. We just removed it, added another and it's still bleeding, but probably not as much. He is on Plavix. Is this something we should go to Urgent Care for? Maybe an ice pack? He says he did NOT put anything in his ear other than his hearing aid (which he promptly took out). I suspect he scratched it with his fingernail (and kept digging a bit) and because of Plavix he is slow to coagulate. Your thoughts? Thank you ... Ivy
Brief Answer:
Most likely trauma + anticoagulant.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Your speculation that it is a combination of trauma to the ear canal such as from scratching, plus the anticoagulant keeping the bleeding going is very likely.
I wouldn't use ice, but keeping pressure on the area with tissue is a good idea.
However, if there is a lot of blood, and it is not stopping, it is time to go to the urgent care or ER. Even on the Plavix, I would expect it to have stopped bleeding by now.
In the urgent care or ER, they can have a look to see the extent of laceration that is causing the bleeding. They can cauterize it such as with a cautery stick to stop the bleeding.
Another possibility, although I think less likely, is that there could be an infection behind the ear drum, and it burst and is oozing blood. Given that you have not described pain or upper respiratory infection I think this is far less likely.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Most likely trauma + anticoagulant.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Your speculation that it is a combination of trauma to the ear canal such as from scratching, plus the anticoagulant keeping the bleeding going is very likely.
I wouldn't use ice, but keeping pressure on the area with tissue is a good idea.
However, if there is a lot of blood, and it is not stopping, it is time to go to the urgent care or ER. Even on the Plavix, I would expect it to have stopped bleeding by now.
In the urgent care or ER, they can have a look to see the extent of laceration that is causing the bleeding. They can cauterize it such as with a cautery stick to stop the bleeding.
Another possibility, although I think less likely, is that there could be an infection behind the ear drum, and it burst and is oozing blood. Given that you have not described pain or upper respiratory infection I think this is far less likely.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
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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