What should I do if there are blood spots in my ear?

If you notice blood spots inside the ear, first examine whether they consist of dried, crusted blood or fresh, liquid blood.

Dried Blood Crusts:

If the blood spots appear as dried crusts, gently wipe them using a sterile cotton swab moistened with normal saline.

Liquid Blood:

If the blood spots are fresh and liquid, simply use a sterile cotton swab to gently wipe them away. During cleaning, avoid inserting the swab too deeply into the ear canal. Movements should be gentle and slow to prevent injury to the ear. After thoroughly removing the blood spots, observe for signs such as hearing loss, persistent otorrhea (ear discharge), or continued bleeding.

After cleaning, re-examine the area where the blood spots were located: check for any obvious wound and whether active bleeding persists. If bleeding continues, seek immediate care at a nearby clinic for wound management, followed by prompt medical evaluation. Even in the absence of an obvious wound, timely hospital evaluation is essential to rule out potential ear canal injury or tympanic membrane damage.