I felt a foreign object in my ear while cleaning it, so I scratched hard and ended up causing bleeding.

After bleeding occurs from digging the ear, it is important to immediately stop the digging behavior, promptly clean and stop the bleeding, avoid exposure to contaminated water, refrain from self-medicating, and closely monitor symptoms. Proper management can reduce the risk of infection. If there is significant or persistent bleeding, severe pain, or hearing loss, prompt medical attention is recommended.

1. Immediately stop digging: Continuing to dig may worsen damage to the ear canal skin or injure the eardrum. All contact with the ear canal should be stopped immediately to allow natural clotting and prevent secondary injury.

2. Promptly clean and stop bleeding: Gently wipe blood from the outer opening of the ear canal using a sterile cotton swab. Do not insert anything deep into the ear canal. Tilt your head toward the affected side to help drainage and stop bleeding via gravity. Avoid applying pressure to the ear canal.

3. Prevent contamination by dirty water: Keep the ear canal dry after bleeding stops. Use earplugs or waterproof stickers to cover the ear opening during showers or hair washing to prevent contaminated water from entering. Avoid swimming or diving temporarily.

4. Do not self-medicate: Avoid inserting antibiotic ear drops or ointments into the ear canal without medical advice. Inappropriate medication may irritate damaged mucosa and interfere with subsequent clinical diagnosis.

5. Monitor symptoms closely: Pay attention to the amount and duration of bleeding, as well as any worsening symptoms such as tinnitus, increased ear pain, or dizziness. Minor injuries typically heal on their own, but abnormal signs require timely medical intervention.

To prevent injury, avoid using fingernails, cotton swabs, or other sharp objects to dig the ears. For ear itching, gently wipe only the outer opening with a clean cotton swab. While regular earwax cleaning is advisable, avoid inserting objects into the ear canal. Keeping the ears clean and dry helps reduce the risk of injury.