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Often when ear bleeding occurs, it can be mistaken for a physical injury caused by an earbud or a foreign object inside the ear. However, it should not be taken lightly. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Sathish Nair, Academic Head and Consultant – Skull Base Surgeon and ENT – Head & Neck Surgeon, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bengaluru, said, “Blood-stained ear discharge can be an alarming sign in children as well as adults. The most common causes are outer ear infections, foreign objects in the ear (in children) and injury due to earbuds. However, unsafe ear disease (cholesteatoma) or tumors and ear cancer can also cause blood-stained ear discharge.”
Also read: Hearing problems as you age: Things to know, their causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention tips
Incurable ear disease: what is it?
Blood-stained ear discharge can be a sign of incurable ear disease. “Incurable ear disease, also known as cholesteatoma, is an ear infection that has a tendency to destroy bones and spread to vital structures including the brain if left untreated. The problem usually begins in childhood as recurrent ear infections due to improper ventilation of the ear structures. If ignored, it can lead to the development of cholesteatoma which affects the hearing ability of the person and sometimes also causes complications like brain infection,” said Dr. Sathish Nair.
Also read: Earphones vs Headphones: Experts explain which is better and does using them all day affect ear health
Insect Ear Disease: Diagnosis
The diagnosis of unsafe ear disease is done in three steps – endoscopic evaluation, hearing evaluation and CT scan. The CT scan is the most important part of the diagnosis, as it shows the site of the disease and the involvement of vital structures or the presence of complications.
Also Read: Hearing loss: Causes, effects on adults and children, expert-recommended treatments
How to treat unsafe ear disease?
“Ear infections, ear injuries and foreign bodies in the ear can be treated with antibiotic ear drops and in-office removal of the foreign body or cleaning of the ear. However, in cases of cholesteatoma or ear tumors/cancer, surgery is the mainstay of treatment. Surgery plays a vital role in removing the disease as well as restoring normal ear function. Traditionally, ear surgery was performed using an open technique using a microscope,” explained Dr. Sathish Nair.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor for any questions about any medical condition.
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