Ear - Injury

Symptoms

DEFINITION

• Injuries to the outer ear, ear canal or eardrum

Types of Ear Injuries

• Bruises and scratches of outer ear
• Blood clot of outer ear
• Ear canal bleeding due to scratch of ear canal (caused by cotton swab, fingernail, or medical ear exam)
• Punctured eardrum due to long-pointed objects (caused by cotton swabs, pencils, sticks, straws, wires)

Should I Call?

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• You think your child has a serious injury
• Bleeding won't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure
• Skin is split open or gaping and may need stitches
• Outer upper ear is very swollen
• Pointed object was inserted into the ear canal
• Clear fluid is draining from the ear canal
• Walking is unsteady
• Severe pain
• Age under 1 year old

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If

• You think your child needs to be seen
• Few drops of blood from ear canal due to minor injury, cotton swab (Q-tip) or ear exam
• Injury causes an earache or crying that persists
• Hearing is decreased on injured side

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• No tetanus shot in over 5 years for DIRTY cuts (over 10 years for CLEAN cuts)
• You have other questions or concerns

Parent Care at Home If

• Minor ear injury and you don't think your child needs to be seen

Care at Home

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MINOR EAR INJURIES

1. Bleeding: Apply direct pressure for 10 minutes with a sterile gauze to stop any bleeding.
2. Cleansing: Wash the wound with soap and water for 5 minutes.
3. Antibiotic Ointment: Apply an antibiotic ointment to any cuts or scrapes. Cover large scrapes with a Band-Aid. Change daily.
4. Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen as necessary for pain relief.
5. Expected Course: Minor ear injuries heal quickly, usually in 2 or 3 days.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Pain becomes severe
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.