Bleeding from ear (photos)

[Eggyhair]

My 12 Yr old has been moaning about a sore spot that comes and goes in her ear.

She wears earphones a lot, so assumed she'd scratched it, as couldn't see anything.

This evening she came down saying her ear was bleeding.

I took a photo to see close up and it was coming from a lump. After I'd cleaned her, the lump looked a bit deflated.

I'm hoping it's just a boil, but read some scary other things on Google.

That definitely looks like a boil that's popped. Is that just within her ear canal? I'd give her earbuds a miss until that heals to be honest.

Bathe it in a cooled salt water solution often.

I wondered if it was a boil, don't know whether to go to A&E, as it goes the other side into the canal further.

It's at the fleshy bit that goes deeper into the canal.

If she's otherwise well don't go to A&E.
Keep it clean and if it's no better by Monday ring your GP.

I'd ring 111 and see what they advise - i'd reckon they'll treat with antibiotics so if she were mine i'd want them in her asap.

@iusedtobeasize8 Thank you. My sister saw the photos and scared me, saying it needed to be seen urgently, in case it affects her balance. DD said she feels fine and she hasn't got a temperature. The photos probably look worse as they're magnified/

I would worry more about it being a potential infection close to her brain. I think you need to phone 111.

@CindersAgain thank you

Sorry to sound dramatic. I’m sure some antibiotics will sort it out if needed.

It does look like some sort of boil or cyst.

I'd carefully give it a clean, disinfect and thoroughly clean the headphones she's using (and get her to get in the habit of regularly cleaning them properly).

To be honest i'd probably take her to see a pharmacist who might be able to offer something OTC or advise, but obviously if she's unwell otherwise or has a fever etc then 111 or a call to the GP on Monday.

Anywhere else on the body I'd just clean with salt water and monitor but that has the potential to be really nasty so I'd ring 111.

I'd get that looked at.

I'm a retired nurse and I'd be getting that looked at tonight if it was my child. It's red, angry and bleeding with two holes where it's burst from the looks of things.

Can you take a photo of her whole ear to see the scale better?

Not to scare you at all, but I looked after an elderly man who actually got meningitis that all started from a normal ear infection. So just keep an eye it doesn't go funny as would need antibiotics

Having read everyone's responses, I'd say a call to 111 is a good response.

Hope your DD's ok!

@AutisticLegoLover I'm waiting to hear back. I've cleaned it with salt water and DD has gone upstairs, she says she fells fine at the moment.

I've uploaded a photo of her ear like you've asked.

I hope the call back quickly. My son had terrible ear infections, he would be in agony they came on fast. We alway was see at the hospital via 111

Based on the photos and the fact she doesn’t have a temperature, feel unwell or have balance issues (and it’s not far down the ear), I would definitely not being going to A&E with that.

Keep it clean and see what happens is what I’d do. It looks like spot from earphone use.

@SimplyTurquoise it does look more dramatic in the magnified photos. The blood was also pretty dramatic (I couldn't see where it was coming from to start with).

It looks far better in these photos than the close ups. I'm glad you're seeking advice though and hope it doesn't get worse. They'd love this on Sporners Corner!

I get something similar to those with my hearing aids occasionally, especially if it’s warm. They can get sore and itchy then pop and go down.
The pharmacist gave me a spray which is pretty much vinegar. Works well, s,ells awful.

Obviously get it checked properly though.