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Original poster

***URGENT PLEASE HELP**** my son is bleednig from his ear

45 replies

Greensleeves · 17/09/2006 21:00

Hi, can anyone help me, my 3yo has been ill with what we thought was a cold/virus, he com,plained of earache today and we gave him clapol and tixylix - he went to bed about 6.30 (spent the whole day resting indoors (he has been screaming in pain for the last half hour, there is blood all over his sheet (about 6 spots of it, like 10p size) and blood encrusting the inside of his ear, he also says the pain is worse in his OTHER ear. I am frantic, if anyone has any experiences or idea PLEASE help. We have called NHS Direct and are waiting for a doctor to call us back

OP posts:
ledodgyrobespierre · 17/09/2006 21:00

It sounds like he may have burst his ear drum. Have you got an out of hours Gp you could take him too?

RTKangaMummy · 17/09/2006 21:01

can you get to A & E?

anniediv · 17/09/2006 21:02

Take him to A&E. I suspect NHS direct will advise you to do that anyway.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 17/09/2006 21:02

I'd take him to A & E. Sounds like burst ear drum or VERY nasty infection.

Is it also possible he could have shoved something down his ear?

I'd go to A & E, all the same.

ledodgyrobespierre · 17/09/2006 21:02

here's some info on burst eardrum to see if symptoms fit

morningpaper · 17/09/2006 21:02

Take him to A&E

FrannyandZooey · 17/09/2006 21:03

Burst ear drum Greeny, it is v painful, easily treatable with antibiotics and it heals by itself you just have to keep his ear out of water until it does

You need a doctor but not A + E IMO (although go if you feel you would rather)

JoolsToo · 17/09/2006 21:03

oh goodness! no idea greensleeves, ruptured eardrum? - hope he's ok!

mcmum · 17/09/2006 21:03

greensleaves

hope ds ok try not to panic sounds like burst ear drum of build up of infection take him to out of hours or a and e whatever closest good luck x

3littlefrogs · 17/09/2006 21:05

Keep him sitting up - that will ease the pressure in his ear. If you can get to A&E that would speed up a diagnosis. The triage nurse can look in his ear. He probably has an ear infection and the eardrum has burst. They do heal, but he probably needs antibiotics and decongestants. Does he have a high temp?

ggglimpopo · 17/09/2006 21:06

Message withdrawn

FrannyandZooey · 17/09/2006 21:07

I had this happen myself with an ear infection following a cold - the infection builds up behind your ear drum until the pressure gets too much and then your ear drum bursts - the infection drains out somewhat so you will see blood and pus. It feels f*ing horrible but the antibiotics start working quickly and the ear drum regrows over a couple of weeks - doesn't damage your hearing or anything long term.

HTH I posted very hastily at first but thought the extra information may be of use

I am sorry Poor little mite

Aero · 17/09/2006 21:11

Has he bumped his head at all? Just couldn't find mention of bleeding from ear when looking up perforated or burst ear drum.

I'd go to A&E tbh - better to be checked out for peace of mind.

Aero · 17/09/2006 21:14

Oh - just looked at link below - I stand corrected. Sounds more like an ear infection. Hope he feels better soon.

FrannyandZooey · 17/09/2006 21:15

Mine bled quite a bit when my ear drum burst. Not copious amounts but enough to make spots on the pillow. It was night time, and I had put some olive oil in my ear to soothe the earache, so I assumed the fluid I could feel was the oil trickling out. In the morning when it got light I was shocked to see spots of blood all over the pillow.

moomooland · 17/09/2006 21:16

My little one has recurrent ear infections. Last infection led to same symptoms as your little one. GP recommends giving junior nurofen and this seems to work faster than calpol. If any consolation, our doctor told me that pain normally eases a lot once eardrum bursts and releases the pressure. He's normally fine again within 24 to 48 hours. Hope you get to speak to doctor soon.

Original poster
Greensleeves · 17/09/2006 22:38

Have just got back from A&E with him - his eardrum has burst, and the other one is bulging ominously, apparently . H has had pain relief and is feeling very sorry for himself, but the doctor didn't want to give him antibiotics because he said it sounded more like a viral infection. So I am going to put him back to bed and just keep him indoors at home for a few days and hope the other one doesn't burst.

Thanks SO much to everyone who has posted on this thread, I am very very grateful - I was totally frantic, thinking it was a brain haemorrhage and all sorts of horrible things. Thank god he is all right.

OP posts:
anniediv · 17/09/2006 22:39

Greensleeves, I'm so glad he is okay and hope he recovers quickly.

Miaou · 17/09/2006 22:41

Oh what a worry greensleeves - all the best to your little ds and hope he feels better soon.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 17/09/2006 22:47

Im glad it is "simply" that, and that you are reassured. You did right to get him seen to.

I hope DS is on the mend soon

xxx

hunkermunker · 17/09/2006 22:50

Oh, Greeny

Am so glad he's OK - hope the other eardrum stays unburst and that he's back to his usual self in a very quick time. Sorry you had so much worry today

Aero · 17/09/2006 22:50

Glad you've had him checked - poor wee man. hope he feels miles better soon.

3littlefrogs · 17/09/2006 23:02

So glad he is a bit better. Do keep him propped up if you can - it really does reduce the pressure and the pain. hope he is completely better soon.

FrannyandZooey · 18/09/2006 08:05

Good lord I had never thought of a brain haemorrhage! I was sitting here being too polite to wonder why everyone was running about shrieking about A + E

So glad he is ok Greeny. Give him a cuddle from me

mcmum · 18/09/2006 11:18

greensleaves,

im really pleased it wasnt anything too serious and hope the little fella feels better soon lots of tlc xx