When people think of common locations for bruises, the ear is not typically at the top of the list. Nevertheless, a person can bruise their outer ear due to pressure, injury, or trauma. The discoloration is the result of bleeding under their skin. However, at times, an ear bruise can be a sign of an underlying condition, such as an infection, skull fracture, or clotting disorder. As a result, any ear bruise that does not go away on its own in a few days should be examined by a doctor.
Primary Causes of Ear Bruises
Anyone with this contusion wants an ear bruise explanation because they want to know how it happened and how to treat it. When a person looks up information on ear bruises, they will see the primary and secondary causes of these bruises. A traumatic injury to the ear brought on by an injury, blunt force, or direct impact leads to traumatic ear bruising. The individual may have an auricular hematoma where blood gathers between the skin and the cartilage of the ear, and this type of bruise is common in individuals who play contact sports.
Secondary Causes of Ear Bruises
Secondary causes of ear bruises should also be known. When a person has a possible skull fracture, they may develop battle sign or bruising behind the ear. At times, people develop bruises spontaneously and do not know where they came from. Often, these bruises are the result of a blood disorder or a medication they are taking.
When Should a Person See Their Doctor for an Ear Bruise?
Minor bruises typically don’t require anything other than home care. Apply a cold compress to the bruise to see if it relieves the swelling and discoloration. It will take some time for the compresses to work, but Improvement should be seen in a day or two. If there is severe swelling or if this rapidly intensifies, see a doctor immediately. The same holds if the bruises are extremely painful or if you notice any discharge coming from the ear.
An ear bruise accompanied by hearing changes requires seeing a doctor right away. An ear bruise should never be accompanied by blurry vision, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness. If there are signs of infection, such as fever or warmth, it’s time to see a doctor. A bruise that lingers for more than a few days is a cause for concern. When the ear is visibly deformed, the cartilage is exposed, or there is a large laceration, head to the doctor for medical treatment. There may be underlying damage that is not visible but could lead to complications.
Diagnosing an Ear Bruise
When someone says an ear bruise needs to be diagnosed, people may look at them strangely. It’s a bruise. However, the doctor needs to know whether there’s anything else going on that isn’t readily apparent. In addition to physically inspecting the ear, they may perform a neurological assessment to determine whether there’s brain involvement. If there are any concerns, they will order imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI. Lab tests may be performed, including a complete blood count, and the patient’s blood pressure may be checked. If the doctor suspects an infection or meningitis, they will order a lumbar puncture.
Treating an Ear Bruise
If an individual is dealing with nothing more than a bruise, treating the injury is relatively easy. Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the area every one to two hours. Leave this ice pack in place for 10 to 15 minutes, and continue for the first day following the injury. When sleeping, try to sleep on the side away from the bruised ear to help it heal.
Peppermint oil may help soothe any pain and inflammation associated with the bruise. The individual should get as much sleep as possible to allow the ear to heal and reduce any strain on it. Rest is essential to a full recovery. Anyone experiencing headaches with the ear bruise should limit their caffeine intake, and patients should always alert their doctor if any new symptoms appear, as there may be something else going on.
