A cholesteatoma can be dangerous to your health if left untreated. This abnormal skin growth behind the eardrum can lead to serious complications by damaging crucial structures in the ear. Here’s what you need to know: Potential Complications: Facial Nerve Damage: This can lead to facial palsy. Hearing Bones Damage: This may cause deafness and tinnitus. Balance System Damage: This can result in dizziness or total loss of balance and hearing in that ear (known as a dead ear). Brain Risks: The bony barrier between the ear and brain can wear away, increasing the risk of severe infections. Infection Risks: Mastoiditis: Infection spreading into the mastoid bone. Brain Abscess or Meningitis: Infections spreading into the brain. Blood Vessel Blockage: Infection in the mastoid bone can block the main blood vessel, draining blood from the brain. Treatment: Surgical Removal: Nearly always recommended to prevent these dangerous complications. If you suspect you
Why is my Q-tip bleeding from my ear? It can be alarming if you've ever noticed blood on your Q-tip after cleaning your ears. Here are a few reasons why this might happen: 🚫 Avoid Inserting Q-tips Too Deep: The most common cause of bleeding is inserting Q-tips too far into the ear canal. This can lead to irritation, scratches, or even damage to the delicate ear tissues. 🩹 Ear Injuries or Scratches: Vigorous or improper cleaning can cause small injuries or scratches inside the ear canal. These injuries may result in bleeding when you use a Q-tip. 🩸 Ear Infections: Infections like otitis externa or swimmer's ear can make the ear canal more sensitive. Cleaning during an active infection can cause bleeding. 🔄 Wax Impaction: Excessive earwax can cause blockages, leading to a feeling of fullness and impaired hearing. Attempting to clean it out with a Q-tip may cause bleeding, especially if the wax is impacted. 👂 What to Do: Stop Q-tip Use: Refr