Concern About Possible Eardrum Rupture
Hello everyone, I'm a 19-year-old male weighing 195 pounds, and I usually take two fluoxetine tablets every morning. I recently had an incident where I unintentionally touched my ear, which led to some bleeding that has now ceased. However, I noticed a yellowish substance while examining my ear with an ear camera. Could this be regular earwax, or is it more likely to be pus or some type of fluid?
Answers (1)
7/9/2025, 5:50:32 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you have some valid concerns regarding your ear and the possibility of a ruptured eardrum. Let's break it down:
Main Points
You experienced bleeding from your ear after touching it, and you're now seeing a yellowish substance. It's essential to determine whether this is typical earwax or a sign of an infection possibly related to eardrum damage.
Explanation
Bleeding from the ear can happen for a few reasons, including minor trauma (like touching or poking the ear), which can also lead to temporary irritation. The yellowish substance may simply be earwax, but it could also indicate an infection, especially if it's mixed with other symptoms (such as pain, discomfort, or drainage). If the yellowish material looks thick or has an unpleasant odor, that could suggest pus rather than regular wax.
Next Steps
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Observe Symptoms: Monitor your ear for any additional symptoms such as increased pain, fluid drainage, fever, or hearing changes. Note how long the foreign substance remains and any odor it may have.
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Avoid Further Irritation: Refrain from putting anything else in your ear, including cotton swabs or fingers, as this can worsen the situation or lead to further injury.
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Keep Ear Dry: If you are showering or swimming, be cautious to avoid getting water in the ear, which can aggravate infections.
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Document Changes: Keep track of any changes in your symptoms or the appearance of the substance over a few days to spot trends.
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Seek Evaluation: If you notice worsening symptoms (such as increased bleeding, worsening pain, or persistent drainage), consider seeking professional evaluation to check for any more serious issues, including potential eardrum rupture.
Stay calm as many ear issues can resolve on their own or be managed with proper care. Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to understand!
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