What should I do if my eardrum is ruptured?

The eardrum is the protective membrane inside the ear, also called the tympanic membrane. If the eardrum is traumatized by the outside world, it will rupture. After a rupture, the eardrum can be repaired surgically, but this operation is relatively complicated, so we remind everyone to be careful not to dig your ears randomly.

What to do if your eardrum is ruptured

1. If the injured person is conscious, let him lie on his side with his head tilted toward the bleeding side to allow the blood or cerebrospinal fluid to flow out.

2. Do not drop medicine into the ears or flush the external auditory canal casually to avoid accidentally bringing bacteria into the middle ear and causing otitis media. Before seeing a doctor, if there is dirt or foreign matter at the opening of the external auditory canal, you can wipe off the dirt with a 70% alcohol cotton ball and carefully remove the foreign matter with clean tweezers.

After the doctor confirms that the eardrum has ruptured, the patient should gently wipe the external auditory canal 1 to 2 times a day with a small amount of cotton wool rolled on a toothpick and dipped in 70% alcohol or 60-proof white wine, and then gently block the external auditory canal with a sterilized cotton ball to prevent dust from entering.

3. When a skull base fracture causes the eardrum to rupture, clear or bloody fluid may flow out of the external auditory canal. This fluid is cerebrospinal fluid, which is clinically called traumatic cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea.

At this time, do not try to stop the bleeding by blocking the external auditory canal. Just let it flow out naturally. Otherwise, it will cause pressure on the middle auditory canal and may also cause retrograde infection, allowing bacteria to enter the skull and cause greater harm. Should be sent to hospital for specialist treatment.

4. When the eardrum is ruptured, be careful not to pour water into the external auditory canal when washing your face, hair, or taking a bath. At the same time, try not to blow your nose or blow it as little as possible to prevent gas and mucus from entering the tympanic cavity through the Eustachian tube and causing otitis media.