EAR INJURY |
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General Information
DEFINITION--Ear injuries may include:
Contusion (bruising).
Laceration from a sharp instrument.
Injury to the eardrum or internal ear.
BODY PARTS INVOLVED
Skin of the ear.
Cartilage of the ear.
Perichondrium (thin membrane layer between the cartilage and skin).
Nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue.
Parts of the internal ear--eardrum, middle ear, inner ear.
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SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Contusion or laceration: Pain, swelling, bleeding and bruising of skin around the ear.
Internal injury: Loss of hearing, ringing in the ear, loss of equilibrium or bleeding from a ruptured eardrum.
CAUSES
Direct blow to the ear.
Accidental insertion of a sharp object into the ear.
Sudden, excessive changes in pressure.
RISK INCREASES WITH
Contact sports, especially wrestling or boxing.
Diving.
HOW TO PREVENTWear protective headgear for contact sports. Some ear injuries cannot be prevented.
WHAT TO EXPECT
APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE
Doctor's examination and treatment.
Emergency-room care for laceration or internal-ear injury.
Self-care during healing.
DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor, including consultation with an ear specialist or plastic surgeon if necessary.
X-rays of the skull to detect an accompanying skull fracture.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Chronic infection of the injured ear if the skin is broken from laceration or contusion.
"Cauliflower ear," resulting from repeated contusions with bleeding through soft tissues. The tissues under the skin and the lining of the ear cartilage thicken permanently. (There is no treatment for this condition--only prevention.)
Infection from contusion, laceration or other injury to the eardrum or other internal ear structures.
Temporary or permanent hearing loss.
PROBABLE OUTCOMEContusions and lacerations may require 10 to 14 days to heal. Sutures from lacerations are usually removed in about 10 days. Other types of ear injuries usually heal without complications if they are diagnosed and treated quickly. In some cases, hearing loss after injury is permanent.
HOW TO TREAT
NOTE -- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.
FIRST AID
Don't try to stop bleeding from inside the ear.
Don't allow the injured person to hit or thump the head to try to restore hearing.
Cover the external ear with a clean cloth or sterile bandage.
Apply an ice pack of ice cubes or chips in a plastic bag or moist towel.
Compress the area loosely with an elastic wrap. Don't wrap too tightly.
Keep the injured person in a partial reclining position while transporting him or her to an emergency facility.
CONTINUING CARE
FOR CONTUSIONS:
The doctor will aspirate blood between the skin and ear cartilage if needed. If swelling persists, multiple small incisions may prevent a cauliflower ear from developing.
Use ice packs or warm compresses to relieve discomfort.
Sleep with the head elevated with 2 pillows until symptoms subside.
Change bulky bandages often to keep them soft and protective. FOR LACERATIONS:
Your doctor must carefully repair the cut to prevent deformity.
Keep the wound dry and covered for 48 hours.
After 48 hours, replace the bandage when it gets wet.
When you change the bandage, apply a small amount of petroleum jelly or non-prescription antibiotic ointment to the bandage.
Ignore small amounts of bleeding. Control heavier bleeding by firmly pressing a facial tissue or clean cloth to the bleeding spot for 10 minutes.
MEDICATIONYour doctor may prescribe:
Antibiotics to treat infection.
Pain relievers.
ACTIVITYResume your normal activities as soon as you are able.
DIETDuring recovery, eat a well-balanced diet that includes extra protein, such as meat, fish, poultry, cheese, milk and eggs.
REHABILITATIONNone.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
You have any ear injury.
Any of the following occur after treatment:
Increased pain or pain that persists longer than 2 days.
Hearing loss.
Increased bleeding or swelling.
Signs of infection (headache, muscle aches, dizziness, fever, general ill feeling).
New, unexplained symptoms. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
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