"Is that BLOOD coming from your ear?"

[Tractor Tom]

Was diving in Kingston, Ontario on the wrecks last weekend. I had been looking forward to it for several months. First wreck was the George T. Davies in 93 feet of water. On the way down, both my buddy and I had problems with our ears. At about 60' I had a sharp pain building in my right ear, so I eased up the line a little ways (perhaps 15 feet or so) and equalized several times while waiting for my buddy to get down to me. I felt no further discomfort and enjoyed the dive a great deal. After a normal ascent and a 5 minute safety stop, I was on the boat when one of the other divers commented that I had blood coming out of my ear! First time that's happened to me. I cleaned the ear well, and continued to dive. One more that day and two a day for the next two days, six dives in all over the long weekend. I was leaving blood spots on my pillow at night, and even today, it began bleeding a bit while I worked in the yard after getting home. I think I'll stop in and see the doctor this week and talk with him and have him take a good look at my ears. I'm not too concerned about the small amount of blood, and the ear seems to be working fine. Am I being stupid here? Should I be more concerned about this? I expect I ruptured a small blood vessel in my ear canal and it is not healing all that quickly....

 

[Boogie711]

I'm not a Dr, and I don't play one on TV, and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night... BUT...

It sounds to me like you, sir, suffered some form of barotrauma. Actually, I'd be willing to bet money you did.

This isn't a trivial manner. I would definitely see a medical professional - if not an ENT specialist, at least see your GP. I would also consider calling DAN. That's what they're there for.

 

[scubasean]

Your ears are important...Don't let them get harmed due to lack of desire to see a physician.

See a doctor...

 

[rmediver2002]

Hopefully you are right, and it was something in your outer ear canal but if you look at your dive profile it would seem to suggest otherwise...

The fact that you had trouble clearing and then had complete relief would be indicitive of a barotrama injury (you may have blow your eardrum)

This alone if properly cared for is not that usually that big a deal, it will usually heal enough to begin diving again after about two weeks. (of course after a follow up evaluation to ensure the perforation has healed)

The big risk your running with any follow on diving after the injury is contamination / infection of the middle ear or worse the inner ear space.

I would most definately advise you consult a ENT specialist about it and afford the injury (what ever the injury is) adequate time to recover before continueing diving.

Hope everything is alright, let us know how it turns out.

Jeff Lane

 

[medical1]

Make an appointment with an ENT today. Your ears & hearing are too important to wait on and hope it gets better. Much better to be cautious!

 

[zeN||]

As a medical worker I personally avoid doctors unless it's mandatory, bleeding from the ears after diving is mandatory! zeN

 

[Dr Deco]

Basically we only bleed when we are cut. When we bleed in the absence of an obvious reason, one should inquire as to why.

Dr Deco
:doctor:

 

[Debbraey]

How are you?? Have you concidered everyone's suggestions yet?? I agree with them, hearing is far to precious to play with..I read in one of the threads above "run not walk to your nearest ENT" I 2nd that..Forget your MD go straight to an ENT..They specialize in that area and will be able to help and direct you emmidiately without referring you to yet another doctor of a different specialized doctor...Good LUCK!! Keep us updated

 

[Tractor Tom]

...seems that my family doctor has decided to take a week off, just as I get back from my diving trip, with this little 'problem' of mine. I have a call in to his back-up (another doctor in the same office) to see if I can get in and get checked. In the mean time, for what it's worth, I'm in no discomfort and having an eventful day at work.

Thanks for the prodding, I'll post again when I find something out about the ear.

(funny thing about us old farmers, we tend to not get excited about a little blood, even if it's coming from a body cavity or orfice.....seems I'm always getting 'dinged up' and bleeding from one extremity or another.)

 

[medical1]

This is not like your arm getting stuck in the combine machine & just stitchin it up:fork:

Blood oozing out is a good sign that "Sumpin aint right" and yalllll need to see the doc right quick

Seriously though - I wouldn't bother with your General Practioner. Call an ENT Specialist (TODAY) and explain the problem. Mention the blood coming out of your ear and chances are they will want to see you VERY quickly.

or wait -

bouncing into walls because of a serious inner ear infection can be fun - teaches you how to walk when your drunk

Good luck either way