There are many causes of ear drainage. The most common type of ear drainage is cerumen, which keeps the ear clean and healthy. Blood, transparent fluid, and pus are other forms of drainage and discharge. These may show a ruptured eardrum or an ear infection
Ear discharge, also known as otorrhea, is any fluid that comes out of the ear. Most of the time, your ears leak earwax. This is an oil that your body produces naturally. The job of earwax is to make sure that dust, bacteria, and other foreign bodies don't get into the ear. However, other conditions, such as a ruptured eardrum, can cause blood or other fluids to drain from the ear. This type of discharge is a sign that your ear has been injured or infected and requires medical attention.
If people notice any bleeding in the ear because of a head injury, they should seek medical help immediately.
Pus or cloudy fluid coming out of the ear can be a sign of an ear infection in the ear canal or middle ear. The ear canal is the tube that connects the outer ear with the middle ear. A middle ear infection, which doctors may refer to as otitis media, can cause fluid to discharge from the ear. Ear infections can cause the eardrum to rupture in about 10 percent of cases. Drainage from the ear can also induce a ruptured eardrum. Ear infections can occur from a cold, the flu, or an ear injury. Some people are more likely than others to get frequent ear infections. People can also have the following signs if they have an ear infection:
An otoscope, which is an illuminated microscope, is used by a doctor to inspect the ear and attempt to determine the root source of the drainage. To illustrate how the eardrum moves in response to pressure, they may also use a pneumatic otoscope that creates a puff of air. Doing this can show if there is a buildup of fluid behind the eardrum. A test called tympanometry will assist doctors in assessing the middle ear's health. To perform this test, a doctor will insert a probe into the ear and assess how the middle ear responds to different pressure levels. During an ear exam, doctors may also perform a hearing test or use a tuning fork to assess hearing levels.
Doctors often prescribe antibiotics for some types of infection, which people can take by mouth or as ear drops, depending on the location of the infection in the ear. To help ease an earache, people can use a warm compress on the ear or take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen. A ruptured eardrum often heals without treatment in a few weeks to 2 months. People can help the healing process and prevent infection by keeping the ear dry and protecting it from loud noises and physical shocks. If an eardrum does not heal on its own, surgery may be needed to place a patch of new skin over the hole. A doctor can prescribe antibiotics to treat ear fluid. The use of a decongestant and an antihistamine in combination will help minimize congestion. If this treatment is not effective, the doctor may place an auditory tube through the middle ear to allow fluids to drain as usual.
Call your healthcare provider if:
While it may not be possible to prevent all causes of ear discharge, some tips can help protect your ear from damage, including:
Normal ear discharge includes water that comes out after getting out of a pool or shower and earwax. Earwax exists to protect your ear from dust and other foreign objects that can cause bacteria to build up.
Ear infections generally occur in your middle ear. They can be bacterial or viral. Infections are often painful due to inflammation and buildup. An ear infection can cause discharge and you may notice a bad smell.
Ear discharge (otorrhea) is drainage from the ear. The runoff, like pus, may be watery, bloody, or thick and whitish (purulent). Depending on the cause of the discharge, people may also have an earache, fever, itching, vertigo, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and/or hearing loss.
