Types of ear discharge: causes & treatment

What is ear discharge?

Ear discharge affects both children and adults. It’s crucial to remember that different types of ear discharge often indicate different causes. Ultimately, it’s worth getting clued up on them all to know what to look out for and what you might encounter while suffering from otorrhea.

The most common types of ear discharge include:

• Wax

• Pus

• Cloudy fluid

• Blood

• Water

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

• Cholesteatoma

A lot of the time, ear discharge signals infection or damage to the ear itself. If your ear discharge has come on following a head injury, you should seek emergency medical attention right away.

What are the symptoms?

Along with drainage from the ear, people with otorrhea tend to experience a few accompanying symptoms, depending on the underlying cause. These include:

• Ear pain or discomfort

• Fullness or pressure in the affected ear

• Partial hearing loss in the affected ear

• Dizziness or feeling unsteady on foot

• High temperature or fever

If you notice any of the above signs, as well as leakage, please see a medical professional to determine the root cause of your ear discharge.

What are the causes?

In most cases, ear discharge is simply earwax making its way out of your body. This is natural and nothing to worry about. However, infection or trauma to the ears can also produce discharge.

Overall, the most common causes of ear discharge are:

• Excess earwax

• Ear infection

• Swimmer’s ear

• Perforated eardrum

• Cholesteatoma

• Mastoiditis

• External trauma, e.g. direct injury to the head or ear

You’re more likely to develop ear discharge if you swim regularly, are prone to ear infections, have recently had a cold or the flu, or are diabetic. Feel at risk of ear discharge? Speak to your GP about preventative treatments.

What are the different types?

Ear discharge, or otorrhea, can present in various forms, each indicative of different underlying causes. Here are some common types of ear discharge:

Watery discharge

Watery ear discharge is often associated with conditions like swimmer's ear or excessive moisture in the ear canal. It can also result from conditions affecting the middle ear. If you're experiencing persistent watery discharge, it's advisable to seek medical attention. Proper diagnosis and treatment can help address the specific cause, providing relief and preventing potential complications.

Clear discharge

Clear ear discharge is often associated with conditions like allergies, changes in altitude, or simple irritation. It may not necessarily indicate infection but should be monitored, especially if it persists.

Bloody discharge

Blood-tinged ear discharge can result from trauma, injury, or infections. It's crucial to consult a healthcare professional promptly to determine the cause and initiate appropriate treatment.

Yellow or green discharge

Yellow or green ear discharge is commonly linked to bacterial or fungal infections. It may be accompanied by other symptoms like pain and hearing loss. Seeking medical attention is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Pus-like discharge

Pus in the ear discharge is often a sign of infection, such as otitis media or an external ear infection. Professional medical assessment is necessary to identify the specific infection and prescribe appropriate medications.

Ear wax discharge

Ear wax is a natural substance that helps protect the ear canal. Sometimes, an excessive buildup can lead to a wax discharge. Regular ear cleaning by a healthcare professional can help manage this condition.

What treatments are available?

Treatment of your ear discharge will depend on its cause. You may even find that your condition won’t need medical treatment at all.

Sometimes, however, more serious instances of otorrhea require a stronger course of action, such as:

• Antibiotics or steroids

• Eardrops or tablets to treat infection

• A warm compress (applying to the affected ear can provide much-needed pain relief)

• Onward referral to a specialist, who will determine the need for further tests and/or treatment

Please refrain from trying to clean out the discharge yourself using cotton buds or anything similar, and bear in mind that surgery may be an option if the ear discharge is found to stem from a particularly nasty problem with your eardrum.