Noticing fluid draining from your ears can feel a little unnerving, but it isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm. Ear drainage, also referred to as otorrhea or ear discharge, is most commonly a symptom of an ear infection but may also result from swimmer’s ear, a foreign object in the ear or, less commonly, head trauma. Let’s take a look at each of these causes and what you can do to prevent them.
Ear Infections
Ear infections occur when a virus or bacteria infects the space behind the eardrum. When ear infections are coupled with sudden drainage of yellow or green fluid from the ear, the ear infection has likely caused the eardrum to tear or rupture. When functioning correctly, the Eustachian tube connecting your middle ear to the back of your throat regulates air pressure and prevents fluid from accumulating behind the eardrum. Ear infections can arise when the Eustachian tube is blocked or too small to effectively regulate pressure.
While ear infections can occur in adults, children have smaller Eustachian tubes that are more prone to blockage. Five out of six children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday. While ear infections can be painful and result in ear drainage, there is usually no reason for alarm. In the case of chronic ear infections, ear tubes are an effective treatment option.
Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear is another condition where fluid drainage can be a symptom. Swimmer’s ear occurs when excess water or moisture in the ear leads to bacterial growth. Similar to an ear infection, swimmer’s ear can cause infected fluid to drain from the ear. Mild swimmer’s ear will present with small amounts of drainage while more severe cases may lead to excessive fluid.
You can help prevent swimmer’s ear by avoiding high-bacterial swimming environments and drying your ears completely after a dip at Herbert Hasell Pool. Treatments may include medicated ear drops, antibiotics to fight infection, antifungal medications, cleaning and procedures to repair torn or ruptured eardrums.
Physical Damage
Foreign objects can cause tears in the skin of the ear canal and lead to the build-up and drainage of infected fluid. Physical damage to the ear can arise from sticking a foreign object like a cotton swab or finger in the ear or, less commonly, trauma to the head or outer ear. You can protect against damage to the ear canal by never placing anything larger than your elbow in your ear canal. If your ears require cleaning, it is always best to consult an ENT specialist for professional cleaning.
To learn more about ear drainage, contact Charleston ENT & Allergy today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.