Ear discharges/bleeding

Ear discharges/bleeding

Definition:

Drainage from the ear -- the involuntary exodus of blood, ear wax, pus, or fluid from the ear.

Alternative Names:

Drainage from the ear; Otorrhea

Considerations:

Ear wax accounts for most ear discharges. However, they may also be caused by minor irritation or infection. Ear wax serves as a protective lining for the ear canal. It is almost never a problem unless attempts are made to "clean" the ear canals; if done improperly the ear canal can become blocked. Taking warm showers or washing the outside of the ears with a warm, moist washcloth usually helps prevent the build-up of wax.

A ruptured eardrum in a child who has been complaining of ear pain is often demonstrated by a white, slightly bloody or yellow discharge from the ear. Dry crusted material on the child's pillow is often an indication of a ruptured eardrum.

Don't get alarmed over a ruptured eardrum. Eardrum rupturing is the first sign of the healing process. Antibiotics, as prescribed by the doctor, can help prevent further infection during the healing process. Children will usually heal completely within a few weeks.

Common Causes:

Swimmer's ear
- usually accompanied by itching, scaling, a red or moist ear canal and pain increased by moving the ear lobe
inflammation or infection
injury from a blow to the head, foreign object, very loud noises, or sudden pressure changes such as in airplanes; resulting in a ruptured or perforated eardrum
eczema or some other skin irritation in the ear canal which can cause some bleeding

Home Care:

To be safe, never put anything in the ear smaller than the tip of your little finger.

Treat inflammation or infection as advised by your health care provider. Often, local treatment with ear drops is recommended.

A gentle, warm water flush using a syringe (available at the drug store) can be helpful to remove packed-down ear wax. Do not attempt to remove impacted ear wax in very young children. If impacted, blackened ear wax can be easily seen and retrieved in older children, do so carefully; NEVER use sharp objects to attempt to remove wax.

Seek medical help for injury from a foreign object, noises or pressure changes, head injury, or a suspected clotting or bleeding problem.

For swimmer's ear (unless the eardrum is perforated):

tilt the head sideways, with the water-filled ear up.
pull the ear upward and backward.
carefully squeeze into the ear a medicine-dropper full of rubbing alcohol, or a mix of half rubbing alcohol and half white vinegar. This mixture will dry out the ear, and kill any bacteria or fungus.
wiggle the ear to move the solution all the way down.
then, retilt the head so that the affected ear is now down, and let the fluids drain out.

Note: Putting a little mineral oil or baby oil in each ear before swimming may help prevent the problem.

Call your health care provider if:

the discharge is white, yellow, or bloody or if the discharge is the result of an injury.
the ear discharge has lasted more than 5 days.
there is severe pain or if the discharge is associated with other symptoms such as fever or headache.
loss of hearing

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting ear drainage in detail may include:

time pattern
- When did it begin?
- How long has the ear been draining?
- Does it drain all the time or off-and-on?
quality
- Is the drainage clear?
- Is the drainage bloody?
- Does the drainage look like pus?
other
- What other symptoms are also present?
- Is there a fever?
- Is there an earache?
- Is there a headache?

The physical examination will include a detailed examination of the ears. Diagnostic tests that may be performed include a culture (and cytology or cell studies) testing of drainage.

Intervention:
Corticosteroid and antibiotic preparations that are placed in the ear canal may be prescribed. Oral antibiotics will usually be given if a ruptured eardrum is causing the discharge.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to ear drainage, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.

Review Date: 8/21/2001
Reviewed By: Ashutosh Kacker, M.D., Department of Otolaryngology, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.