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Ear discharge

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Definition:

An ear discharge is drainage of blood, ear wax , pus, or fluid from the ear.

Alternative Names:

Drainage from the ear; Otorrhea; Ear bleeding; Bleeding from ear

Considerations:

Most of the time, fluid leaking out of an ear is ear wax. (For more information of this topic, see the article on ear wax .)

However, discharge may also be caused by minor irritation or infection. A ruptured eardrum can cause a white, slightly bloody, or yellow discharge from the ear. Dry crusted material on the child's pillow is often a sign of a ruptured eardrum.

Bleeding from the ear may also be due to injury, cancer, or a foreign object in the ear canal.

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:
  • Otitis externa
  • Otitis externa - chronic
  • Otitis externa - malignant
  • Otitis media
  • Otitis media - chronic
  • Mastoiditis
• 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 and other skin irritations in the ear canal can cause some bleeding

References:

Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. St Louis, Mo; Mosby; 2005:2867-2871.

Behrman RE. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders: 2004; 2127.

• Review Date: 2/19/2007
• Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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