What are the causes of ear discharge? 

Ear discharge occurs  when   infections in various parts of the ear cause secretions .

 Causes:

*Otitis externa : Infection involving external ear.

Furuncle/boil 

Otomycosis :fungal infection

*Acute otitis media
Pus gets trapped behind ear drum and the pressure may cause the drum to rupture  and pus mixed with blood gets released  .

This generally occurs after untreated cold for a period of 5 to 7 days.

Accompanied by fever and earache.
Rupture of ear drum occurs with decrease of pain and pus  with  bloody discharge.

Chronic otitis media

When  ear infection causes persistent  discharge for more than 12 weeks.Ear may be discharging for years .

This often presents with ear drum perforation   and reduced hearing. .

*Otitis media with effusion

Generally  associated with allergic rhinitis ,adenoiditis ,Tonsillitis. In this case a sticky discharge occurs.

*CSF Otorrhoea

Following head injury  if the junction between  your ear and brain is breached the brain fluid may leak.

Potentially serious condition with a risk of meningitis .

Types of ear discharge:

*Watery:CSF Fluid covering  the brain
*Mucoid:Middle ear goblet cells are the source .Indicates ear drum perforation.This is sticky like the goo which comes out of your nose ,when you have a cold.
*Pus:Otitisexterna/furuncle/infected fungal  infection ,squamous type of Chronic otitis  media.
*Pus+mucus:Infected mucus,indicates ear drum perforation  .Chronic otitis media mucosal  type when there occurs ear drum perforation.
*Pus+blood:squamous type of Chronic otitis  media potentially serious and needs urgent management.

*Pus+mucus+blood.:Chronic otitis media mucosal  type with granulation.
Potentially serious and needs urgent management.

What are the  important  investigations you should do?

*Otoendoscopy :A  chance for you to Visualize the inside of your own ear and see the problem.Done by a trained ENT surgeon.

*Pure tone audiometry: PTA  helps to assess diminished hearing which can occur due to ear discharge.Prolonged discharge gradually erodes the small bones ,responsible for sound transmission .

*Tympanometry: Ear drum  problems like thinned drum,perforated drum is diagnosed . You can also detect fluid behind an intact drum.

*HRCT temporal bone:This is a computed tomography of your ear bone and helps detect ,how far the disease has progressed .Involvement  of brain can also be assessed

What are the options for treatment for discharging ear? 

Treatment  may be:
*Surgical:Chronic Otitis media squamous type( having cholesteatoma and granulations)
*Medical:Acute otitis media,Otomycosis, furuncle of ear.
*Surgical+Medical:Chronic otitis media

What are the other complaints associated with ear discharge? 

*Swelling  behind the ear : post aural abscess
*Partial or complete loss of hearing.

Earache: more common in acute otitis media, ear furuncle,fungal ear infection.Less common in chronic otitis media. If earache occurs in Chronic otitis media it’s considered  a dangerous  sign.

*Dizziness

*Ringing sound in ear:Tinnitus

*Acute and chronic mastoiditis

Infection and inflammation of the Mastoid bone.
*Post aural fistula:Opening in the skin behind the ear connecting with the Mastoid bone.(This occurs in Chronic otitis media eroding the bone .)

*Accompanying signs such as fever and headache often indicating potential  involvement  of the brain.

• Meningitis
• Brain abscess
• Other intracranial  complications.

*Facial palsy :Disease can cause involvement of the facial nerve.Deviation of mouth,difficulty closing eye,problem with chewing,eating,blowing ,puffing.

Treatment  depends on the exact cause 

Often ear discharge is a symptom  ignored for long.
Avoidance of the problem will put you at risk of serious complications including, permanent  hearing loss.

What other queries do you have about ear? Let me know  

Disclaimer: Health info is meant for educational purposes only and should not be confused as professional medical advice.