Draining From the Ear
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Discharge from the external ear
Liquid draining from the ear
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Content updated on Jan 4, 2023
About the symptom
Otorrhea, or ear discharge, is any fluid that comes from the ear. It's usually caused due to infection.
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Fever
Possible causes
- Otitis media
Infection of the middle ear (area just behind the eardrum) by bacteria or viruses. Although the cause is an infection, risk factors include blocked nose, allergies and smoke exposure.
Related serious diseases
- Perforated tympanic membrane
A hole in the eardrum. It is usually caused by direct injury (e.g ear digging with buds or a slap to ear), but can also be caused by infections in the middle ear.
Questions your doctor may ask about this symptom
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom
Do you have ear discharge?
Do you have ear pain?
Do you have a fever?
Have you ever felt dizzy with ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or deafness?
Do you have problems focusing or a reduced sense of awareness in your surroundings?
Other Related Symptoms
Similar symptoms or complaints
Symptoms from the same body system / part
Symptoms treated by the same specialty
References
Otorrhea: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-80691-0_14
Acute otitis media in adults
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/acute-otitis-media-in-adults?search=otorrhoea
Ear infections
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ear-infections/
Turner JS JR. Otalgia and Otorrhea. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd ed. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 122. PMID: 21250071.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK227/
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD
Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN)
National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan