Otorrhea is the medical term for any fluid drainage or discharge that comes out of the ear. It is a symptom of an underlying issue, such as an external or middle ear infection (including ruptured eardrums), trauma, or, less commonly, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. It can range from thin, watery, or pus-like to bloody fluid.

What causes ear discharge in children?

Most of the time, any fluid leaking out of an ear is ear wax. A ruptured eardrum can cause a white, slightly bloody, or yellow discharge from the ear. Dry crusted material on a child's pillow is often a sign of a ruptured eardrum. The eardrum may also bleed.

Will otorrhea go away on its own?

If the otorrhea comes from a ruptured eardrum, it will often resolve on its own. If the eardrum doesn't heal on its own or appropriately, a tympanoplasty (eardrum reconstruction) may be needed to repair the eardrum.

Can an ear infection cause headaches?

Some ear infections can cause headaches. Blockages in the ear, such as from infection, could account for your headache. If an object or impacted wax is blocking your ear, though, this could be the problem instead.

Can an ear infection harm a fetus?

For example, ear infections can sometimes be a sign of a bacterial infection, which can be dangerous for a pregnant person as well as the developing fetus. If you are pregnant and experience symptoms such as severe pain or discharge from the ear, you should seek medical attention right away.

Something worth hearing: An expert on ear infections and discharge - Online interview

What is the sock trick for ear infection?

Salt Sock: Heat a sock filled with clean salt and place it against the affected ear to help soothe pain. Consult a Healthcare Provider: If symptoms persist for more than a couple of days, worsen, or are accompanied by high fever, it's essential to seek medical attention.

How to know if an ear infection has spread to the brain?

The deadliest complication of otitis media is a brain abscess, an accumulation of pus in the brain due to an infection. The most common symptoms are headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, neurologic deficits and altered consciousness.

What are the red flags of an ear infection?

Symptoms of a middle ear infection

a high temperature (fever) being sick. a lack of energy. slight hearing loss – if the middle ear becomes filled with fluid.

What can be mistaken for an ear infection?

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. TMJ disorders can be incredibly uncomfortable, often causing a variety of symptoms that can sometimes be mistaken for other conditions, including ear infections.

How serious is otorrhea?

Otorrhea refers to ear drainage, and it's caused by many different things. Most of the time, it's the result of an ear infection or ruptured eardrum. It usually goes away in a few days with treatment. In some instances though, otorrhea can mean you have another serious health issue.

What does otorrhea look like?

Ear discharge (otorrhea) is drainage from the ear. The drainage may be watery, bloody, or thick and whitish, like pus (purulent). Depending on the cause of the discharge, people may also have ear pain, fever, itching, vertigo, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and/or hearing loss.

Does otorrhea always require antibiotics?

Provided there is neither systemic infection nor serious underlying disease, there is no need for systemic antibiotics. If symptoms do not improve an ENT referral for aural microsuction is appropriate. Patients with severe pain may require admission.

Can a dirty pillow cause an ear infection?

One of the easiest ways to prevent ear infections is to change your pillowcase daily. Sounds a little weird, right? Surprisingly, there is a strong link between dirty pillows and ear infections.

When is ear discharge serious?

Fluid from your ear may be caused by middle or outer ear infections, damage to the ear drum, a foreign body in your ear or a more serious infection or injury. See your doctor if you notice any fluid leaking from your ear, especially if you have a fever, hearing loss or dizziness or if your ear is red and swollen.

How did my kid get an ear infection?

Childhood Ear Infections Explained

If your child has a sore throat, cold, or an upper respiratory infection, bacteria can spread to the middle ear through the eustachian tubes (the channels that connect the middle ear to the throat). In response to the infection, fluid builds up behind the eardrum.

What is Stage 3 ear infection?

Ear Infection Stages

Stage 3: Chronic Otitis Media - This stage involves persistent fluid buildup in the middle ear and may result in long-term hearing loss if left untreated.

What warrants an urgent ENT referral?

When to refer: If the patient complains of food sticking or pain on swallowing, particularly pain referred to the ear, refer to the urgent ENT clinic. Refer if there is ulceration of the pharynx or a neck lump. Other factors raising the index of suspicion are age over 40, smoking, alcohol abuse and weight loss.

Can an ear infection be cancerous?

In past decades, many people who reported having 20 to 30 years of infection and drainage from chronic middle ear infections later developed cancer in the middle ear or mastoid. This was because the infections often went untreated.

What is a life threatening ear infection?

Malignant otitis externa is a potentially life-threatening progressive infection of the external ear canal causing osteomyelitis of the temporal bone and adjacent structures.

What are the first signs of brain infection?

Symptoms of encephalitis vary depending on the affected area of the brain, but often include headache, sensitivity to light, stiff neck, mental confusion and seizures.

Can bacteria go from ear to brain?

Bacteria or other pathogens can travel from the ear to the brain through the blood. Infection spreads directly from the ear to the brain through bony structures. Bacteria are carried through the blood from the ear to the brain.

What is the cup trick for earache?

Put the paper in the bottom of the cup and ask a flight attendant to make the napkins damp with hot water. (Airline crew will have hot water on hand if they serve tea and coffee.) Then put the open end of the cup over your ear. Await sweet relief.

What's an old fashioned remedy for earache?

Home remedies that may help alleviate earache include applying an ice pack or warm cloth, consuming garlic, using ear drops, taking pain relief medication, and using olive oil or hydrogen peroxide. Chewing gum may help ears pop. Applying ginger juice to the outside of the ear may help with pain relief.

How to encourage an ear infection to drain?

If you're an adult with a middle ear infection, elevating the affected ear makes it easier for the infection to drain out. So, sleep on your other side or tuck a few extra pillows under your head if sleeping on your back.

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