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What Causes Ear Infection From Cold And Yellow Ear Discharge?

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Posted on Tue, 16 Jun 2015
Question: Hello Doctor,
I am a 19 year old female with a serious problem with a double ear infection on top of a headcold. As of recent, my ears have been foaming some sort or yellowish liquid during the night and at random intervals during the day, I have never seen or had this happen before and I am not sure what it is. Do my ears need to be reseen by my GP?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Harish Naik (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
acute otitis media

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your query.

I shall make an effort to provide you with good professional recommendations specific to your questions.
Symptoms of a middle ear infection (acute otitis media) often start 2 to 7 days after the start of a cold or other upper respiratory infection. Drainage from the ear that is thick and yellow or bloody. This means the eardrum has probably ruptured. The hole in the eardrum often heals by itself in a few weeks.

Most of the time, any fluid leaking out of an ear is ear wax. I advice you to see ENT specialist for physical examination and to look inside the ear, if required ear discharge sample can be taken and sent for lab. Doctor may prescribe you anti-inflammatory or antibiotic medicines which can be ear drops or oral medicine based on the examination. Hence i advice you to visit the ENT specialist for further help.

Yet again, I duly appreciate your query to me, I do hope that you have found something useful to help you and I shall be glad to answer any further apprehensions.

Sincerely,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Harish Naik (31 minutes later)
Can a salt water solution also work with cleaning out the wax? Or even olive oil?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Harish Naik (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
wax softening drops

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Good to hear from you.

Over-the-counter wax softening drops may be put into the affected ear and then allowed to drain out after about five minutes while holding the head to the side, allowing the drops to settle. Sitting up again will let the drops drain out by themselves. Ear candling is always be avoided.
It is difficult to say without examination whether it is wax or not, so it is better to see ENT specialist / doctor.

Hope i have cleared your queries. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Harish Naik

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2635 Questions

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What Causes Ear Infection From Cold And Yellow Ear Discharge?

Brief Answer: acute otitis media Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for your query. I shall make an effort to provide you with good professional recommendations specific to your questions. Symptoms of a middle ear infection (acute otitis media) often start 2 to 7 days after the start of a cold or other upper respiratory infection. Drainage from the ear that is thick and yellow or bloody. This means the eardrum has probably ruptured. The hole in the eardrum often heals by itself in a few weeks. Most of the time, any fluid leaking out of an ear is ear wax. I advice you to see ENT specialist for physical examination and to look inside the ear, if required ear discharge sample can be taken and sent for lab. Doctor may prescribe you anti-inflammatory or antibiotic medicines which can be ear drops or oral medicine based on the examination. Hence i advice you to visit the ENT specialist for further help. Yet again, I duly appreciate your query to me, I do hope that you have found something useful to help you and I shall be glad to answer any further apprehensions. Sincerely,