What Causes Liquid Discharge Form My Ear?

Posted on Wed, 1 Apr 2015

Question: I have been having drainage from my ear I went to the ear doctor he could not see anything wrong it drains at nighttime I have trouble with this ear for a lomng time

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
There must be some damage after the procedure done at that time.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. It is highly unusual for a normal ear to drain like that.

2. Get another ear examination done, preferably with a video oto-endoscope and upload the images of the ear canals and ear drums. This will help in an accurate assessment.

3. Sometimes a liquid wax discharge is mistaken for a ear drainage.

4. The presence of a mucoid discharge signifies that the discharge is from the middle ear through a ear drum perforation, which may be very tiny and escapes detection. An Impedance Audiogram can pick this up. This type of discharge can be a lot and drains more in the nighttime.

5. One possibility is the the area where the skin was clipped was laid bare, exposing bone. Osteitis (bone infection) is commonly accompanied by granulation tissue that weeps discharge.

6. All these changes can be easily detected by thorough ear examination and tests. A sample of the discharge can be sent for bacterial culture and sensitivity to antibiotics. Medicated ear drops may help.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (29 hours later)

Your reply has answered a lot of questions for me I have felt all along this is what happen my ear drainage is at night when I go to bed I never had before I went to the Doctor for wax in my ear he told he clipped some skin down in my ear and I feel it getting full in the evening and I thank you so much for your help and I will make an appointment with a ENT

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You may follow up here after the Specialist visit.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Yes, that is the best way forward for resolving this issue.

2. Let me know the findings after the visit to the ENT Specialist and the results of any investigations.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar