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Smelly And Bloody Ear Discharge. Getting Headache, And Lethargic With Hearing Loss. Any Cure?
I have daily smelly and bloody yellow/brown drainage from ear, bad headaches , and doctors in my area have been no help. I m constantly sick, lethargic, and afraid of a life threatening condition. I also have hearing loss and distortion and have to clean my ears everyday just to get rid of the smell and the painful headaches.
posted on
Thu, 28 Feb 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 28 Feb 2013
Answered on
Fri, 1 Mar 2013
Last reviewed on
Hello
Welcome in H.C.M.
I have gone through your query regarding ear discharge and headache along with hearing loss.
As you said that you have ear discharge which is fowl smelling and now mixed with blood , you are also having hearing loss , all these indicating for -
(!) cholesteatoma.
(2) Chronic otitis media with granulation.
To confirm it you should go for these basic investigations-
(1) C.T. scan of ear - HRCT
(2) culture and sensitivity of ear pus.
(3) Audiometery.
Beside this a through examination by ENT specialist to co-relate inferences of investigations to confirm the diagnosis and plan for treatment.
With Regards.
Welcome in H.C.M.
I have gone through your query regarding ear discharge and headache along with hearing loss.
As you said that you have ear discharge which is fowl smelling and now mixed with blood , you are also having hearing loss , all these indicating for -
(!) cholesteatoma.
(2) Chronic otitis media with granulation.
To confirm it you should go for these basic investigations-
(1) C.T. scan of ear - HRCT
(2) culture and sensitivity of ear pus.
(3) Audiometery.
Beside this a through examination by ENT specialist to co-relate inferences of investigations to confirm the diagnosis and plan for treatment.
With Regards.
I find this answer helpful
Hello, thanks for using Health Care Magic.
Smelly and bloody yellow drainage are typical of an ear infection particularly external otitis. However, the association of headaches and hearing loss implies that the middle and inner ear are also involved in the infection.
This is a serious condition because the complications are so devastating and include permanent reduced or loss of hearing, brain abscess, meningitis, etc.
You need to see an ENT immediately , culture and sensitivity test should be done, you HIV serology as well and while waiting to meet ENT you can start antibiotics like Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, mesh the ear with gauze to drain the pus constantly and use ear drop antibiotics. However the antibiotics could be change after culture and sensitivity.
Best regards and hope this helps you.
Dr, Achuo A. M.
Smelly and bloody yellow drainage are typical of an ear infection particularly external otitis. However, the association of headaches and hearing loss implies that the middle and inner ear are also involved in the infection.
This is a serious condition because the complications are so devastating and include permanent reduced or loss of hearing, brain abscess, meningitis, etc.
You need to see an ENT immediately , culture and sensitivity test should be done, you HIV serology as well and while waiting to meet ENT you can start antibiotics like Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, mesh the ear with gauze to drain the pus constantly and use ear drop antibiotics. However the antibiotics could be change after culture and sensitivity.
Best regards and hope this helps you.
Dr, Achuo A. M.
I find this answer helpful
3 Doctors agree with this answer
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