Watery Discharge From Ear: Causes & Best Treatment

Photo by Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Watery Discharge From Ear!

Some ear secretions are normal for a healthy ear. Watery discharge may come from thin earwax, a hole in the eardrum, an ear infection, or a skin condition in the ear canal. An outer ear infection (swimmer’s ear) is a common cause.

Some discharge is normal, such as earwax (cerumen), which keeps the skin of the ear canal moist and protected. It helps trap germs and small objects before they go deeper into the ear.

Sometimes the amount of discharge increases, which can cause discomfort or muffled hearing. Earwax and other discharges from your ear can be red, dark brown, black, yellow, off-white, or clear. Clear, odorless ear discharge can be caused by recurrent childhood ear infections, an injury to your ear canal, a foreign body, or even an upper respiratory infection.

Causes of Watery Discharge From Ear

Discharge from the ear may be caused by a number of things, which are as given below:

Excessive Earwax

Earwax is a frequent cause of discharge from the ear. It protects the ear canal from water and infection, and it normally moves slowly out of the canal on its own.

Sometimes earwax builds up and blocks the ear canal. Softened wax can look runny as it drains.

Blood in ear

A minor injury or scratch in the ear canal can sometimes cause a small amount of blood to exit the ear. If a person has a ruptured (perforated) eardrum, they may see blood, pus, or fluid coming out of the ear. The eardrum sits between the ear canal and the middle ear, and it can tear, leaving a small hole.

An eardrum can rupture if:

Ear infection puts pressure on the ear
The loud sound is very close to the ear
A person puts something too far in the ear
A person experiences a sudden change in air pressure
An injury occurs, such as hitting the ear

A broken eardrum can cause the following symptoms:

Earache, then sudden relief
Fluid or discharge from the ear
Ringing in ears
Hearing loss in the affected ear

If people have any ear bleeding due to head injury, they should seek immediate medical attention.

Otitis media, a middle ear infection

Ear pus or cloudy fluid can be a sign of infection in the ear canal or middle ear. The ear canal is the tube between the outer ear and the eardrum. An infection of the middle ear, which doctors call otitis media, can cause fluid discharge from the ear.

A middle ear infection can cause the eardrum to burst, letting fluid drain out. A torn eardrum from an injury can also cause drainage. An ear infection can be caused by a cold, flu, or ear injury. Some people are prone to repeated ear infections. If people have ear infections, they may also have the following symptoms:

An earache
Fever
Nausea

Otitis Externa or Swimmer’s ear

A swimmer’s ear (also known as otitis externa) is an infection that causes pain and swelling of the ear canal, the tube between the outer ear and the eardrum. Symptoms can include itching, discharge, a red or moist ear canal, and pain that gets worse when the earlobe is moved.

Infection of the middle ear

Otitis media happens when bacteria or viruses grow in fluid trapped behind the eardrum, causing pain and pressure. When fluid stays behind the eardrum for a long time, it is sometimes called glue ear.

At-home treatments

Good ear care helps prevent infection. These tips can help while you deal with watery discharge from the ear.

Leave the ears alone: Earwax usually clears on its own, so most people don’t need to clean inside their ears.
Wipe, don’t dig: Gently wipe discharge from the outer ear with a clean cloth or cotton wool.
Ask before irrigating: MedlinePlus advises never to irrigate or use wax drops if the eardrum may have a hole in it or after recent ear surgery. With discharge or ear pain, check with a clinician first.
Keep water out: Don’t swim, and keep water out of the ear while it is infected or draining.
Avoid swabbing: Cotton swabs can push wax deeper into the ear or damage the eardrum.
Avoid ear candling: Ear candling has not been shown to work and can cause burns.
Avoid wax remover kits: These kits may contain sharp tools.

When to See a Doctor

See a doctor if discharge lasts more than a few days, is bloody or pus-like, smells bad, or comes with fever, severe pain, hearing loss or dizziness. Get emergency care for discharge or bleeding after a head injury.

A clinician can find the cause and decide whether you need treatment, such as antibiotic ear drops.

Conclusion

Watery discharge from the ear can come from earwax, swimmer’s ear, a middle ear infection, or a ruptured eardrum. A middle ear infection can make the eardrum burst and drain fluid.

Most perforated eardrums heal on their own within about two months, according to the NHS. Keep the ear dry, don’t put anything in it, and see a clinician to find the cause.