Ear Discharge - How To Avert It?

Ear wax is mainly natural oil secreted by the ears so that no dust particles or harmful microorganisms can enter the organ. But sometimes, discharge is noticed from the ear that can happen due to some reasons. The fluid can get discharged from the ear due to infection or can also happen due to rupture of the eardrum. Such discharge is also known as otorrhea if talked in medical term. Also, sometimes due to nostril congestion or even for some accident or trauma, such discharge may take place.

Symptoms noticed in ear discharge
Ear discharge can be anything such as wax or blood or any other fluid.
• The colour of the discharge may range from white to yellow or even grey.
• Also at times, the discharge may have a foul smell if it is due to some bacterial infection.
• The discharge may get accompanied by ear pain, fever, and headache.
Both in kids and adults, this can lead to an extreme level of discomfort that may lead to failure in hearing at times.

Causes of ear discharge

There can be some causes for ear discharge to happen. Some of the causes are:

• Excess amount of wax in the ear
• Rupture of the eardrum due to some injury
• High noise pollution
• Spending extra time in the water
• Infection caused by bacteria
• Inflammation or damage to the Eustachian tubes
• Infection due to inflammation of adenoids
• Increased atmospheric pressure.

Treatments of ear discharge

If the discharge is due to the excess amount of wax, then this problem can get cured after some time on cleaning. But if it is due to some other problems, then it needs treatment. In normal circumstances, if it is just the initial stage, then the doctor may suggest some antibiotics. Also, ear drops are suggested to treat the eardrum or even a vinegar solution can be suggested.
But in the case of an extreme situation, when the problem has increased, surgery is the solution. The doctor inserts a tiny tube that connects the outer ear to the middle ear through the eardrum and this process is known as bilateral myringotomy.

Prevention from ear discharge

Though now there are several ways to treat such problem, of course, prevention is always better than cure.

• Ear should not be cleaned with any pointed object
• Scratching the ears with sharp object can also cause problems
• Use muffs while traveling in place where atmospheric pressure may change
• After swimming or even after a bath, you should carefully dry your ears
• Smoking causes ear infection that leads to such complications

Ear infection or ear discharge can thus get caused due to some reasons, and hence proper prevention can help in staying away from it. But in case if you suffer from such causes, it is necessary to visit the doctor without any further delays.