EAR DISCHARGE OR DRAINAGE

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR EAR DISCHARGES

Earwax: Ear wax protects the lining of the ear canal and has germ-killing properties. If the earwax is removed, the ear canals become itchy.
- Call back if: begins to look like pus (yellow or green discharge).
Clear Discharge (without head trauma): It's probably tears or water that entered the ear canal during a bath, shower, swimming or water fight.
- Don't overlook eardrops your child or someone else used without telling you.
- In children with ventilation tubes, some clear or slightly cloudy fluid can occur when a temporary tube blockage opens up and drains.
- Call back if: Clear drainage persists for more than 24 hours or recurs.
Blood After Ear Exam: If your doctor had to remove ear wax in order to see the eardrum, about 10% of the time this causes a small scratch to the lining of the ear canal. Usually the scratch oozes 1 or 2 drops of blood and then clots. This should heal up completely in a few days. It shouldn't affect the hearing. Don't put anything in the ear canal because it will probably re-start the bleeding.
Suspected Ear Infection: Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain relief until the office visit. (See EARACHE for details)

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2003

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