Ear drainage may involve the discharge of earwax, blood, pus, or other kinds of fluids from the ear. The following article provides a brief overview of this condition.
Common causes of ear drainage in children and adults include ear infection (viral and bacterial), damage of the ear membranes, ruptured eardrum, and excessive earwax. When the middle ear is infected, there is a buildup of fluid. Over time, if the condition is not addressed, the fluid continues to accumulate, thus increasing the pressure in the eardrum. Eventually, this may cause the eardrum to burst, and release the fluid into the ear canal.
Membrane damage may also occur in case of ear infections, injury, or middle ear tumors. Excess amounts of earwax may leak due to natural jaw motion, especially while chewing.
Symptoms that May Accompany Ear Drainage
The precise set of symptoms depends on the underlying etiology. For instance, if the ear drainage has been caused by an infection, then symptoms may include constant ear pain, and a thick or thin, sticky, foul-smelling drainage. The fluid may be green, white, or light yellow in color. If these symptoms are accompanied with fever, headache, or hearing loss, then a delay in seeking medical help may make matters worse or lead to permanent damage.
Home Remedies
Apart from the prescribed medication, some effective and safe home remedies useful in dealing with ear drainage are as follows.
» Put a few drops of medicated spirit into your ears. Use this method only once a day.
» Burn some alum till it swells up. Add some turmeric powder to this alum, and mix well. Apply this mixture to the aching ear.
» Mix cow’s milk and warm fenugreek seed oil. Put 1-2 drops of this solution into the ear.
» Extract some juice from freshly cut onions. Put 3-4 drops into the affected ear, and lie down for sometime.
» Put a few drops of a mixture of rubbing alcohol and vinegar into the ear. This will help to dry the ear, and get rid of any bacteria or fungi which may have caused the infection.
Precautions
» To prevent ear drainage from getting worse, ensure that water does not enter the ears in any manner.
» Avoid swimming for some days until the condition heals, and use ear protector caps while bathing.
» If any foreign object has caused this condition, then it is best to seek professional medical help.
» Never use sharp objects to clean the ears, and never insert Q tips deep into the ear.
Ear drainage is not a severe condition, but can cause severe pain and discomfort, especially for children. It is advisable to seek appropriate professional consultation to deal with the condition in time, and avoid serious complications.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.
