Ear Drainage

Common causes of ear drainage in children and adults include ear infection, damage of the ear membranes and earwax. The infection is generally caused by a viral or a bacterial infection. In an infection of the middle ear, there is a build up of fluid. Over time, if the condition is not addressed to, 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.

An ear infection may also result in membrane damage, which is another cause of ear drainage. The rupture may also be caused due to an injury to the head or middle ear tumors. Coming to earwax, it may leak due to the natural jaw motion of chewing and the like.

Symptoms that May Accompany Ear Drainage

The symptoms may defer according to the causes of the condition. For instance, if the ear drainage has been caused by an infection of the ear, then symptoms may include constant ear pain, thick, thin or sticky foul-smelling drainage. The fluid may be of the color green, white or light yellow. If these symptoms are accompanied by fever, headache or loss of hearing, then a delay in calling for medical help may make matters worse or sometimes too serious to mend in time.

As aforesaid, an infection of the middle ear may cause the eardrum to rupture and that may produce a slightly bloody fluid discharge which may be yellow or white. If the rupture occurs without being caused by an infection then symptoms may include a bit bloody but clearer fluid.

Treatment Measures

Apart from the prescribed medications you would be using for treating the problem, here are some effective and safe home remedies for the same.

One simple remedy in order to stop the discharge, you can put a few drops of medicated spirit into your ears. Use this method only once a day. You may also try another remedy using alum and turmeric powder. Burn the alum until it swells up. Now, get some turmeric powder and add it to the alum to make a mixture out of the two. Apply this mixture to the aching ear.

Make a mix of fresh cow's milk and warm fenugreek seed oil. Put one or two drops of it into the ear. Or, extract some juice from freshly cut onions and put 3 - 4 drops of it into the bad ear and wait for sometime. Putting a few drops of a mixture of rubbing alcohol and vinegar into the ear, will help dry out the ear and get rid of any bacteria or fungi which might have caused the infection and relief earache.

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 covers while bathing. If any foreign object has caused this condition, then it is best to seek for professional medical help. Swab the ears with safe ear buds or a wad of cotton. Never use sharp objects.

It is best and advisable to take medical counsel before using any of the above remedies. In case of children, parents must wait and wait. If symptoms seem to persist for more than two days and the pain becomes unbearable, then the wisest thing to do is to call for medical help and get yourself or your child diagnosed. Ear drainage is not a severe medical condition but can get intolerably painful, if not for adults, but certainly for children.