What causes postnasal drip. How can you treat excess mucus in the throat. What are the complications of postnasal drip. When should you see a doctor for postnasal drip symptoms. How does postnasal drip differ from a runny nose.

The Basics of Postnasal Drip: What You Need to Know

Postnasal drip occurs when excess mucus produced by the nasal glands drains down the back of the throat instead of out through the nostrils. While not the same as a runny nose, both conditions stem from increased mucus production. Normally, mucus plays a vital role in trapping pathogens and keeping nasal passages moist. However, when the body produces too much mucus or when it becomes abnormally thick, it can lead to uncomfortable symptoms and potential complications.

How Postnasal Drip Differs from a Runny Nose

Is there a difference between postnasal drip and a runny nose? Indeed, there is. While both involve excess mucus, the key distinction lies in where the mucus exits. In postnasal drip, the mucus flows down the back of the throat. A runny nose, on the other hand, involves mucus exiting through the nostrils. Understanding this difference can help in identifying and addressing the specific issue at hand.

Common Causes of Excess Mucus Production

Excess mucus production can be triggered by various factors, both temporary and chronic. Identifying the underlying cause is crucial for effective treatment.

Temporary Causes of Postnasal Drip

• Viral upper respiratory infections (cold or flu)
• Dry air or cold temperatures
• Irritating fumes from smoke, chemicals, or perfumes
• Spicy foods
• Pregnancy

In these cases, the postnasal drip typically resolves once the triggering condition subsides or the irritant is removed.

Chronic Causes of Postnasal Drip

1. Side effects of certain medications
2. Allergies
3. Deviated septum (a congenital malformation of the nose)

Chronic postnasal drip persists for extended periods and may require more targeted interventions.

The Impact of Excess Mucus on Your Health

Excess mucus production can lead to various complications affecting different parts of the upper respiratory system. How does postnasal drip affect your overall health? Let’s explore some potential issues:

• Sinus infections: When excess mucus clogs the sinus passages, it can create an environment conducive to bacterial growth, potentially leading to sinusitis.
• Ear discomfort: The connection between the nose, ears, and throat via the pharynx allows excess mucus to flow into the ears, potentially causing discomfort or even ear infections by clogging the Eustachian tube.
• Throat irritation: An unusual influx of mucus can irritate the throat, resulting in soreness or persistent coughing.

Effective Treatments for Postnasal Drip

Addressing postnasal drip often involves a combination of home remedies and medical interventions. The choice of treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms.

Home Remedies for Postnasal Drip Relief

• Steam exposure: Taking a hot shower or inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water can help thin mucus and open nasal passages.
• Elevated sleeping position: Propping up pillows while sleeping can prevent mucus from collecting in the throat.
• Nasal irrigation: Using a neti pot or saline nasal spray can help flush out irritants and excess mucus.

Medical Treatments for Postnasal Drip

Depending on the cause, your healthcare provider may recommend:

1. Steroid nasal sprays: Effective for allergy-induced postnasal drip
2. Antihistamines: Help reduce mucus production in allergy cases
3. Antibiotics: Prescribed if a bacterial infection is the underlying cause
4. Decongestants: Can provide relief by reducing nasal congestion
5. Expectorants: Help thin mucus, making it easier to expel

When to Seek Medical Attention for Postnasal Drip

While many cases of postnasal drip can be managed at home, certain situations warrant professional medical advice. When should you consult a healthcare provider for postnasal drip symptoms? Consider seeking medical attention if:

• Symptoms persist for more than 10 days
• You experience severe throat pain or difficulty swallowing
• You develop a fever or other signs of infection
• Your symptoms significantly impact your quality of life

A healthcare provider can help determine the underlying cause and recommend an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your specific situation.

The Role of Mucus in Body Defense

While excess mucus can be problematic, it’s important to understand the vital role mucus plays in our body’s defense system. How does mucus protect our body from harmful invaders?

• Trapping pathogens: Mucus acts as a sticky trap for viruses, bacteria, and other potentially harmful particles, preventing them from entering deeper into the respiratory system.
• Moisturizing airways: By keeping the nasal passages and airways moist, mucus helps maintain the health of the delicate tissues lining these areas.
• Facilitating clearance: The constant production and movement of mucus helps sweep trapped particles towards the throat, where they can be swallowed or expelled.

Understanding this balance can help appreciate why completely eliminating mucus is neither possible nor desirable. The goal of treatment is to manage excess production and maintain healthy levels.

Lifestyle Factors Influencing Postnasal Drip

Various lifestyle factors can influence the occurrence and severity of postnasal drip. By being aware of these factors, you can take proactive steps to manage your symptoms.

Environmental Factors

• Air quality: Poor air quality, whether due to pollution, allergens, or irritants, can trigger increased mucus production.
• Humidity levels: Both excessively dry and humid environments can affect mucus consistency and production.
• Temperature changes: Sudden temperature changes can sometimes trigger postnasal drip symptoms.

Dietary Influences

Can your diet affect postnasal drip? Indeed, certain foods and beverages can influence mucus production:

1. Dairy products: Some people report increased mucus production after consuming dairy, although scientific evidence is mixed.
2. Spicy foods: These can stimulate mucus production in some individuals.
3. Alcohol and caffeine: These can lead to dehydration, potentially thickening mucus.

Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can help maintain proper mucus consistency.

Preventing Postnasal Drip: Proactive Measures

While it’s not always possible to prevent postnasal drip entirely, several strategies can help reduce its occurrence and severity.

Allergen Management

• Use air purifiers to reduce airborne allergens
• Regularly clean and vacuum your living space
• Use hypoallergenic bedding
• Consider allergy testing to identify specific triggers

Lifestyle Adjustments

1. Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
2. Manage stress levels, as stress can exacerbate symptoms
3. Practice good hand hygiene to reduce the risk of viral infections
4. Use a humidifier in dry environments

By implementing these preventive measures, you can potentially reduce the frequency and severity of postnasal drip episodes.

The Connection Between Postnasal Drip and Other Health Conditions

Postnasal drip can sometimes be a symptom or complication of other health conditions. Understanding these connections can provide valuable insights into overall health management.

Postnasal Drip and Asthma

How does postnasal drip relate to asthma? The relationship between these conditions is complex:

• Trigger factor: Postnasal drip can sometimes trigger asthma symptoms in susceptible individuals.
• Shared inflammation: Both conditions can involve inflammation of the airways, potentially exacerbating each other.
• Treatment overlap: Some treatments, such as corticosteroids, can benefit both conditions.

Postnasal Drip and GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can sometimes contribute to postnasal drip symptoms:

1. Acid irritation: Stomach acid refluxing into the esophagus can irritate the throat and stimulate mucus production.
2. Chronic cough: Both GERD and postnasal drip can cause a chronic cough, sometimes making it challenging to identify the primary cause.
3. Treatment considerations: Managing GERD may help alleviate postnasal drip symptoms in some cases.

Recognizing these connections can help in developing a comprehensive approach to managing postnasal drip and related health issues.

Advances in Postnasal Drip Research and Treatment

Medical research continues to advance our understanding of postnasal drip and related conditions. What new developments are shaping the field of postnasal drip treatment?

Emerging Treatment Options

• Targeted biologics: Research into biologics that can specifically target the mechanisms of mucus production shows promise for difficult-to-treat cases.
• Nasal microbiome studies: Understanding the role of the nasal microbiome in mucus production and consistency may lead to new treatment approaches.
• Improved delivery systems: Advancements in drug delivery systems are enhancing the effectiveness of existing treatments by improving their ability to reach affected areas.

Diagnostic Improvements

How are diagnostics for postnasal drip evolving?

1. Advanced imaging techniques: Improved imaging methods allow for better visualization of the nasal passages and sinuses.
2. Biomarker identification: Research into specific biomarkers may lead to more precise diagnosis and tailored treatment plans.
3. At-home monitoring devices: Development of user-friendly devices for monitoring nasal and sinus health could improve self-management and early intervention.

These advancements hold the potential to significantly improve the diagnosis, treatment, and management of postnasal drip in the future.

By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for postnasal drip, individuals can take proactive steps to manage this common condition effectively. Whether through lifestyle adjustments, home remedies, or medical interventions, relief from postnasal drip is achievable for many people. As research continues to advance, we can look forward to even more effective and targeted approaches to managing this often-troublesome condition.

Causes of Postnasal Drip and How to Treat It

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November 26, 2018 | Family Medicine

Have you been experiencing upper respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, persistent cough, clogging in the tubes of the ear or sinus infections? If so, postnasal drip may be the cause.

Postnasal drip is not the same thing as a runny nose, but they share the same root cause: production of excess or abnormally thick mucus from glands within the lining of your nasal passages.

Complications of excess mucus

Mucus is a thick, sticky liquid produced by your nose to protect the body from infection. It traps viruses and bacteria and keeps your nasal passages moist. When your body is functioning normally, mucus mixes with saliva and is harmlessly swallowed. However, under certain circumstances, your body may produce more mucus than normal. When this happens, the excess mucus needs someplace to go. Postnasal drip occurs when the excess mucus exits from the back of your nose into the throat. A runny nose is excess mucus exiting from the nostrils.

Excess mucus in your nose can clog your sinus passages, which may lead to a sinus infection. Postnasal drip can also cause ear or throat discomfort. Your nose is connected to your ears and throat via an open structure called the pharynx, a cone-shaped passageway in the back of the head. Therefore, excess mucus that exits from the back of your nose can flow into your ears and throat from the pharynx. Excess fluid in your ear can cause an ear infection by clogging up the Eustachian tube. An unusual influx of mucus can also irritate your throat, causing soreness or coughing.

What causes excess mucus and postnasal drip?

Postnasal drip may be temporary or chronic, depending on its cause. Potential causes of temporary postnasal drip include the following:

• Viral upper respiratory infections, such as cold or flu
• Dry air or cold temperatures, often experienced during changes of seasons
• Irritating fumes from smoke, chemicals, cleaning products, perfumes or colognes
• Spicy food
• Pregnancy

In these cases, postnasal drip typically subsides after the condition runs its course or the irritating stimulant is removed.

Chronic postnasal drip is excess mucus production that persists for a long period of time and may be caused by the following:

• Side effects of certain medications
• Allergies
• Deviated septum, a congenital malformation of the nose

Treatments for postnasal drip

You can take steps to relieve the symptoms of postnasal drip. Exposure to steam, by taking a shower or drinking hot soup, for example, can help to thin the mucus and open the nasal passages. You can also prevent mucus from collecting in your throat while you sleep by lying on propped-up pillows. If your postnasal drip is caused by allergens or other irritants, nasal irrigation (e.g., using a neti pot) can help clear these foreign bodies away.

Postnasal drip can also be treated with medication, but the specific drug you should use depends on what is causing your symptoms. Steroid sprays or certain antihistamines, for example, are common treatments for postnasal drip caused by allergies. If your postnasal drip is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will likely treat it with antibiotics. Decongestants (such as pseudoephedrine) and expectorants (a medication to thin the mucus, such as guaifenesin) may also be effective.

If you have persistent upper respiratory symptoms, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. He or she can help determine the cause and formulate an appropriate treatment plan.

Revere Health Orem Family Medicine is devoted to comprehensive healthcare for patients of all ages and providing thorough and timely healthcare for the entire family throughout all stages of life.

Sources:

“Treatments for Post-Nasal Drip.” Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Harvard Health.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/treatments-for-post-nasal-drip

“What Is Postnasal Drip?” WebMD.

https://www.webmd.com/allergies/postnasal-drip#1

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This information is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. You should always consult your doctor before making decisions about your health.

Causes, Symptoms and FDA Advice

What is Eustachian tube dysfunction?

The Eustachian tube is a small passageway that connects your throat to your middle ear. When you sneeze, swallow, or yawn, your Eustachian tubes open. This keeps air pressure and fluid from building up inside your ear. But sometimes a Eustachian tube might get plugged. This is called Eustachian tube dysfunction. When this happens, sounds may be muffled, and your ear may feel full. You may also have ear pain.

Symptoms

If you have Eustachian tube dysfunction:

• Your ears may feel plugged or full.
• Sounds may seem muffled.
• You may feel a popping or clicking sensation (children may say their ear “tickles”).
• You may have pain in one or both ears.
• You may hear ringing in your ears (called tinnitus).
• You may sometimes have trouble keeping your balance.

Your symptoms may get worse with changes in altitude. This includes flying in an airplane, riding in elevators, driving through mountains, or diving.

What causes Eustachian tube dysfunction?

The most common cause of Eustachian tube dysfunction is when the tube become swollen (inflamed) and mucus or fluid builds up. This can be caused by a cold, the flu, a sinus infection, or allergies. Some people are at greater risk for Eustachian tube dysfunction. They include:

• Children. Their tubes are shorter and straighter than those of an adult. This makes it easier for germs to reach the middle ear and for fluid to become trapped there. Also, children’s immune systems are not fully developed. This makes it harder for them to fight off infections.
• People who smoke. Smoking damages the cilia (the tiny hairs that sweep mucus from the middle ear to the back of the nose). This can allow mucus to gather in the tubes.
• People who are obese. Fatty deposits around the tubes can lead to Eustachian tube dysfunction.

How is Eustachian tube dysfunction diagnosed?

Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and examine you. They will examine your ear canals and eardrums, your nasal passages, and the back of your throat.

Can Eustachian tube dysfunction be prevented or avoided?

Reduce your risk of developing this condition by treating the underlying cause of the blockage. This is usually allergies, a cold, or the flu.

Treatment

Symptoms of Eustachian tube dysfunction usually go away without treatment. You can do exercises to open up the tubes. This includes swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum. You can help relieve the “full ear” feeling by taking a deep breath, pinching your nostrils closed, and “blowing” with your mouth shut.

If you think your baby may have Eustachian tube dysfunction, feed him or her. You can also give them a pacifier. These encourage the swallow reflex.

If these strategies don’t help, your doctor may suggest other options. These can include:

• Using a decongestant to reduce the swelling of the lining of the tubes
• Taking an antihistamine or using a steroid nasal spray to reduce any allergic response
• Making a tiny incision in the eardrum and suctioning out the fluid in the middle ear. This gives the Eustachian tube lining time to shrink while the eardrum is healing (usually 1 to 3 days).
• Implanting small tubes in the eardrums. These let built-up fluid drain out of the middle ear. Children who get a lot of ear infections sometimes get tubes in their ears. They stay in up to 18 months and fall out on their own.
• Using a balloon dilation system. A doctor will use a catheter (long, flexible tube) to insert a small balloon through your nose and into the Eustachian tube. When it is inflated, the balloon opens a pathway for mucus and air to flow through the tube. This can help it function properly.

FDA warning

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against the use of ear candles (inserting a special candle in the ear). It is supposed to pull wax and debris out of your ear as it burns. Ear candles can cause serious injuries and there is no evidence to support their effectiveness.

Living with Eustachian tube dysfunction

Managing your symptoms when you have allergies or a cold is important. This can keep your Eustachian tubes clear and prevent an infection. Home care usually takes care of any problems. This includes exercises such as swallowing or yawning. If you or your child show symptoms of severe pain in the ear, call your family doctor.

Questions to ask your doctor

• My ears feel full and don’t feel better when I yawn. Could I have Eustachian tube dysfunction?
• What can I do to make my child more comfortable?
• My child has Eustachian tube dysfunction. Does this mean they will have ear infections?
• Is there anything I can do when I travel to make myself more comfortable?
• Could my allergies make Eustachian tube dysfunction worse?
• What is the best way to treat my symptoms?

Resources

National Institutes of Health, MedlinePlus: Otitis media with effusion

Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

Discharge from the ear, or otorrhea

Allergy

Fungus

Otitis

Sulfur plug

Mastoiditis

Tympanic membrane rupture

Otomycosis

17713

June 24

Discharge from the ear: the causes of occurrence, in which diseases occur, diagnosis and methods of treatment.

Definition

Earwax is a physiological secretion from the ear canal and protects the hearing aid from pathogenic bacteria. It consists of fat, fatty acids and fat-like substances, as well as various mineral salts. Normally, a person produces 15–20 mg of earwax during the month, which looks like a sticky yellow-brown mass. All other discharges are considered pathological and indicate ear diseases.

Types of discharge from the ear

The discharge may be transparent, white, light or dark yellow, greenish (in the presence of pus). If blood enters the ear secretion, the discharge becomes reddish or brownish in color.

The discharge may be watery in consistency, have a cheesy or flaky texture, and may sometimes form crusts.

An unpleasant smell of discharge due to the presence of pus in them can serve as a diagnostic sign.

What diseases and conditions cause discharge from the ear

Sulfur plugs . Excessive work of the sulfur glands leads to the formation of a sulfur plug. Most often, this problem occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, high cholesterol levels in the blood. The formation of sulfur plugs provokes an increased viscosity of sulfur, dry skin, small foreign particles (for example, industrial dust) entering the ear, as well as excessive hair growth in the ear canal. Often, sulfur plugs are observed in people involved in water sports, using hearing aids, miniature headphones.

With improper hygiene measures and independent attempts to remove excess earwax, there is a risk of pushing it deeper into the ear canal, thereby causing a plug to form.

Clinical signs of sulfur plug are pain and stuffiness of the ear, tinnitus, especially painful when sulfur comes into contact with the eardrum, sometimes headache, dizziness, nausea.

Mucopurulent and purulent discharge is a symptom of inflammation of the outer and middle ear. In inflammation external ear (otitis externa) pathological process can develop in the auricle and external auditory canal (up to the tympanic membrane). Most often, external otitis occurs against the background of infection of the ear with bacteria and microscopic fungi. Its first signs are, as a rule, pain in the ear, itching, less often – hearing loss and a feeling of fullness. Mucopurulent discharge appears only with a common form of the inflammatory process throughout the auditory canal.

The source of purulent discharge in the outer ear can also be a boil located in the shell or ear canal. With otitis media mucopurulent and purulent discharge results from infection of sterile effusion from inflamed ear tissues. Since the chamber of the middle ear is closed by the tympanic membrane, purulent discharge may appear in the outer ear only after the formation of a hole in it. This is preceded by severe pain in the ear, fever, hearing loss, and in children – overexcitation, sometimes vomiting.

When mastoiditis (inflammatory lesion of the mastoid process of the temporal bone), purulent discharge from the ear also appears. As a rule, this disease develops as a complication of otitis media and is accompanied by fever, soreness and swelling in the mastoid process behind the ear.

Clear bloody or purulent discharge occurs in acute infectious myringitis (inflammation of the eardrum), which may be of fungal or bacterial origin. Bubbles filled with blood form on the surface of the eardrum, which then burst. In addition to discharge, ear congestion is observed.

Transparent, colorless or slightly pinkish discharge from the ear may be the result of liquorrhea – the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid. It enters the auricle in case of skull fractures (usually temporal) due to trauma.

In addition, transparent watery discharge sometimes accompanies allergic otitis media , which is also characterized by other signs – itching, ear congestion.

Unaltered blood appears from the ear, usually after injury and rupture of the eardrum .

Such an injury can be caused by acoustic and mechanical shocks, as well as due to improper hygiene procedures. A ruptured eardrum is always accompanied by severe pain.

The appearance of bloody-purulent discharge from the ear is one of the evidences of the presence of a polyp on the tympanic membrane or mucous membrane of the middle ear . A polyp is an overgrowth of tissue in response to its irritation. The appearance of a polyp is preceded by active inflammation of the middle ear. In addition, polyps can be the result of myringitis, otitis externa, malignant neoplasms. Perforating the tympanic membrane, the polyp can protrude into the area of ​​​​the external auditory canal, leading to hearing loss.

Insignificant secretions, sometimes forming crusts and having an unpleasant odor, are characteristic of cholesteatoma – a tumor-like formation formed from the epidermis of the ear canal. In most cases, cholesteatoma complicates chronic purulent epitympanitis and is formed from layers of keratinized epidermis, water, proteins, fats and cholesterol. The formation of cholesteatoma is accompanied by feelings of heaviness and fullness in the ear, headache. If left untreated, it can gradually invade the mastoid process and the cranial cavity.

At otomycosis loose curdled discharge is observed. The main culprits of the disease are molds (often localized in the outer ear) and yeast-like fungi (more often inhabiting the middle ear). Clinical signs of otitis externa in these cases include pain and colored cheesy-necrotic discharge from the ear. Patients complain of tinnitus and dizziness.

Discharge that contains large, fatty flakes, sometimes mixed with pus, is characteristic of seborrheic ear dermatitis . The disease can affect not only the ear, but also the scalp. Clinical signs are severe itching, swelling of the auricle, peeling of the skin and weeping wounds.

Clear discharge mixed with blood (sanitary discharge) indicates bullous or influenza-like otitis media . Bullae (vesicles with fluid) occur on the surface of the ear canal and eardrum. When they burst, the liquid with the ichor flows out through the ear canal into the auricle.

Which doctor to contact for ear discharge

In most cases, ear diseases are characterized by a clear clinical picture, which is based on pain. These patients are treated by an otorhinolaryngologist.

In the presence of a traumatic brain injury, which is accompanied by liquorrhea, urgent hospitalization is necessary. Otherwise, a poor prognosis is possible.

Discharge from the ear is not always accompanied by pain, in particular with allergic otitis, which is treated by
therapist,
pediatrician and
allergist-immunologist.

Diagnosis and examination of discharge from the ear

If wax plug is suspected, the doctor performs an otoscopy, during which an accumulation of wax in the ear canal is detected. Diagnosis of otitis externa and otitis media is carried out on the basis of patient complaints, otoscopy, palpation of the parotid region. It is recommended to sow discharge from the ear to determine the causative agent of the disease and its sensitivity to antibiotics. Perhaps an audiometric study.

Traumatic brain injury, which is accompanied by liquorrhea, is diagnosed using radiography and CT.

X-ray of the skull

X-ray examination of the skull to detect violations of the structure and integrity of the bones of the skull of various nature.

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CT scan of the brain and skull

Scanning of the brain, skull and surrounding tissues, which allows diagnosing various pathologies.

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To diagnose cholesteatoma and mastoiditis, the doctor performs otoscopy and radiography.

X-ray of the mastoid processes

X-ray examination of the mastoid process of the temporal bone to assess its integrity and identify other pathology.

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If otomycosis is suspected, endomicroscopic (examination of the ear under an operating microscope) and microbiological examination of ear discharge using microscopy and culture are recommended. Diagnosis of bullous otitis media includes sowing fluid from the ear, audio and tympanometry, and radiation examination methods. It is also possible to use serological methods of blood analysis.

What to do if there is discharge from the ear

If clear discharge from the ear appeared after an injury, urgent hospitalization is necessary.

If there is an increased excretion of sulfur, you should seek the help of an ENT doctor who will recommend proper care and personal hygiene methods acceptable at home.

It is strongly not recommended to clean the ear canal with the help of items not intended for this purpose.

Treatment for ear discharge

If a sulfur plug is detected, the doctor removes it, after softening it with special preparations. Remove plugs by lavage or aspiration and curettage.

Irrigation is possible only in the absence of contraindications, which the doctor will definitely inform about (perforation of the tympanic membrane, otitis externa).

Treatment for otitis media may include pain relief, physiotherapy, and etiotropic therapy, depending on the causative agent of the disease. The allergic nature of ear discharge requires the use of antihistamines. Cholesteatoma is treated only with surgery.

Sources:

1. Clinical recommendations “Acute otitis media”. Developed by: National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists. – 2021.
2. Morozova S.V. Ear wax: topical issues of norm and pathology in clinical practice. breast cancer. No. 3 (II), 2018, pp. 53–57.
3. Clinical guidelines “Chronic otitis media”. Developed by: National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists. – 2021.

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes in dynamics, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes.

Ear discharge

To the guide

Discharge from the ear often indicates the development of an inflammatory process in the outer or middle ear.

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Ear wax protects against the penetration of pathogens and foreign bodies into the ear canal. Therefore, its formation is physiologically determined and is considered the norm. Other discharge from the ear usually indicates pathology and may contain purulent masses and blood impurities.

Types of discharge

According to their type of discharge are divided into several types:

Purulent discharge

The leakage of pus from the ear canal occurs with inflammation of the outer and middle ear, and is also characteristic of external and acute otitis media with perforation of the eardrum, respectively. Other causes of purulent discharge can be otomycosis, in which fungal microflora parasitizes in the ear, and furunculosis.

This is the name of inflammation of the sebaceous glands in the ear canal, accompanied by the formation of a limited cavity (one or more) filled with purulent secretion. The clinical picture may be supplemented by other signs: the development of hearing loss, congestion and pain in the ear on the side of the lesion, a sensation of tinnitus, which is often mixed with dizziness. The physical condition of the patient is aggravated by a runny nose, fever, an increase in local lymph nodes, and pain in the ear region.

Spotting

Discharge from the ear with blood impurities also occurs with the development of an inflammatory process in the middle and outer sections. But the most common cause of such phenomena is trauma to the eardrum or other internal structures, as a result of exposure to mechanical objects that have fallen into the ear canal, or pressure drop. In the latter case, the cause may be barotrauma, which is often found in novice scuba divers with improper diving to depth due to a sharp change in the difference between external and internal fluid pressure.

Transparent highlights

There are also clear discharges from the ear. A striking example is exudative otitis media, during the development of which fluid accumulates in the middle ear cavity. Rupture of the tympanic membrane leads to the manifestation of the contents. Inflammation for this form of otitis is uncharacteristic.

Cerebrospinal fluid, which is also clear, may leak from the ear. A similar picture can be observed with craniocerebral injuries that led to a fracture of the base of the skull.

Diagnostics

Elucidation of the etiology of this phenomenon is carried out on the basis of the patient’s own complaints and instrumental examination data.

As part of the diagnosis, otoscopy is used, the main task of which is to exclude pathology in the ear. The doctor also performs the toilet of the ear, clearing the ear canal from the contents, using micro-instruments. For a more detailed examination, otomicroscopy is used.

If an inflammatory process is confirmed, discharge from the ear is subject to microbiological examination, which makes it possible to establish the type of pathogen and identify its sensitivity to antibiotics. Head injuries are the reason for performing a computed tomography.

Treatment

Treatment according to the cause of the event:

• Drug therapy – antibacterial drugs in the form of drops;
• Opening of a furuncle with furunculosis.