![]() ![]() ![]() Middle ear infection, also called acute otitis media, is a bacterial or viral infection of the air-filled space behind the eardrum. Urgency: Primary care doctor Middle ear infection Top Symptoms: fever, ear canal pain, ear fullness/pressure, jaw pain, ear pain that gets worse when moving ![]() Treatment includes having a medical provider clean the ear canal of debris and discharge, and a prescription for antibiotic and/or steroid eardrops. Lab tests may be done on a sample of the discharge from the ear. The infection can spread and intensify, becoming very painful with increased drainage, swelling, fever, and loss of hearing.ĭiagnosis is made through patient history and physical examination of the ear canal. Most susceptible are children, because they have narrower ear canals that do not drain well.Įarly symptoms include redness, itching, and discomfort inside the ear canal, sometimes with drainage of clear fluid.Įven mild symptoms should be treated because they can quickly get worse. Water that stays inside the ear after swimming is a common cause, as are cotton swabs used for cleaning or earpieces that create irritation. It is caused by anything that introduces bacteria, fungus, or a virus into the canal. Swimmer's ear, or otitis externa, is an infection of the canal which runs from the eardrum to the opening of the ear. Inflamed adenoids: If there is fluid coming from the Eustachian tubes, this will lead to inflamed adenoids, infection, and discharge.Excessive fluids may result in and discharge. Mastoiditis: This condition refers to the inflammation of the jaw, which is near the ear.Medical causes of ear discharge include the following. Loud noises: Significantly loud noises may result in discharge.Change in pressure: A sudden increase in pressure, such as on an airplane or when you quickly reach a high altitude, may cause your eardrum to rupture and produce a discharge.Presence of foreign body: Trauma can occur when you push a swab or foreign object too hard into your ears and result in discharge.Traumatic causes may result in ear discharge, such as the following. Infectious agents can enter the ear canal from the nasal passage or throat. Cold or flu: A simple bacterial or viral infection may cause ear discharge.The discharge is normally foul-smelling and yellow or green in color. Swimmer's ear: Bacteria may colonize in the ear from contaminated water and cause inflammation and fluid buildup.Infections may result in ear discharge, such as the following. The following details may help you better understand your symptoms and if and when you need to see a physician. ![]()
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