Depending on the type of ear discharge, it may indicate various health problems and underlying conditions. In this article, we will talk about ear discharge, its causes, how to cure it using natural and home remedies, and more. Continue reading to know more about ear drainage.
What Is Ear Drainage?
Our ears constantly produce and discharge earwax, an oily substance that prevents foreign objects like dust and bacteria from entering them. But when there is other watery or yellow discharge from the ear, like blood or pus, it builds up and clogs the eardrum, resulting in a middle ear infection. Let’s now look at the types of ear discharge.
What Are The Types of Ear Discharge?
Earwax – Usually present in the ears. When earwax is mixed with water, it turns runny and drains from the ear. Pus – Most commonly seen when there is an infection in the ear. When the eardrum is torn, it results in pus. Clear Liquid – Usually occurs in children where the ear leaks with clear fluid, but there is no pain. It could happen when they have water build up in their ears from a bath or swimming pool. Blood – Blood comes out of the ear when there is an injury to the ear or blow to the head. It can also be noticed when a sharp object is inserted in the ear canal. Swimmer’s Ear Discharge – Occurs mainly in swimmers, where they experience a watery discharge from being in the pool for a long time.
Most times, the substance draining from your ears is earwax. But when you have a ruptured eardrum, you could have a watery or bloody discharge from the ear. The presence of dried blood in the ear indicates a ruptured eardrum. A few causes of this are discussed in the next section.
What Are The Causes of Ear Drainage?
Middle Ear Infection – Also called Otitis Media, this is the most common type of ear infection. It happens when there is a fluid or pus build-up in the eardrum. This is most commonly seen in young children. Eczema In The Ear Canal – This is mostly seen in adults or school children. When large amounts of water flow into the ear, the increased moisture content causes eczema in the ear canal. Common signs of this are skin irritation, redness, itching, and pain. Injury To The Head – Accidents, falls, or blows to the head or ears can cause a tear in the eardrum or damage the inner ear. This could result in blood clots or severe blood discharge from the affected ear. Inserting Foreign Or Sharp Objects Into The Ear – Inserting things like cotton swabs, sharp objects, or fingernails into your ear can tear or rupture the eardrum. This can result in an infection of the ear. Swimmer’s Ear – When contaminated water from a swimming pool goes into your ear, it may cause an infection in the outer ear. This could be painful or discomforting for swimmers. The best way to prevent this is to dry and clean the ear immediately after swimming.
Treatment for ear drainage depends on the cause. For mild and acute cases of ear discharge, you can use home remedies that not only help treat the problem but also relieve any discomfort. Listed below are 8 amazing home remedies for ear drainage. Take a look.
8 Natural Remedies For Ear Drainage
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties that help kill the infection-causing microbes in the ear (1).
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon warm water A cotton ball
You can do this twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Repeat for a few days if required.
2. Gravity
Gravitational forces pull out the fluid discharge from the ear when your head is tilted in the downward direction (2). If you have fluid discharge from the ear while sleeping, tilting the ear upwards allows gravity to drain the fluid build-up.
1-2 teaspoonfuls of warm water A dropper
You can use the water flush 3 to 4 times a day. Sleep as often as needed during the day and at night to get relief from the pain.
3. Neem Oil
Neem oil has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties (3), (4). These properties help reduce ear ache and destroy the pathogens that cause infection in the ears.
1 teaspoon neem oil A cotton ball A dropper
You can do this two times a day for a few days.
4. Warm Compress
The warm cloth provides moisture that helps to unclog the ears and loosen the congestion (5). Using this remedy a few times a day helps de-clog the ears.
1 small bowl of warm water A washcloth
Soak the washcloth in warm water, squeeze out the excess water, and hold it on your affected ear. You can do this as often as needed to relieve the discomfort.
5. Garlic
In a study, ear drops containing garlic and other herbal extracts were found to be as effective as OTC ear drops (6). Another study shows that garlic improves the antibiotic sensitivity of certain pathogens to antibiotics. It contains a compound called allicin that works to protect the body against infections (7). Using this remedy helps to battle the microbes in the ear and reduces infection.
2 cloves of fresh, raw garlic 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil A dropper A cotton ball
You can add a small amount of raw garlic to your dishes until the infection subsides. If you are using garlic oil as a remedy, you can apply it two times a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.
6. Holy Basil
Basil has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat mild infections and pain. A 2017 study shows the effectiveness of basil leaves in treating common health conditions (8). Another study demonstrates the efficacy of instilling basil leaf juice into the ears as a household remedy for earaches (9).
10-15 leaves of fresh holy basil or Tulsi A cotton ball A strainer
You can use basil leaf juice every day to flush out any discharge from your ears or reduce earache.
7. Steam Inhalation
This is a very commonly used method to treat ear drainage and infections. The steam helps unclog the congestion in the ears by loosening the mucus and opening sinus passages (10).
A pot A bowl of water 3-4 fresh herbal flowers or Vicks Vaporub A towel
You can do steam inhalation for 10 minutes at a stretch, about 3 to 4 times a day.
8. Onion
Onions have been used very commonly to cure and relieve ear drainage in toddlers and children. This remedy is not backed by a lot of scientific evidence yet, but it has helped parents since the 19th century (11). 1 raw onion You can do this two times a day and repeat for as many days as required. These remedies will help relieve ear drainage and the associated pain and discomfort. You can also take certain measures to prevent discharge from your ears and ear infection.
How Can I Prevent Ear Discharge?
Avoid getting too close to somebody who is already infected to prevent catching the infection. Do not insert sharp or any foreign objects into the ear. Use earplugs while swimming to prevent large amounts of water from entering the ears. If your ears do get wet, dry them well. In the case of toddlers, breastfeeding them helps transfer antibodies from the mother to the child, thus increasing their immunity against infections.
In most cases, if you see something out of the ordinary coming out of your ears, try any of the above home remedies and tips to lessen the discharge. But if home remedies do not work or the ear drainage becomes infected, you should visit a medical professional.
How Do I Test For Ear Drainage?
The medical professional usually diagnoses the infection using an otoscope, a lighted microscope. They may also carry out any of the following tests to be sure of the exact problem:
Tympanometry – This method tests the movement of the eardrum and the health of the middle ear. Acoustic Reflectometry – Although indirect, studies show that this technique is better in finding middle ear effusions as compared to the other tests (12). Tympanocentesis – This technique tests to drain the fluid from the middle ear and figure out the infectious agents in the liquid.
In most cases, the ear drainage heals itself and improves within the first few days without treatment. However, if it doesn’t subside, you may have to avail medical intervention.
What Are The Treatment Options for Ear Drainage?
If the ear drainage does not subside, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics or medicated ear drops to treat the infection and drain the fluid. They may also suggest using a warm compress or painkillers to reduce the pain. Here’s when you should consult a doctor.
When Should I See A Doctor?
Visit the doctor if you experience any of the following conditions:
Unbearable pain in the ear Swelling or inflammation in the ear Fever Loss of hearing or ringing in the ears Your ear doesn’t stop draining even after a few days or weeks of trying natural remedies. Symptoms of a ruptured eardrum continue for 2 months or longer
How long does ear drainage last? Usually, any fluid drainage from the ear lasts for up to 24 hours and then starts to recede. In some cases, it might last more than a day or two. Is it safe to put hydrogen peroxide in the ear? It is generally not suggested to put hydrogen peroxide in the ears unless a doctor asks you to. Most people use hydrogen peroxide to soften earwax build-up. But using it too often can cause irritation inside the ear, which can also lead to inflammation or earache. Is ear drainage bad? Ear drainage is not bad at all. It happens to most people and can usually be cured with natural, at-home remedies. Can a ruptured eardrum heal itself? If the ears are protected and covered, a ruptured eardrum can heal itself without treatment in about 1-2 months. But consult a doctor to make sure the consequences are not too serious. Why do my ears feel wet inside? Your ears feel wet inside probably because a lot of water has gone inside your ear canal during swimming or a long shower. In some cases, it could also mean that there is an infection inside your ears. What is the fastest way to dissolve ear wax? One of the fastest and safest natural ways to dissolve earwax build-up is to lie on the bed and instill a few drops of coconut oil or olive oil into the affected ear. Another good method is to use the ear drops prescribed by your doctor. How do you massage the eustachian tube to drain ears? Press the area behind the ear lobe where it meets the jaw. Slide the finger to the collarbone while maintaining the same pressure. Repeat the process 3–4 times to relieve congestion.
