Otorrhea (patient information): Difference between revisions
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{{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{KD}} | {{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{KD}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Ear discharge is drainage of blood, ear wax, pus, or fluid from the ear. | Ear discharge is drainage of [[blood]], ear wax, [[pus]], or fluid from the ear. | ||
==What causes Otorrhea?== | ==What causes Otorrhea?== | ||
Most of the time, any fluid leaking out of an ear is ear wax. | Most of the time, any fluid leaking out of an ear is ear wax. | ||
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Causes of a ruptured eardrum include: | Causes of a ruptured eardrum include: | ||
* Foreign object in the ear canal | * Foreign object in the [[ear canal]] | ||
* Injury from a blow to the head, foreign object, very loud noises, or sudden pressure changes (such as in airplanes) | * [[Injury]] from a blow to the [[head]], foreign object, very loud noises, or sudden pressure changes (such as in airplanes) | ||
* Inserting cotton-tipped swabs or other small objects into the ear | * Inserting cotton-tipped swabs or other small objects into the [[ear]] | ||
* Middle ear infection | * [[Middle ear infection]] | ||
Other causes of ear discharge include: | Other causes of ear discharge include: | ||
* [[Eczema]] and other skin irritations in the ear canal | |||
* Eczema and other skin irritations in the ear canal | * [[Swimmer's ear]] - with symptoms such as itching, scaling, a red or moist ear canal, and [[pain]] that increases when you move the earlobe | ||
* Swimmer's ear | |||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
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* How long has it lasted? | * How long has it lasted? | ||
* Does it drain all the time or off-and-on? | * Does it drain all the time or off-and-on? | ||
* What other symptoms do you have (for example, fever, ear pain, headache)? | * What other symptoms do you have (for example, [[fever]], [[ear pain]], [[headache]])? | ||
The health care provider may take a sample of the ear drainage and send it to a lab for examination. | The health care provider may take a sample of the ear drainage and send it to a lab for examination. | ||
The health care provider may recommend anti-inflammatory or antibiotic medicines, which are placed in the ear. Antibiotics may be given by mouth if a ruptured eardrum from an ear infection is causing the discharge. | The health care provider may recommend [[anti-inflammatory]] or [[antibiotic]] medicines, which are placed in the ear. Antibiotics may be given by mouth if a ruptured eardrum from an ear infection is causing the discharge. | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
* The discharge is white, yellow, clear, or bloody. | * The discharge is white, yellow, clear, or [[bloody]]. | ||
* The discharge is the result of an injury. | * The discharge is the result of an injury. | ||
* The discharge has lasted more than 5 days. | * The discharge has lasted more than 5 days. | ||
* There is severe pain. | * There is severe [[pain]]. | ||
* The discharge is associated with other symptoms, such as fever or headache. | * The discharge is associated with other symptoms, such as [[fever]] or [[headache]]. | ||
* There is loss of hearing. | * There is loss of hearing. | ||
* There is redness or swelling coming out of the ear canal. | * There is redness or [[swelling]] coming out of the ear canal. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
Caring for ear discharge at home depends on the cause. | Caring for ear discharge at home depends on the cause. | ||
==Where to find medical care for Otorrhea?== | ==Where to find medical care for Otorrhea?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Condition}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Otorrhea] | [http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Condition}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Otorrhea] | ||
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==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003042.htm | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003042.htm | ||
{{WH}} | |||
{{WS}} | |||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Otolaryngology]] | [[Category:Otolaryngology]] | ||
[[Category:Pediatrics]] | [[Category:Pediatrics]] | ||
[[Category:Physical examination]] | [[Category:Physical examination]] | ||
[[Category:Emergency medicine]] | [[Category:Emergency medicine]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:30, 29 July 2020
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Otorrhea |
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Otorrhea On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[2]
Overview
Ear discharge is drainage of blood, ear wax, pus, or fluid from the ear.
What causes Otorrhea?
Most of the time, any fluid leaking out of an ear is ear wax.
A ruptured eardrum can cause a white, slightly bloody, or yellow discharge from the ear. Dry crusted material on a child's pillow is often a sign of a ruptured eardrum. The eardrum may also bleed.
Causes of a ruptured eardrum include:
- Foreign object in the ear canal
- Injury from a blow to the head, foreign object, very loud noises, or sudden pressure changes (such as in airplanes)
- Inserting cotton-tipped swabs or other small objects into the ear
- Middle ear infection
Other causes of ear discharge include:
- Eczema and other skin irritations in the ear canal
- Swimmer's ear - with symptoms such as itching, scaling, a red or moist ear canal, and pain that increases when you move the earlobe
Diagnosis
The health care provider will perform a physical examination and look inside the ears. You may be asked questions, such as:
- When did the ear drainage begin?
- What does it look like?
- How long has it lasted?
- Does it drain all the time or off-and-on?
- What other symptoms do you have (for example, fever, ear pain, headache)?
The health care provider may take a sample of the ear drainage and send it to a lab for examination.
The health care provider may recommend anti-inflammatory or antibiotic medicines, which are placed in the ear. Antibiotics may be given by mouth if a ruptured eardrum from an ear infection is causing the discharge.
When to seek urgent medical care?
- The discharge is white, yellow, clear, or bloody.
- The discharge is the result of an injury.
- The discharge has lasted more than 5 days.
- There is severe pain.
- The discharge is associated with other symptoms, such as fever or headache.
- There is loss of hearing.
- There is redness or swelling coming out of the ear canal.
Treatment options
Caring for ear discharge at home depends on the cause.
Where to find medical care for Otorrhea?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Otorrhea
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003042.htm Template:WH Template:WS