Definition of Ear discharge:

Ear discharge is drainage of blood, ear wax, pus, or fluid from the ear.

Considerations:

Most of the time, any fluid leaking out of an ear is ear wax.

However, discharge may also be caused by a minor irritation or infection. 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.

Bleeding from the ear may also be due to:

• Trauma to the ear canal
• Foreign object in the ear canal
• Injury
• Cancer

Common Causes:

• Eczema and other skin irritations in the ear canal
• Inflammation or infection:
  • Otitis externa
  • Otitis externa - chronic
  • Otitis externa - malignant
  • Otitis media
  • Otitis media - chronic
  • Mastoiditis
• Injury from a blow to the head, foreign object, very loud noises, or sudden pressure changes (such as in airplanes), resulting in a ruptured or perforated eardrum
• Swimmer's ear -- usually accompanied by itching, scaling, a red or moist ear canal and pain that increases when you move the earlobe