Ear Discharges or Bleeding

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What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office

The health care provider will perform a physical examination and ask
medical history questions, such as:

• Time pattern
  • When did it begin?
  • How long has the ear been draining?
  • Does it drain all the time or off-and-on?
• Quality
  • Is the drainage clear?
  • Is the drainage bloody?
  • Does the drainage look like pus?
• Other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
  • Is there a fever?
  • Is there an earache?
  • Is there a headache?

The physical examination will include a detailed examination of the ears. Diagnostic tests that may be performed include a culture (and cytology or cell studies) testing of drainage.

TREATMENT

Corticosteroid and antibiotic preparations that are placed in the ear canal may be prescribed. Oral antibiotics will usually be given if a ruptured eardrum is causing the discharge.

If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to ear drainage, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.