Drainage from the ear
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Drainage from the ear
It is normal for earwax to drain from the ear. A discharge of earwax is light to dark brown or orange and often has no odor. Draining earwax usually is not painful.
After bathing, swimming, or inserting eardrops, fluid may drain from the ear. This also is normal.
Drainage from the ear that does not have an obvious cause, such as a ruptured eardrum or an infection of the eardrum (myringitis), may indicate a problem that requires a visit to a health professional.
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology |
| Last Updated | February 13, 2008 |
| Last updated: | February 13, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Reviewed By: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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