What the colour may mean
- Brown, orange or yellow and sticky: usually earwax.
- Clear and watery: water, skin weeping, early infection or a perforated eardrum; after a head injury, possible cerebrospinal fluid.
- White, yellow or green, thick: infection.
- Bloody: perforated eardrum, injury, barotrauma or a scratched canal.
- Black or grey with fluffy material: possible fungal infection.
See fungal ear infection.
Outer ear infection (otitis externa)
Infection of the ear canal causes pain, itching, discharge, a blocked feeling and pain when pulling the ear. It is common after swimming, in humid weather, with eczema and after cotton bud use. Treatment is with ear drops and keeping the ear dry.
See swimmer’s ear.
Middle ear infection with a burst eardrum
A middle ear infection builds pressure behind the eardrum. If the eardrum bursts, pus and sometimes blood drain out, and the pain often eases suddenly. This is common in children. Most small perforations heal within a few weeks.
Clear fluid leaking without pain
Clear fluid without pain is often water trapped after swimming or showering, or weeping skin from eczema in the ear canal. It may also be from a healing perforation or grommet. A doctor can examine the ear to find the cause. Clear, watery fluid after a head injury, especially with a salty taste or a clear runny nose, needs emergency assessment.
See water in ear treatment and fluid in ear.
Earwax
Earwax is normal and protects the ear. It can look wet or dry, light or dark, and may come out naturally. Cotton buds push wax deeper and can scratch the canal.
See earwax blockage and best way to clean ears.
Blood from the ear
Bloody drainage may follow a burst eardrum, a scratched ear canal, a pimple, a foreign object or pressure changes during flying or diving. Bleeding after a head injury needs urgent assessment.
See ear bleeding and ear barotrauma.
Long-standing smelly discharge
Discharge that keeps coming back or lasts for weeks, especially if smelly and with hearing loss, may indicate chronic suppurative otitis media (a long-standing perforation with infection) or cholesteatoma, an abnormal skin growth behind the eardrum. These need assessment by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.
Drainage with grommets (ear tubes)
Children with grommets may have discharge when they get a cold or water enters the ear. This is usually treated with antibiotic ear drops.
See ear tubes.
What you can do
- Gently wipe the outer ear with a clean cloth.
- Do not insert cotton buds or other objects.
- Keep the ear dry: cover it in the shower and avoid swimming.
- Use painkillers if needed.
- Do not use ear drops if you think the eardrum may be perforated, unless prescribed.
Medical treatment
Treatment depends on the cause: antibiotic or antifungal ear drops for outer ear infections, oral antibiotics in some middle ear infections, microsuction to clean the ear canal and, for chronic problems, surgery to repair the eardrum or remove cholesteatoma.
Ear drainage in children
In young children, discharge after a period of ear pain and fever usually means the eardrum has burst due to a middle ear infection. See a doctor, especially if the child is under 2, has a high fever or seems unwell.
Preventing ear discharge
- Do not use cotton buds or put objects in the ear.
- Dry the outer ear gently after swimming or showering.
- Use earplugs for swimming if you get frequent outer ear infections.
- Treat skin conditions such as eczema in the ear.
- Avoid flying or diving with a heavy cold.
When to seek urgent help
- Clear fluid from the ear or nose after a head injury.
- Severe pain, fever and feeling very unwell.
- Swelling, redness or a lump behind the ear.
- Weakness of the face, severe dizziness or confusion.
- Sudden hearing loss.
Key points to remember
- Brown discharge is usually earwax.
- Yellow or green discharge suggests infection.
- Discharge with sudden relief of pain often means a burst eardrum.
- Clear fluid after a head injury is an emergency.
Questions about ear drainage
These answers are general information and do not replace an examination or individual medical advice.
Why is clear fluid leaking from my ear with no pain?
Often trapped water or weeping skin; a doctor should check if it persists.
Is ear drainage a sign of infection?
Yellow, green or smelly discharge usually is.
What does a burst eardrum feel like?
Sudden relief of pain followed by discharge and muffled hearing.
Should I clean ear drainage?
Wipe the outer ear only; do not put anything inside.
Can earwax be liquid?
Wax can be soft and runny, especially in warm weather.
How long does ear drainage last?
Discharge from an infection usually settles within a few days of treatment.
When is ear drainage an emergency?
After a head injury, or with facial weakness, confusion or swelling behind the ear.
Can I swim with a draining ear?
No. Keep the ear dry until it has healed.
Does ear drainage mean hearing loss?
Hearing may be muffled temporarily; persistent loss needs checking.
Sources
This guide is for general information and does not replace medical advice. How a problem is diagnosed and treated depends on your examination and medical history. If you think you have an emergency, contact your local emergency services.