Liquid behind ear drum skin#

Other rare causes include a skull fracture, which is a break in any of the bones in the skull, or mastoiditis, which is an infection of the mastoid bone behind your ear. Less common causesĪ less common cause for ear discharge is malignant otitis externa, a complication of swimmer’s ear that causes damage to the cartilage and bones in the base of the skull. Any damage to your ear canal makes it more susceptible to infection. It can also occur if you insert a foreign object into the ear.

Liquid behind ear drum skin#

This might occur if you have irritated skin as a result of eczema. It can result whenever there’s a break in the skin of the ear canal. However, swimmer’s ear isn’t exclusive to swimmers. This allows bacteria or fungus to enter and cause an infection. Too much moisture inside your ear can break down the skin on the walls of your ear canal. It usually occurs when you spend long periods of time in water. Otitis externa, commonly known as swimmer’s ear, occurs when bacteria or fungus infects your ear canal. However, these cases aren’t as common as the others described. Acoustic trauma can cause your eardrum to rupture as well. These situations may also cause your eardrum to rupture or tear.Īcoustic trauma is damage to the ear due to extremely loud noises. Such trauma can occur while cleaning your ear with a cotton swab if you push it in too deep.Īn increase in pressure, such as when you’re flying in an airplane or scuba diving, can also result in trauma to your ear. Injuries or infections, however, can lead to fluids like pus or blood leaking out of your ear. Earwax is easy to recognize, as it is often sticky and yellow or brown. Most of the time, the only discharge you find is the earwax you see in your ear canal. Trauma to the ear canal can also cause discharge. Ear discharge, or ear drainage, happens when fluid leaks out of your ear.

If there is too much fluid, there is a risk of perforation of the eardrum, which can lead to ear discharge. These are vital to hearing.Įar infections in the middle ear can cause fluid to build up behind the eardrum. Otitis media occurs when bacteria or viruses make their way into the middle ear. Middle ear infection (otitis media) is a common cause of discharge from the ear. Is it possible that the ear fluid will just go away on its own Fluid often goes away on its own, so your doctor will often recommend watchful waiting for the first 3 months. Other conditions that can cause discharge include infection or injury. Ear fluid, also called otitis media with effusion (OME), is a build-up of mucus or liquid behind the ear drum without symptoms of infection.

In most cases, discharge from your ear is simply ear wax making its way out of your body.