Green or yellow ear discharge
Ear discharge typically ranges in color from light orange to dark brown, but if the ear discharge is yellow, green, white, or black, it is a sign of infection and you should see a doctor, says Benjamin Tweel, an otolaryngologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
Infections can occur and the exact cause may not be determined, but conditions like “swimmer’s ear” – caused by water trapped in the ear – can also lead to ear infections.
Scaly ear discharge
If the ear is scaly and dry inside, it may be eczema. This type of ear discharge, which can be accompanied by pain, may also be a sign of psoriasis, although this condition is less common.
Patients usually know they have this condition because they will see rashes in other places, but it is always a good idea to see a doctor, he says.
Watery ear discharge
If you feel your ear is wetter after exercising, it is probably just sweat, but if you wake up with ear discharge on your pillow or crusted around the ear, it is a sign of an ear infection or chronic ear condition.
Feeling ear discharge in the ear
If you have a constant feeling of ear discharge in your ear, it is likely that your ear canal is clogged and needs to be cleaned by a doctor.
Contrary to popular belief, cotton swabs don’t actually clean the ear; instead, they push earwax deeper into the ear canal, which can lead to accumulation, irritation, and even damage to the bones in the ear. Do not use cotton swabs to remove ear discharge!
How to properly remove ear discharge?
Many people have the habit of removing ear discharge themselves using tools like cotton swabs, sharp objects, candle wicks, even metal rods… This practice poses many risks and can lead to situations such as getting cotton swab stuck inside, ear trauma. Especially when digging the ear, unintentional external collisions may cause accidents, resulting in ruptured eardrums, ear canal damage, and worse, it can cause deafness.
Currently, many people also go to massage parlors, hair salons, or hairdressers to have their ear discharge removed regularly. This needs to be done with caution because there are many risks if the staff at the establishment is not competent or trained in the technique. Not to mention that the tools will not guarantee hygiene (not to mention sterility). If shared tools are used, there is a risk of infection with skin diseases such as fungi… Especially if the ear discharge removal is not safe, it can lead to the consequences of bacteria infiltrating the middle ear, inner ear, and more severe complications such as brain inflammation – meningitis…
Therefore, it is not advisable to casually remove ear discharge as a regular habit. When ear discharge affects hearing or causes ear-related diseases, it is necessary to go to healthcare facilities or see a specialist doctor to have the ear discharge removed safely and hygienically.
