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Types of Ear Discharge

• Pus or Cloudy Fluid is the most common type of ear discharge. The main cause is a middle ear infection. The drainage comes through a torn eardrum. The eardrum ruptures in about 10% of bacterial ear infections. It often heals itself after the infection and drainage have settled. Sometimes a small hole remains.
• Otitis Externa is another common cause of discharge from infection in the ear canal, including swimmer's ear.
• Ear Tube Fluid Release. People with frequent ear infections may get ventilation tubes (ear tubes) put in. These help the middle ear drain its fluids and become dry. Sometimes, the ear tube gets plugged. Normal fluids build up in the middle ear until the ear tube opens up again. This can cause some clear fluid drainage from the ear canal for a day.
• Earwax is light brown, dark brown, or orange brown in color. If it gets wet, it can look like a discharge.
• Blood may follow an injury to the ear. Usually, it's just a minor scratch of the lining of the ear canal.
• Water. Bath or shower water can get in the ear canal. If you see a clear "discharge" that happens once, it is likely this.
• Swimmer's Ear Discharge. Early symptoms are an itchy ear canal. Later symptoms include a whitish, watery discharge. Mainly occurs in swimmers and in the summer time.
• Ear Canal Foreign Object. Small objects sometimes get put into the ear canal. It can cause a mild infection and pus-colored discharge. If the object was sharp, the discharge may have streaks of blood.