Why Is There Water Coming Out of My Ear?

In normal people, both the inside and outside of the ear canal produce some earwax, most of which is dry, clean, and uncontaminated. If water is found draining from the ear, it is essential to take notice. This condition is also known as ear discharge and is a clear indication of ear disease. Ear discharge can be classified into several types, and each type requires targeted treatment to avoid triggering other serious illnesses. What causes water to drain from the ear? Here are some possible reasons:

Water draining from the ear may be due to lipoid ear discharge, which is primarily related to excessive secretions. It is often yellowish-brown or light yellow, viscous, and oily, generally odorless, and commonly known as "oily ears".

The presence of pus draining from the ear may indicate the presence of suppurative otitis media, including external otitis, otitis media, and suppurative parotitis. Purulent ear discharge may also occur when an abscess ruptures into the external ear canal. If the pus is not abundant but has a foul odor, the possibility of a cholesteatoma should be considered.

Liquid draining from the ear may be hemorrhagic ear discharge, which is often related to trauma. However, one should be vigilant for the possibility of a vascular tumor or middle ear cancer. Especially in the case of middle ear cancer, the pus may contain blood, have a foul odor, or be accompanied by severe ear pain or headache, which are ominous signs.

This condition typically occurs after cranial trauma or skull base fractures, resulting in rupture of the eardrum and slow drainage of clear, watery fluid from the external ear canal, often mixed with blood. This is a characteristic of cerebrospinal fluid ear discharge, which can lead to meningitis and requires special attention.