Sometimes an adult or a child develops pus in the ear. Such discharge from the ear canal is yellowish brown and characterized by an extremely unpleasant odor. Often, this phenomenon is accompanied by severe pain. What diseases can pus in the ears indicate? And how to deal with an unpleasant condition?
Main reasons
Why is pus formed in the ear? The main reason leading to suppuration is the effect of bacteria and viruses. Such microorganisms are initially found in the larynx. Through the Eustachian tube, they freely move into the cavity located behind the eardrum.
If a person suffers from an allergy, has a cold, then such a pipe is clogged with him. As a result, normal mucus outflow is simply not possible. A similar picture is observed in children suffering from proliferation of adenoids. Since mucus is not excreted naturally, pathogens begin to accumulate. And this inevitably leads to the fact that the patient has pus in the ears.
Most often, a similar problem is faced by people whose immunity is very weakened. Purulent discharge from the ear cavity is often observed in children. This is due to age features. Babies have a wider and shorter auditory tube. That is why pathogens are much easier to penetrate into it.
So, if pus flows from the ear , what diseases can we talk about?
Purulent otitis media
This is the most common reason. Purulent otitis media is an unpleasant pathology in which the mucous membrane of the middle ear becomes inflamed.
Most often, the following sources provoke the ailment:
- A variety of viruses, infections. Often pus in the ear is a complication of tonsillitis, flu.
- Certain pathologies of the nasopharynx and nose. The formation of pus can be based on rhinitis, curvature of the septum, and proliferation of adenoids.
- Ingestion of milk in the baby in the ear canal. This situation can lead to infection.
- Hypothermia. The development of purulent otitis media most often occurs in the summer, after swimming in water. The inflammatory process provoked by hypothermia leads to the development of the disease.
- Injury. This reason is mainly characteristic of children. Unsuccessful ear cleaning, which damages the septum, or an object inserted into the ear with a small discoverer, leads to pus formation.
- Surgical interventions. Of course, at risk are patients who underwent surgery in the nasopharynx and nose.
Symptoms for this disease are as follows:
- pain appears in the ear, which most intensely makes itself felt at night;
- the patient’s well-being is seriously impaired;
- pus appears, initially at night;
- dried secretions are observed in the sink;
- with the development of inflammation, pus begins to flow out of the ear;
- swelling is observed;
- temperature rises;
- headache occurs;
- hearing loss.
Sometimes pathology proceeds in a chronic form. With such a disease, there may be no discomfort, including pain.
Treatment methods
Of course, the question arises: if pus is found in the ears - what should I do? It is completely not recommended to attempt independent treatment if a person has purulent otitis media in the acute stage. Such a pathology can lead to meningitis. Therefore, it is extremely important to contact the laura in a timely manner.
The doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotic therapy to the patient. The most commonly used drug is Amoxicillin. In the presence of pus, it is strictly forbidden to apply warming compresses to the sick ear. Do not apply any drops on your own.
In case of chronic otitis media, the doctor will initially clear the cavity of pus. Special antibacterial drops will be recommended to the patient. And further treatment methods depend on the size of the opening in the membrane. For small sizes, a film of artificial fabric is used. Under it, the wound of a week in 2-3 completely heals. If the hole is large enough, then tympanoplasty is performed (surgical repair of the membrane).
The development of furunculosis
Pus in the ears of an adult can occur as a result of a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes the appearance of boils leads to its appearance. This disease is most often caused by staphylococci.
Furunculosis develops, as a rule, as a result of the following factors:
- penetration into the ear canal of water;
- combing the sink;
- non-compliance with hygiene.
The following symptoms are characteristic of the disease:
- severe pain in the ear cavity;
- discomfort increases during chewing or talking;
- the appearance of itching in the sink
- the presence of discharge from the ear cavity, green or yellow (signal the opening of the boil).
Therapy of furunculosis
How to treat pus in the ear in this case? It should be said that without consulting a doctor it is extremely dangerous to take any methods of combating the disease. Therefore, do not delay the visit, contact a specialist.
Most often, the doctor prescribes such therapy:
- thermal procedures (it is recommended to apply a heating pad to the affected ear);
- analgesics;
- local remedies (on a tampon put in the sink for 12 hours ichthyol ointment);
- antibiotics, with a deterioration in overall well-being (drugs: "Flucloxacillin", "Amoxicillin").
The appearance of otomycosis
The fungus can also provoke pus in the ears of an adult. It is such a pathology that is called otomycosis in medicine. The disease is characterized by the penetration of the fungus into the outer region of the ear, as well as the walls of the ear canal. This pathology tends to spread over time. In this case, deeper tissues are affected.
Otomycosis leads to metabolic disorders, weakening of the whole body, the occurrence of vitamin deficiency (hypovitaminosis).
Signs of the disease appear as the disease progresses. With an initial degree, pathology is practically not manifested. Symptoms are almost invisible. As soon as otomycosis passes into an acute form, the patient has such complaints:
- strong pain;
- the ear swells;
- curdled white discharge from the ear cavity may be observed;
- itching
- hearing loss;
- purulent discharge of brown color flows from the sink.
Treatment of otomycosis
Each person understands: if it was the fungus that provoked pus in the ear, what to do in this case. Of course, the pathology should be treated with special antifungal agents.
But do not rush to take therapy yourself. It is very important to correctly identify the causative agent of the disease and choose adequate therapy. For these purposes, the doctor will take a swab from the ear cavity. According to the results of the study, competent treatment will be selected.
The patient is advised to carefully protect the ear from the penetration of water into it. Do not forget that in a humid environment, the fungus develops rapidly.
In addition, remember: otomycosis is an extremely insidious pathology. If the necessary treatment is not taken in a timely manner, then the ailment can become chronic. In this case, it will become very difficult to completely cure him.
Cholesteatoma development
This is an extremely severe pathology. A cholesteatoma is characterized by the appearance of a tumor in the ear, which has a layered structure. At the center of this formation is a core containing a yellowish-white liquid with a putrid odor.
This pathology most often differs in congenital origin. At the heart of its development are various violations in the temporal zone.
Pathology is characterized by:
- the presence of pain in the ear area;
- pus in the ear;
- hearing loss.
Methods of dealing with the disease
Self-medication is out of the question. If it is the cholesteatoma that is provoked by pus in the ears, the treatment is prescribed exclusively by professional doctors.
With this disease, surgical intervention is undertaken. The operation is aimed at removing all affected or infected bone tissue. To save the ear, doctors carry out one of the interventions, depending on the spread of the disease: mastioidectomy, atticoantrotomy, atticotomy.
If during the operation it turns out to connect the external auditory canal with the postoperative cavity, then the discharge from the shell will continue. Such a clinic is observed until the cavity is covered with skin.
Other reasons
Most often, the above diseases become the source of pus in the ear cavity. However, these are not the only reasons that can provoke such an unpleasant phenomenon.
Sometimes the patient has pus from the ear as a result of such pathologies:
- A variety of injuries. Very often they lead to the development of the inflammatory process in the shell, against which pus forms in the cavity.
- Polyps. Such pathology is indicated by purulent-bloody discharge.
- Infectious Meningitis In some cases, pus arising from the ear cavity is a symptom of an extremely serious ailment.
- Various pathologies of the ears and eyes.
Diagnostic Methods
As you already understood, regardless of whether there is pus from the ear in a child or in an adult, the first thing you need to see a doctor. Only a specialist can correctly identify the nature of such a phenomenon.
The doctor may suspect a pathology according to the following signs:
- Pain in the ear, accompanied by purulent discharge, most often indicates the development of otitis media in the patient, in acute form.
- In a patient who is fond of swimming, or affected by seborrheic eczema, external otitis media is most often diagnosed.
- A surgery in the temple or a head injury may indicate cerebrospinal fluid.
- With perforation of the membrane or chronic dysfunction of the auditory tube, an assumption arises about the presence of cholesteatoma.
To make a diagnosis, of course, a physical examination will be performed. Otoscopy allows you to determine the perforation of the membrane, identify symptoms of external otitis media, notice a foreign body in the cavity. If necessary, additional research methods will be prescribed to the patient.
Conclusion
The appearance of pus in the ear cavity is an extremely negative symptom that can indicate a wide variety of diseases. But remember: it signals a problem in the body. Therefore, be sure to pay attention to it. And to avoid serious consequences, contact a doctor immediately and begin adequate treatment.