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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Pain In The Ear With Swelling And Pus Discharge

Hello, the last few days I ve had horrible ear pain. I can t sleep at night at all. I got ear drops 2 days ago and that hasn t helped any. My ear canal is swollen and red. I have a bloody pussy discharge that comes out. I m not sure what to do? Opinions??
posted on Mon, 21 Jul 2014
Twitter Fri, 12 Sep 2014 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 15 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on
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ENT Specialist,  's  Response
Hi. This sounds like a bad infection of the outer ear canal.

Here is how you can evaluate what you have and what you should do next.

1. The bloody discharge with pus is not a good sign and an indication to see an ENT specialist as it is. If the pus is sticky in nature (stringy) then it suggests an ear drum perforation and middle ear disease. This warrants for an ENT evaluation at the earliest.

2. If the pus is not sticky then press the small cartilaginous flap called tragus that lies at the opening of the ear canal. If your pain worsens then it indicates an outer ear infection. This may require placement of ear wicks soaked in antibiotic ointment to help resolve the swelling and congestion. You may also need a course of oral antibiotics.

I would suggest you show this to an ENT specialist before it gets worse. It doesnt look like a simple infection that you can manage on your own.

Hope this improves soon.
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Suggest Treatment For Pain In The Ear With Swelling And Pus Discharge

Hi. This sounds like a bad infection of the outer ear canal. Here is how you can evaluate what you have and what you should do next. 1. The bloody discharge with pus is not a good sign and an indication to see an ENT specialist as it is. If the pus is sticky in nature (stringy) then it suggests an ear drum perforation and middle ear disease. This warrants for an ENT evaluation at the earliest. 2. If the pus is not sticky then press the small cartilaginous flap called tragus that lies at the opening of the ear canal. If your pain worsens then it indicates an outer ear infection. This may require placement of ear wicks soaked in antibiotic ointment to help resolve the swelling and congestion. You may also need a course of oral antibiotics. I would suggest you show this to an ENT specialist before it gets worse. It doesnt look like a simple infection that you can manage on your own. Hope this improves soon.