Is it dangerous if the ear secretes yellow, foul-smelling fluid?

Reader Ha (40 years old, female, HCMC): I have had wet earwax since I was a child. Recently, when I cleaned my ears, I saw that the discharge was yellow and smelled bad. However, my hearing is still normal. Doctor, is this condition dangerous and do I need to see a doctor?

Master - Doctor CKII Le Nhat Vinh - Head of Interdisciplinary Department - Nam Saigon International General Hospital:

Hello,

First of all, wet earwax is a normal physiological characteristic. Wet or dry earwax depends on each person's genetics. They both have the task of protecting the ear canal from harmful external agents.

However, if your ear secretes yellow fluid with a foul odor, you may have a problem related to your ear, nose, and throat.

Some medical conditions that cause foul-smelling yellow discharge from the ear include:

• Otitis media: An infection that causes fluid to be secreted from the ear, possibly with a foul odor. Severe otitis media can lead to complications ranging from mild to dangerous such as: hearing loss, perforated eardrum, meningitis, brain abscess, sepsis, lateral vein thrombosis, endocarditis, etc.
• Otitis externa: Infection of the outer ear can cause the glands that produce earwax to become overactive, causing abnormal discharge. Some complications of otitis externa include: Abscess of the external ear canal, necrotizing otitis externa, damage to the eardrum and hearing loss, etc.
• Ear canal fungus: Causes an itchy feeling in the ear accompanied by smelly ear discharge, causing temporary hearing loss due to blockage of the ear canal. If not treated promptly, ear canal fungus can lead to: otitis media, recurrent ear infections, severe cases can cause perforation of the eardrum, infection spreading to the temporal bone area.

In addition, earwax that accumulates and stagnates for a long time when decomposing can create a foul odor and yellow secretion.

Advice from doctors:

For Ms. Ha's condition, she needs to monitor the symptoms and go to a hospital with an ENT specialist for examination and treatment if:

• Ear discharge is frequent and lasts more than 2-3 days;
• Discharge is dark yellow, green, or bloody;
• Ear pain, ringing in the ears, ear blockage or hearing loss;
• Earache and fever.

After a clinical examination and performing imaging diagnostic methods to find the exact cause of your foul-smelling yellow ear discharge, the doctor will come up with an appropriate treatment plan.

I wish Ms. Ha a quick recovery.

Readers who need advice on health and disease prevention, do not hesitate to send questions to the Alo Doctor Consulting Inbox .

HELLO DOCTOR

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tai-tiet-dich-vang-co-mui-hoi-co-nguy-hiem-khong-post791044.html