Patient's question:
Recently, my baby has been having yellow liquid coming out of their ear after bathing when using cotton swabs to clean inside the ear, but sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. When it does, using tissues to dry it inside the ear makes it go away. However, the ear sometimes has yellow liquid and sometimes it doesn't. I'm wondering what could be causing this.What kind of help do I need: What could be the reason for yellow liquid coming out of the ear?
Doctor's answer:
Yellow fluid in the ear could be caused by otitis media. The most common cause is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, such as a cold or flu, which can lead to nasal congestion and easily result in otitis media. Excessive force when blowing the nose can also cause otitis media. Improperly expanding the eustachian tube during swimming may allow bacteria to enter the middle ear or cause a traumatic tympanic membrane injury, leading to otitis media. Bacteria entering the middle ear from the external ear canal can also trigger otitis media.Infants, due to certain physiological characteristics, can develop otitis media if the feeding position is incorrect, such as being held horizontally or lying flat while sucking on a bottle. Milk can easily enter the middle ear through the eustachian tube, potentially causing infection. Otitis media is a common cause of ear pain in children, often occurring in those under 8 years old. The pain is usually a complication of upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold or throat infections. Therefore, patients need a thorough examination by an otolaryngologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.