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Fluid or blood draining from the ear, or a burst eardrum

Also called: Ruptured eardrum, perforated eardrum, ear drainage, otorrhea

Fluid or blood draining from the ear often means the eardrum has burst, usually from a middle ear infection, a loud blast, a blow to the ear, or putting something in the ear. Most burst eardrums heal on their own in a few weeks. Clear fluid after a head injury, or drainage with severe dizziness or facial weakness, is an emergency.

Common causesEar infection, swimmer's ear, injury, cotton swabs
Usually serious?Usually not
Get checked ifThere's drainage, especially after an injury or with fever
If you think it's an emergency, call 911.Thinking about suicide? Call or text 988.

Overview

When pressure from a middle ear infection builds up, the eardrum may burst. Pain often eases suddenly as fluid or pus drains out. Hearing may be muffled and there may be ringing.

Swimmer's ear (an outer ear infection) can also cause drainage. Injuries from cotton swabs, a slap, an explosion, or diving can tear the eardrum. Clear, watery fluid after a head injury may be spinal fluid and needs emergency care.

When to get medical care

Call 911Clear or bloody fluid from the ear after a head injury. Ear drainage with a severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, or high fever. Drainage with sudden facial weakness.
Get care todayEar drainage with fever or severe pain. Drainage with dizziness, vomiting, or sudden hearing loss. Swelling or redness behind the ear. A burst eardrum from a blast or object.
See a doctor soonEar drainage that lasts more than a few days. Hearing that doesn't return within a few weeks. Repeat ear drainage.

Causes

Common causes include middle ear infection, swimmer's ear, cotton swab or object injury, a slap or blow to the ear, very loud noise, and pressure changes from flying or diving. Other causes include ear tubes, cholesteatoma (a skin growth in the middle ear), and skull fracture.

OwieClear has pages on 3 conditions that can cause fluid or blood draining from the ear, or a burst eardrum. Each shows how soon to get care.

Common causes

What you can do at home

  • Keep the ear dry: use a cotton ball with petroleum jelly in the outer ear when showering.
  • Don't swim until the eardrum heals.
  • Don't put anything in the ear, including swabs or drops, unless prescribed.
  • Gently wipe drainage from the outer ear only.
  • Use a warm cloth over the ear for pain.

Medicines

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can ease pain. A provider may prescribe antibiotic ear drops that are safe for a burst eardrum, or antibiotics by mouth. Eardrums that don't heal may need a patch or surgery.

At the doctor

The provider will look at the eardrum.

Questions you may be asked

  • When the drainage started
  • Pain before the drainage
  • Injury, loud noise, or objects in the ear
  • Fever, dizziness, or hearing loss
  • Past ear infections

The exam

A look in the ear with an otoscope.

Tests

  • A hearing test
  • A culture of the drainage
  • A CT scan after a head injury

Prevention

You can protect your eardrums.

  • Don't put swabs or objects in the ear
  • Treat ear infections
  • Protect ears from loud noise
  • Swallow or yawn when flying

Check your symptoms

Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.

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Sources

Last updated 2026-11-13.