18-Year-Old Female Experiencing Unusual Ear Discharge After Illness
Recently, I (18, female) fell ill. It all began with familiar symptoms, including a sore throat, nasal congestion, thick mucus, and a sporadic cough. However, yesterday I began to feel sharp pain in my right ear, rating it about a 5 out of 10 on the pain scale. While I've had instances of ear congestion during illness before, this level of discomfort was unusual for me. While resting, I noticed unsettling sounds inside my ear—such as crackling and popping noises—followed by a discharge of clear, watery fluid along with some old earwax. I realized that each time I awoke, I found more fluid leaking, sometimes even onto my hair. Now, the pain has subsided, and my hearing has improved, yet I still feel some congestion in my ear. I can't help but feel a bit anxious about this situation. I'm considering the possibility of a sinus infection since I remain unwell, but I'm uncertain. I've dealt with sinus infections before, but I've never encountered a situation where liquid was seeping from my ear. Some discharge has persisted since last night.
Answers (1)
8/3/2025, 12:20:59 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing some concerning symptoms related to your ears and recent illness, particularly with the sharp pain, unusual sounds, and discharge. Here are the main points to consider:
-
Possible Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media): The symptoms you're describing—ear pain, congestion, and discharge—can indicate an ear infection, which can occur after upper respiratory illnesses like a cold.
-
Fluid Discharge: The clear, watery fluid leaking from your ear could result from various causes, including the resolution of a middle ear infection or a perforated eardrum. It's encouraging that your pain has decreased and hearing is improving, but ongoing discharge should be addressed.
Explanation:
The congestion and sharp pain suggest inflammation of the middle ear, potentially causing the eardrum to become more sensitive or even rupture, leading to fluid release. This can occur after a respiratory infection when mucus buildup obstructs the Eustachian tube, which connects the throat and middle ear, creating pressure and pain. The crackling and popping noises are often related to pressure changes in the ear.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep track of the discharge (amount and color), any changes in pain levels, and if any new symptoms develop (such as fever or worsening congestion). Document your findings to identify patterns.
-
Maintain Ear Hygiene: Gently clean the outer ear with a soft cloth if necessary, but avoid inserting anything into the ear canal. If the fluid has a foul smell or changes color, this may warrant more urgent attention.
-
Hydration and Steam Inhalation: Drink plenty of fluids to help thin mucus. Consider inhaling steam (from a bowl of hot water or a hot shower) to relieve congestion. This may help open the Eustachian tubes.
-
Avoid Irritants: Stay away from allergens, smoking, and other irritants that can exacerbate your symptoms.
-
Watch for Severe Symptoms: Seek immediate help if you experience severe pain, high fever, persistent hearing loss, or if the discharge becomes purulent (yellow or green) or foul-smelling.
Your anxiety is understandable given the situation, but focusing on these steps can help you manage the symptoms. If things do not improve in a few days or worsen, it would be advisable to seek a healthcare evaluation for further assessment.
Related Questions
Seeking Insights on Ongoing Symptoms
Hello everyone, I’m a 23-year-old female, and I recently underwent a colonoscopy last Thursday, but it has left me with even more uncertainty regarding my health. For the past three months, I have been grappling with several troubling symptoms. These include stools that are often pencil-thin—sometimes accompanied by bright red blood—severe constipation that can last for days, followed by bouts of diarrhea. I've also been experiencing a significant loss of appetite that resulted in a weight drop of 15 pounds since early May. Exhaustion haunts me, as I often find myself taking 4-6 hour naps on my days off yet still feeling drained afterwards. Other concerns include shortness of breath, painful backaches, daily nausea, a frequent urge to use the bathroom, hair thinning, bloating, and extreme belching. Due to my family’s history with colon cancer, fear consumed me; I was convinced that I had a few months left to live. This anxiety prompted me to quickly secure an appointment with a gastroenterologist recommended by the emergency room after I sought help for severe pain and constipation on May 5th. They performed a CT scan, which came back normal, and an ultrasound indicated the presence of multiple small ovarian cysts. A doctor at the ER identified one of these as having ruptured on the same day, but the symptoms continued, albeit with a milder sense of abdominal discomfort that just won't go away. After my colonoscopy, the only findings were one internal and one external hemorrhoid, which sounds like good news because it rules out cancer. However, the doctor didn’t provide much clarification during our brief conversation. He suggested I might have lactose intolerance, advised seeing a gynecologist, and sent me on my way. While it’s a relief that there’s no cancer involved, I’m left puzzled about how this addresses the unusual symptoms I’m experiencing. Why have I been observing consistently pencil-thin stools for three months? I monitor my stools each time I manage to go. Hemorrhoids don’t seem to account for this condition, at least not in the long run, do they? Could potential lactose intolerance be a contributing factor? If everything is somehow linked to gynecological issues, could that also cause my stool shape? I'm in a state of confusion! Thank you for taking the time to read my post!
Concern About Mild Cellulitis on Inner Thigh: Should I Be Worried?
At 30 years old, I've found myself facing what seems to be a mild case of cellulitis on the inner part of my thigh, and I can't help but feel unsettled about it. On Thursday evening, I noticed an unusual, dark purple pimple forming on the upper inner thigh. Unsurprisingly, I tried to pop it, but it was quite painful, and nothing came out. By Friday night, I observed that a red area, measuring around 1x2 inches, had developed around the blemish. Fast forward to Saturday afternoon, and the redness had intensified, expanding to about 2x3 inches. I sought medical attention at an urgent care clinic where a nurse practitioner drained the area and prescribed both oral and topical antibiotics, which I have been using diligently throughout the day. As of late Saturday, I'm uncertain if the size is still increasing, but the inflamed area appears to be morphing into a larger 3x3 blob; perhaps this is due to pulling off the bandage. My concern escalated when I browsed through Reddit and stumbled upon various accounts detailing severe cases of cellulitis. Horror stories filled the thread – tales of near-death experiences, unbearable pain, and even amputations. There seems to be a lack of reassurance, with most sharing tales of ineffective oral antibiotics that resulted in prolonged hospital stays on IVs rather than any comforting reports suggesting it would be okay. I am left wondering when I should seriously consider heading to the emergency room, especially since my symptoms seem limited to a light red oval surrounding the abscess. While I have dealt with skin infections before, this one is unusually alarming given its rapid growth. It's causing me quite a bit of anxiety, and it's interfering with my sleep.
Abdominal Discomfort and Concerns
Male, 29 years old, currently only taking 10mg of Ezetimibe for cholesterol management. As I approach the third week of experiencing discomfort in my abdomen, I've noticed a persistent sensation of pressure and bloating concentrated at the lower part of my torso. This feeling tends to change based on whether I am sitting or lying down. To articulate the experience, it resembles a bubble of air pushing upward beneath my ribs and extending into my lower back, as though air has detached from my internal organs and become lodged in my lower abdomen. I’ve sought medical attention at both an urgent care facility and from a specialist. My evaluations included a urine analysis, blood work, a breath test, and a CT scan both with and without contrast; however, these tests have yielded no clear findings. There are no obstructions, diverticulitis, infections, or swelling evident. The only notable result was a slight elevation in calcium levels from my blood tests, along with minor indications of fatty liver. I am currently waiting for an appointment with a gastroenterologist to schedule a colonoscopy, but I can’t shake the anxiety that this could indicate something more severe. Passing gas requires a small amount of effort, and defecation takes moderate effort. Nonetheless, it feels as if I am not fully evacuating my bowels. My stool is neither hard nor dark, nor is there any blood present. The only instance of loose stools occurred when I took a laxative under the impression that I was experiencing a blockage. My family medical history includes only my mother, who had uterine cancer. Are there any insights or advice?
Seeking Insight on Persistent Leg and Foot Issues
Hello Reddit community, I’m a 20-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 6 inches and weighing 130 pounds. For approximately five years, I have been experiencing numbness in my legs and feet. During my freshman year in high school, I participated in cross country and track without facing any problems. However, during my sophomore year, around 25 minutes into a run, I began noticing a peculiar numbness that starts at the lower part of my foot and spreads upwards along the back of my leg. Initially, this sensation would only occur late in my runs and would subside shortly after stopping. Over time, the onset of these symptoms has worsened, appearing sooner and lingering longer after activity. I've also dealt with noticeable weakness in my calf, ankle, and knee, which heightened my fear of potential falls while running cross country. After several sessions of physical therapy, I was sent to a cardiologist who suspected I might be suffering from popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES). Following an ultrasound and angiogram conducted by local physicians, no issues were detected, leading to a referral for compartment testing to a specialist an hour away. This physician, after taking in my history and conducting several ultrasounds, expressed confidence in proceeding with a left leg medial approach for popliteal artery release, questioning the validity of prior tests. Regrettably, my recovery from surgery did not yield any improvement; my symptoms intensified and began to occur even when standing, not just during running as previously experienced. In pursuit of further answers, I approached the Mayo Clinic, where an extensive series of tests was conducted, but ultimately, I was left without a clear diagnosis. Now, I'm facing three treatment paths: a complete compartment release across all four areas to confirm or rule out the condition (which sounds overly invasive and risky), a more aggressive posterior popliteal entrapment procedure (though I wonder if previous surgery would have resolved PAES if it were the issue), or the option to receive Botox injections targeting both chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) and PAES (this solution entails multiple injections for potentially temporary relief and may face insurance challenges). As a young, engaged nursing student, this situation is remarkably challenging. I struggle to stand for any substantial period without discomfort, leaving me feeling quite limited. I've encountered numerous physicians with differing opinions, making me feel somewhat lost in this situation. I would greatly appreciate any guidance or insight from those who might understand what I’m going through. At present, my symptoms include: - Numbness in my feet (distinct from the pins and needles sensation) after standing for around 30 minutes, walking briskly, or even running, which I rarely do now. - Pain behind my knees after standing for over half an hour, accompanied by discomfort and weakness in that area. - Weakness in my ankles, making it difficult to lift my foot while attempting to step forward. - General pain, weakness, and discomfort while standing or walking, with recovery taking several days. The following tests have been performed: - EMG (four instances, with one specifically to rule out tarsal tunnel syndrome) - MRI (five instances) - Lower Extremity Ultrasounds (six instances with popliteal entrapment maneuvers) - Compartment Testing (twice) - ECG/TEE - Blood Tests for Connective Tissue Disease - Evaluations for Dysautonomia, Autoimmunity/Paraneoplasia - Catecholamine Endocrine Study - Autonomic Reflex Screening - X-rays of the tibia and fibula - Angiograms (twice) - Exercise VO2 Max test - Overnight Oximetry monitor - Previous PAES release surgery Results from the Compartment Tests showed: Pre-exercise / Post-exercise readings: - Right Anterior: 14/27 - Right Lateral: 19/26 - Right Deep Posterior: 12/20 - Right Superficial Posterior: 12/21 - Left Anterior: 8/19 - Left Lateral: 20/29 - Left Deep Posterior: 12/14 - Left Superficial Posterior: 11/17 Thank you in advance for any support or insights you may be able to provide!
Changes in Vision: My Experience and Concerns
I'm a 22-year-old female weighing 210 pounds and residing in the U.S., and I have a mixed eye prescription. My journey with strabismus began with surgery at the age of two, followed by another procedure at fourteen. Unfortunately, the eye that was treated has started to become lazy again a few years post-surgery. Lately, it seems that my vision has deteriorated further, leading me to my latest prescription. I'm seeking clarity on what this indicates about my condition and what I might anticipate moving forward. Could it mean my eyesight will continue to decline? Right Eye (OD): Sphere +1.25, Cylinder -0.75 Left Eye (OS): Sphere -1.50, Cylinder -0.25