Otorrhea: everything a doctor and patient need to know

Abstract

Otorrhea is discharge from the external auditory canal. Although the pathology is allocated to a separate nosology in the International Classification of Diseases, X revision (code H92.1), it should not be considered as an independent disease, but rather as a symptom indicating a possible pathological process in the ear or adjacent structures. The discharge may have a liquid or thick consistency, contain blood impurities. Purulent discharge is usually white or yellowish in color; they indicate the presence of infection. But is otorrhea always a symptom of pathology? In some cases, discharge from the ear is physiological in nature and does not pose a danger to human health. The secretion of earwax is a natural process; it is produced by special ceruminous glands, the main functions of which are: • protection and lubrication: sulfur softens the skin of the ear canal, preventing it from drying out and cracking; • removal of foreign bodies — the viscous consistency of sulfur helps to trap dust, hair, insects, and other small particles, preventing their further movement through the ear canal; • antibacterial properties — earwax has a slightly acidic environment (pH about 6), which prevents the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.