Do you smell that? An offensive smelling odor from the ear is often assumed to be a sign of infection but there are a few other non-infectious causes that also need to be considered. The odor may be associated with an ear discharge, ear wax or something even more serious.
Causes of a Smelly Ear Odor or Smelly Ear Wax
Hygiene
Excessive cleaning of the outer ear is more likely to result in offensive odors than the untouched ear canal. This is in stark contrast to other parts of the body where a foul odor is a sign of poor hygiene. By interfering with the microenvironment of the outer ear through cleaning with cotton wool cue tips, matchsticks or hair pins, the normal cleaning mechanism is disturbed. The chance of injury and infection is greatly increased (otitis externa / swimmer’s ear). Usually the discharge is odorless and clear but can progress as described below under infections.
Other factors that may also affect the ear canal and disrupt the cerumen is water in the ears (bathing, swimming pool), detergents, shampoos and allergic reactions usually due to these substances entering the outer ear.
Ear Infections
An infection of the outer and middle ear (otitis externa and media) is the most common cause of a smelly ear discharge (otorrhea). A purulent discharge may appear white to pale yellow initially. Initially the discharge may be odorless but can progress into a foul smelling odor. With more chronic infections (like chronic otitis media) or discharge that is not easily expelled, the color may change to yellow to green. The reason for this is explained under Green Mucus. Necrotizing otitis externa is a more likely cause of a smelly ear discharge.
Most of these infections are due to bacteria although fungal infections (otomycosis) may also be responsible. Discharge in a fungal infection is usually not as pronounced and may sometimes present...
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...just with a clear thin discharge (serous). Otomycosis usually affects the outer ear. Immunocompromised patients are more likely to experience chronic (persistent or recurrent) fungal infections of the middle ear (consider mucormycosis).
Cholesteatoma
A cholesteatoma is a keratin mass in the middle ear. It may be congenital (present from birth) or acquired and predispose the middle ear to chronic infections. In addition, it may cause erosion of the surrounding tissue and even the skull. In a cholesteatoma, the tympanic membrane (eardrum) may be intact. While there is no perforation, ear discharge is still able to exit into the outer ear through a retraction of the eardum.
A cholesteatoma causes a chronic but scanty offensive smelling ear discharge. In the early stages, the condition is often painless and apart from the discharge, only an impairment of the hearing may be noticed. A cholesteatoma is a serious condition that needs immediate medical attention by an ENT specialist (otolaryngologist).
Tumors
Cancer of the ear can affect the outer, middle or inner ear, although temporal bone cancer may responsible in outer ear lesions. In the outer and middle ear, the cancer may cause ulceration and erode surrounding tissue. A foul smelling blood stained discharge and pain is often noted although at times this may not be present. It nevertheless has to be considered as a possible cause especially if there is any degradation of the sense of hearing.
Remedies for Smelly Ear Wax
- Ear drops prepared from diluted white vinegar are effective in keeping the ear dry. It also acts as an antiseptic solution.
- The choice of antibiotic ear drops is always preferred when the infection is bacterial in origin. At times when the infection is substantially severe, your doctor may also prescribe oral anti-bacterial medications.
- Eating food with high nutritional value always helps boost your immunity. Maintain healthy immunity to ward off infections naturally.
- Make the ear wax soft and lose before you attempt to remove it. To do this, put a few drops of warm mineral oil in your ear passage and let it remain for few hours by plugging the ear with a simple and clean cotton ball.
- Dip a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol and clean the outside ear canal once every week in a gentle manner. It helps clean the accumulated dirt and grime.
