Leaking ear with visible pus.... it stinks bad

[chittychittybangbang80]

I've only just noticed tonight when checking in on my son that he has a really foul smelling ear which is covered in pus and leaking fluid. Should I take him to the doctors/A&E or do something?
He hasn't shown any visible signs of pain and was dancing around all evening to jingle bells. He is 2 and a half....
No temperature, his outer ear is red and you can visibly see white pus on it and the pillow case had yellow liquid wax on it when I moved him.
I'm just worried that it's something bad (pls reassure me!)

I meant to type *wouldnt..

I really do t think you need to panic, ear infections can cause problems if they are left and not treated but overnight it's highly likely hell be fine. Perhaps keep some calpol to hand incase he wakes up in pain later.

Bejesus, ear infections can cause permanent hearing loss. If it’s leaking pus it’s not nothing and needs to be seen by a doctor. A late night pharmacy is not going to cut it.

It’s worth calling 111 to see if there’s a small injuries locally. But failing that will be A and E.

28 ear infections later my DS hearing is totally fine! He is under ENT and has it checked every 3 months. I would say he's had some nasty infections!

How old is he? Is he able to say if he's in pain or not?

DD had 15 ear infections in six months. If he's not unwell with a high temp I would wait until the morning if he's sleeping peacefully and not showing any signs of pain. Ideally tomorrow though I would seek advice from OOH or A&E if necessary.

Is it me or does that look more like sticky wax to me than pus? Like when you get water in your ear and it comes out a short while later all gross?

Don't take the poor mite to A&E unless 111 tell you to. You may well be there all night as he won't be anywhere near a priority if he's otherwise fine in himself. Hopefully 111 can sort out an out of hours GP appointment 🤞

I personally wouldn’t go to A&E.
You’re better at home if he’s sleeping, no temperature and not unwell. I think they’ll want to see you and probably give antibiotics… but it’s not a middle of the night emergency from what you’re describing. Bad timing with Christmas tho so I see your dilemma.

My 3 are prone to ear infections and they can leak fluid without actually bursting. But if perforated there is usually more fluid and pain (before the bursting!), and 99% of the time mine have had a temperature with it.

@chittychittybangbang80

Not sure if these will show but my DS current ear 🤦‍♀️ but he is totally fine on himself and it will sort itself out eventually. If it's still like it in a week we will get antibiotics to clear it up.

Personally I’d just ring the out of hours Gp or 111, it’s not an emergency and you need to stop panicking

I've been told by 111 not to head to A&E to wait and if it gets worse call back for OOH and get an appointment. As it's not an emergency.
No pain or temperature and child is asleep - calpol on hand if needed and to call if worsens but defo see local GP when back home. It's not swollen and no discomfort, leakage is body expelling the infection and smell is likely from bacteria in the air drum.
Ok I feel a lot better now. Thanks so much everyone.

@chittychittybangbang80

Phew! Not get some sleep!

My DS had similar a few weeks ago. Started with ear ache and managed to get a call back from out of hours GP, who prescribed Amoxicillan. Two days later ear started leaking pus followed by blood, and an awful smell. DS was in so much pain so took straight to A and E and told has had a peforated ear drum.Was given different antibiotic to take orally and ear drops.DS is slowly recovering and has had some hearing loss in that ear. We have been told could take upto 3 months for the ear to heal fully. Please get your child seen ASAP. Sorry cant upload photo.

Silly question but what happens when eardrum bursts? I thought the eardrum was part of body that wouldn't have fluid or burst. I'm not explaining self properly

@Nymeria6 the ear drum is like a piece of skin over the ear canal. Fluid can blood up behind it when the person has an infection. When there is too much fluid the skins literally bursts and a hole is created. Called a perforated eardrum. It does heal back over but can be very painful.

My son had this a lot when younger. He has perforated eardrums (never had earache). The GP tried antibiotics, which did nothing, but the hospital ENT specialist prescribed eye drops (to be used in the ear) and it cleared up in days.

Thanks so much xx

How is he op?

Thanks so much for asking that's so lovely. He is so much better today and it's much clearer. Still a slight redness to the ear and a small amount of wax but no leakage or temperature.
Going to the GPS locally as soon as they open on Tuesday. His ear looks so much better xx

Looks just like wax to me and wax can smell too.