Earwax is a light to dark brown or orange discharge. Earwax that drains usually is not painful and does not have an unpleasant odor.

It is normal for earwax to drain from the ear. Fevers often cause earwax to melt and drain. Sometimes earwax may look like fluid draining from the ear. After bathing or swimming, fluid may also drain from the ear. This is normal.

Slight bleeding from the ear can occur if your baby scratches his or her ear or if the ear is irritated by cleaning. This is not a problem as long as the bleeding stops and does not recur. Bleeding that has no obvious cause, such as a visible scratch, is much more concerning.

Drainage from the ear may indicate a problem that requires a visit to a health professional, such as a rupture of the eardrum (tympanic membrane rupture).