Icky Stuff: Eye Mucus and Discharge Explained

Eye discharge is fairly common. When you wake up in the morning, you’ll typically have a combination of mucus, oil, and skin cells or other debris that has accumulated in the corner of your eye. Sometimes, this discharge may be dry, or wet, depending on how much liquid has evaporated over the course of the night and morning. Eye discharge is necessary for good eye health!

Where does eye mucus come from?

Every minute you’re awake, you blink 10-20 times. However at night, while you are sleeping, your eyelids are closed and unable to blink away mucus on the surface of your eye. This mucus and gunk instead sits in the corner of your eye where your eyelashes meet your eyelid. This leftover discharge is properly known as rheum.

Should I be concerned about eye goo?

Typically some eye mucus or debris found on the corner of your eye in the morning is normal. However, if you’re finding excessive amounts, or thick green, yellow, or gray discharge, it may be a sign of something more serious. Thick colored mucus could be a sign of an eye infection or bacterial conjunctivitis. Yellow discharge could be a sign of a stye, and white stringy mucus is a sign of allergic conjunctivitis.

Can an ear infection cause eye discharge?

The short answer is yes. If you have a middle ear infection, you may experience eye discharge related to the ear infection. This is most common in children, but can happen to adults. A crusty eye discharge may be a sign of an ear infection, so be sure to have your ENT doctor check out any unusual eye discharge you may notice in yourself or in your children.


If you think you have an eye or ear infection, the specialists at Florida ENT can quickly and accurately cure your symptoms. We encourage you to give our Sinus & Facial Plastics Institute a call to schedule an appointment. We offer allergy screening, allergy management and immunotherapy. To schedule an appoint, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE!

Most Common Summer Allergies

Did you know, over 50 million Americans suffer from allergies every year? Allergies rank as the 6th leading chronic disease in the U.S. Interestingly enough, indoor allergens tend to be 5 times stronger than outdoor allergens. Read our latest blog to learn more about the most common summer allergens and learn some tips on how to help alleviate them:

Pollen

Pollen is by far the most common allergen. Even if some plants are not in full bloom during the summer months, the effects of the trees and grass are still present. July and August are more known to be ragweed season. While ragweed season used to last only about 1 week or so per year, scientists believe that due to global warming, ragweed season now extends to 3.5 weeks or longer. We recommend wearing sunglasses and an oversized hat to prevent as much pollen as possible from reaching your face and affecting your seasonal allergies.

Stings

During the summer months, many people spend more time outdoors than they do the rest of the year. Not only are people spending more time on their patio, but insects and bugs are spending more time near cookouts and gardens during the summer months too. Unfortunately, this increases our risks of getting bit or stung by these pests during summer. To help protect you and your family from any itchy, inflamed bug bites, be sure to use bug spray and avoid wearing anything sweet or brightly colored.

Mold

Florida’s humid air and warm temperatures are the perfect breeding ground for mold. One of the most common types of mold is Alternaria, which tends to peak in our area this time of year. If you have an allergy towards mold, we recommend wearing a mask in the yard to help prevent from breathing in mold spores while gardening and picking up your yard. It is also recommended that you replace your air filters as needed, and you may also want to consider using a dehumidifier in your home.


If you have any questions about our office or are interested in making an appointment, please give us a call at 877-EAR-NOSE or visit www.floridaent.com for more information. To keep up with the latest from our office, be sure to visit our Facebook page.

Swimmer’s Ear FAQs

Everyone knows that feeling of getting water stuck in your ear. Sometimes a quick jump with your head turnt can do the trick, but what happens if you can’t get the water out? Here are the top asked questions regarding swimmer’s ear:

What causes swimmer's ear?

Swimmer's ear is an inflammation, irritation or infection within the external auditory canal. Swimmer’s ear is also medically known as otitis externa. Excessive moisture is the main cause of swimmer’s ear, and it can be caused not only by swimming but from any excess water to the ear.

How long does it take for swimmer’s ear to go away?

If you’re suffering from swimmer’s ear, we recommend seeing your ENT doctor. They can diagnose your condition and prescribe the necessary medication. If you are diagnosed with swimmer’s ear, the most common prescription will be ear drops. Typically, pain and discomfort should diminish after 48-72 hours of using your ear drops. Most ear drop prescriptions for swimmer’s ear will last for 7 days, but of course, every person’s irritation, inflammation, or infection is unique and your doctor will prescribe the best solution for you.

Why do I need to remove water from my ear quickly?

Having water in your ear not only causes discomfort, muffled and ringing sounds but can also cause irritation and infections sooner than later. Excess moisture in your ear causes a breeding ground for bacteria. Even pool and shower water contain materials that can irritate your ear canal and cause issues quickly. If you’re having trouble removing water from your ear, there are many over the counter remedies you can find at your local drug store to help evaporate the sitting water.

Can you go swimming if you have an ear infection?

A middle ear infection and swimmer’s ear are not related. A common middle ear infection is walled off from the water behind your eardrum and will not be affected. However, if you do have a ruptured eardrum, then swimming should be avoided.


If you're suffering from swimmer’s ear or similar symptoms, we encourage you to make an appointment at Florida Ear Nose Throat. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE.

3 Summer Recipes to Cool Down Your Allergies

Are you suffering through summer allergies? Consider trying one of these 3 recipes to help alleviate some of your symptoms. We still recommend seeing a doctor for help if your allergies are serious. Natural remedies can help your symptoms short-term, but medical treatment can help in the long-term.

Honey Mustard Broccoli Salad

Follow this recipe for a jam-packed salad full of sulforaphane and vitamin C. Sulforaphane has been widely studied for its antioxidant properties, and it’s been found to help fight airway inflammation. The honey added to the dressing is also a good cough suppressant. 

Honey-Soy-Glazed Salmon with Peppers

This honey-soy-glaze salmon has both omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin. Omega-3 fatty acids are in the salmon, and eating 2 servings per week has shown to decrease the symptoms of hay fever. The peppers contain quercetin, which is a natural plant chemical which can reduce histamine reactions.

Kiwi Pineapple Parfait

Lastly, cool down after a hot afternoon with this parfait. Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps reduce irritation caused by allergens. Kiwi is full of vitamin C, and lastly, yogurt with live active cultures which can decrease your body’s immune response.

If you are having summer allergies, please contact us at Florida Ear Nose Throat. We’re here to help! We offer allergy screenings, allergy management, and immunotherapy. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE.