Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

drainage of watery yellow fluid from nose

Friday while I was bent over blow-drying my hair, bright yellow fluid suddenly started dripping out of my nose.  It felt like a nose bleed and that's what I thought it was until I observed the color.  I had never seen any fluid that color come out of my body before.  The drainage was unilateral--left side only.  I made an appointment with my doctor but cannot see her until Tuesday.  Investigating a bit onlne I saw something that seemed similar--CSF leakages.  But I have had no brain injuries, only a recent cold.  My question is--is this probably what I think it is?  Do I need to be very concerned?  Should I insist on seeing the doctor sooner or go to emergency?  What should I do in the meantime?  It hasn't happened again since then.  I'm really feeling a bit scared.
Thanks so much
Heidi
189 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hi,
How are you feeling now?
Cerebrospinal fluid leak may occur from the nose, from the external auditory canal, or from a traumatic or operative defect in the skull or spine. The fluid leak is a result of meningeal dural and arachnoid laceration with fistula formation. Blunt trauma is the most common cause.
I think you need an evaluation by a neurologist and investigation of the fluid which is coming out of your nose.
You should visit an emergency department.
You should be accompanied by an attender with you.
Hope this helps.
Bye.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
yea i got this on tuesday.. and on wednesday it was worse.. then today (thursday) even worse.. and it all had to happen in my final semester week where i had 2 practical classes, where one was a 4 hour exam (my lapcoat sleeves are now yellow lol) and ive a bloody exam tomorrow on pathophysiology, so now im up studying at 1am :(

anyways i think imma go see a doc soon myself if it persists, my nostril entrance is now red, which i think is due to an acidic pH of the yellow fluid, could be wrong!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am so glad I found this!  I'm a student as well and don't have the insurance for doctors and other luxuries.  I've had problems in the past with my brain aka: headaches, memory loss, etc. of which I did have checked out only to have a doctor tell me that I had a "fatty deposit" on my pituitary glad and send me on my way.  I've learned to cope with the memory loss and done many things to improve my condition but as I bent over to dry my hair this morning yellow-watery fluid poured out of my nose and I felt a bit of concern.  I appreciate your insight!  I did bang my head this morning but didn't think much of it.  I will be more careful and if problem persists perhaps humble myself enough to see a doctor.  Thanks again for your input!  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO ME THIS MORNING! AFTER I FINISHED BLOW DRYING MY HAIR BENT OVER! ON THE LEFT SIDE! I LEFT MY DOC A MSG ABOUT IT, AND HE USUALLY CALLS BACK AFTER 5 OR 6PM.  DID YOU FIND ANYTHING ELSE OUT?  I READ THAT IT COULD BE A SINUS INFECTION.  I ALSO JUST GOT OVER A BAD COLD AND THROAT INFECTION.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
we seem to have simular throte infections/ colds/ chest infections before this is happening, i was just reading another post made where someone went to the drs and was given amoxicillin and it was explained to them that the fluid was just the infection draining from the body, the fluid became clearer as the week went on. i have no qualifications in this field but i wouldnt worry too much if you have had these symptoms however if the fluid is appearing for no explained reason or over an extended length of time i would personally consult a doctor or even try calling the nhs direct if within the uk. i am just recovering from a cold and chect infection and have had this bright/ illuminus fluid for about 3/4 days if it continues or becomes worse i will be consulting a doctor, but after reading up on the net most fluids from head injury ect seem to be clear in colour.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,the same thing happen to me 5 or 6 yrs back when it happen for the first time,the fuid was coming out every time i bend over first time i was looking underneath my dining table,i was very worried,the situation lasted a few days during those days every time i bended over it happen,i was i mexico at that time,when to see a doctor and she told me it was nothing to worry about,so i din't and keep ejoying my vacation,but now,again a month a go,and now today,today comes out even standing straigth,i have no ins. that is why i'm looking on line trying to find an answer,i've had a cold for 5 days now so probably has to do with that.also i find very weird that every person here has it on the left side,oh well i hope you all get better,please post if anything changes.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had this same yellow problem just now, yellow fluid leaking from my RIGHT nostril.  I'd had it one time before but forget which nostril it was that time.  I'd had a migraine the other night in which the pain was mostly concentrated on the right side of my face.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, yellow discharge is mainly related with bacterial infection either due to foreign body or otherwise. Do you get foul smell too? Try a course of antibiotics, if the symptoms persist even after that, do consult doctor. CSF leakage is colourless and is definitely a emergency, should be treated with antibiotics.



Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've been having this problem for a few years now... I never had it occur until after i had surgery on my nose: removing two cysts and a septioplasty.  About 5 months afterwards i had it happen the first time, and for the last 2 years it's been re-occurring frequently. Typically it happens to me when i blow my nose, and yellow, sometimes foamy, fluid comes out and saturates many tissues, though it also happens sometimes when i just bend over.  
I was thinking this was a sinus infection, and went and got some anti-biotics; i was taking amoxiciillin 750mg twice daily.  (i was told it was the heavy version) After the prescription ended, they still persist! I've had it happen 3 times already, and it's only been 5 days since the end of my 10 day treatment.
After doing some reading, i'm wondering if this is a nasal candida infection...   I'm going to try and balance my body's candida levels by taking a yeast supplement (EpiCor) and cleaning out my nose with a netipot.  
Anyone else have any luck getting rid of it?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Did anyone hear back from their doctor as to a possible cause?  I was traveling this past weekend and had my head down and all of a sudden a rush of yellow watery fluid starts draining from my nose.  It look and felt like water and it was a lot.  I caught some in my hand and wiped them on a towel but they felt sticky afterwards.  This was not snot.  I was too freaked out to think of smelling it.  I do occassionally get sinus pressure when the temperature changes, but did not feel any pain coming on before this happened.  I didnt go swimming or in any way get water in my nose.  But while it was draining, it felt like I had accidently gotten water into my nose while swimming.  At least what I remember of it from being in a pool as a kid.  It happened a couple of times, on June 14th, 2008, and hasnt happened again in the last three days.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had this happen last night when I bent over. I have just gotten over an ear infection and was taking amoxicillin. The yellow fluid came out of my left nostril last night and now I just have kind of a sore feeling in that nostril. It seems like no one who has posted has gotten a clear answer from a doctor. Does anyone have any information from a medical visit/test regarding the leaking?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
OK...i just had the same thing happen....i was bending down...and yellow water...like gatorade...came pouring out my nose...a tablespoon full. Now the inside of my nose seems sticky (like dried mucus) and i'm slightly dizzy. I've seen a neurologist about this before and CSF fluid was outruled because of the color and via an MRI that showed no fracture.  PLEASE SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT THIS IS!!!!
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
by DrKalraMD


  Add as Friend

DrKalraMD  
Member since May 2008  

by DrKalraMD

, Jun 03, 2008 12:08AM
Hi, yellow discharge is mainly related with bacterial infection either due to foreign body or otherwise. Do you get foul smell too? Try a course of antibiotics, if the symptoms persist even after that, do consult doctor. CSF leakage is colourless and is definitely a emergency, should be treated with antibiotics.


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My 15 yr old daughter came home and bent forward and suddenly she too had bright yellow watery fluid dripping out of her nose.  A fairly large quantity.   I wondered if she may be starting a sinus infection?  She feels fine however.  Any idea?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hello dr i have yellow fluid coming out of my left nostril and the back of my head feels like it is getting squeezed it as happend a few times should i go to the a and e. thank u mike benson
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am glad to have found this.

Yesterday while at work, bent over writting on a desk, felt like a nose bleed, wiped my nose, and was a Bright yellow, water like fluid, not sticky, no smell. LEFT nostril only, and seemed to last only about an hour. When I would spit, same substance, not like a sputum, but yellow and transparent.
Went away until last night, again started as a slow drip, stopped about 10 minutes later.
I had a bad cold a month and a half ago, lasted for about 3 weeks and still have a wet cough. I was NOT on any antibiotics. Over the counter cold meds, and not very many.
I have a vacation planned in three weeks, and not sure about seeing my GP. She is over booked and doesn't usually show the attention to things like this. Emergency dept??
Iwork in the pre-hospital care field and know how full our system is with 'little things'
Am I in need of seeing the emerg doctor?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I am a medical student, and the same thing happened to me last night. I am just getting over a throat and ear infection. I tilted my head to the side while reading last night and flourescent yellow fluid started flowing out of my nose and down my throat. It didn't smell, but tasted salty. On white tissue it looked like a leaky highlighter pen.

This morning I popped over to see a doctor in the ENT department. I had a quick check over and he said I had signs of fluid inside my left ear (like glue ear).

I think it is due to an infection. I haven't been given antibiotics, and was just told if it gets painful or if I get a temperature to take paracetamol, however if it becomes very painful or there is a lot more fluid to come to A&E.

Some reassurance though, the fact that an ENT doctor wasn't too worried about it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello everyone,

I'm one of many others on this forum who have had this happen.  The last time until just a few moments ago was a few years ago and I freaked out, googled all over, thinking it might have been CSF fluid or something else.  Each time I've had it, I've felt just fine, no cold or anything and it looks and feels exactly the same as the other comments on this forum.  

The ENT a few years ago ordered a CT scan and discovered that I have a pocket (not sure what he called it exactly) in my sinus that can hold the fluid which was suggestive of acute and chronic sinusitis. I've never felt the symptoms though, this stuff just leaks out of nowhere.  

Reading this forum and seeing how many of us there are that have had this challenge gives me a lot of peace of mind.  When I first had this challenge, I felt dizzy, etc. and looking back, I'm sure it was just nerves and anxiety because I was freaked out, not knowing what it was.  

If anyone on here gets a specific diagnosis, please come back and share your story as it will help others who are going through this challenge as well.  

Good luck to all!
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
The pocket was most likely called a cyst. I’ve had the same issuez
Avatar universal
Hello,

I just had this exact same thing happen to me.  It's very interesting how common this seems to be however I am 32 and have never seen a fluid come from my nose quite like this.  It's also interesting to observe the similarities.  Mine too was only after I bent over and only out of my left nostril.  I am just getting over a normal cold.  I was also freaked out by the color and became anxious after reading it could be cerebral fluid.  I also took Zicam a week ago and it burned my sinuses(don't snuff it in).  I went to an urgent care facility and the nurse practitioner diagnosed it as the onset of a sinus infection which could have been brought on by the Zicam irritating my sinuses causing them to create more fluid.  She perscribed me Amoxicillin.  I'll start it tomorrow.  My glands along my neck are swollen but feel normal otherwise.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Me too.  Just a moment ago.  Thought it was CSF but now I'm not so sure.  Always thought CSF was clear.  Bent over, left side only, thought it was a nose bleed and then bright yellow, alarming discharge.  It seems that most of us, if not all, are just getting over a prolonged cold or infection.  That must be the common element.  Never ever had anything like this coming from me but we all appear to be relatively healthy, in general, and the colour is the thing that alarms us.  Had a large dose of Amoxicillin yesterday before a dental appointment.  Perhaps that.

Michael



Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well, I'll join the club I guess, LEFT nostril, bent over and tilted head to the right and out came the same yellowish clear fluid. Thought it was a spontaneous nose bleed at first. It stopped when I resumed upright.  I tried to see if I could make it happen again by repeating the motion and it worked! I'm trying right now to make it happen again but it isn't coming out anymore. I definitely feel it coming from sinus cavity. I've been prone to sinus infections for 20 years.  Probably related but never had it happen before except at swimming pool but that wasn't yellowish. I'll worry about it if it keeps happening for a long time. Some sinus funk I imagine.
Helpful - 0
484160 tn?1343397921
Where the heck were you people last year when this happened to me, lol?  At a restaurant at lunch, leaned over to set my drink on the table and whoosh!  Clear yellow liquid shot out of my nose.  My brother was having lunch with me and freaked out. never found out what is was, my primary care doc thought CSF leak and suggested a CAT scan,  but I couldn't afford it at the time and it never happened again. My old idiot rheumy told me it was impossible for CSF to come out your nose.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just recently had an experience. However, mine was from my RIGHT nostril, and also a smaller amount in my left one.  I noticed it in the morning because it was all over my pillowcase for the last 2 nights.  I tried the bending over test, and all I got was a couple specks of blood when I wiped the indide of my nose.
Very strange!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i HAVE ALSO HAD THIS CLEAR YELLOW DRAINAGE FROM MY LEFT NOSTRIL.  I HAVE JUST COMPLETED A ROUND OF ANTIBIO AND STILL HAVE CLEAR YELLOW DRIPPING.  ONE PERSON SAID THEY THOUGHT IT WAS ACUTE SINUSITIS.  I WENT TO MY DOC AND WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED WITH ACUTE SINUSITIS.  I THINK THAT IS OUR GENERALIZED ANSWER.  IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD HEAD TRAUMS... IT IS JUST FROM A SINUS INFECTION.  IF HEAD TRAUMA, WAS INVOLVED AND YOU HAVE NOT HAD A COLD/SINUS ISSUES... GET TO THE DOC!

Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease