Hi,
I've had the same problem. I thought I had an ear infection so I went to my primary care dr. and he gave me oral antibiotics. A week later I started to get a rash in my ears so he gave me an ointment to apply to my outer/inner ear. Soon after, I had to go back because the ear problem came back. They gave me stronger antibiotics, they didn't work either. I started to get the clear fluid drainage at night and it bacame rust around the rim? I guess. I picked at it and itched my ears all night! UGH! Went back to the dr. months later( I know I should have went earlier) they took a culture of the fluid. Came back antibiotic resistant, some kind of staph infection. 2 different bacterial infections. Now I have to take different antibiotics and see an infectious disease dr!!! I remember that the first dr visit was with a Oh you need a flu vaccine, and I said no. The next day I was sick. Twice I got sick after using the hospital's public bathroom. I thought it was the flu, but now I'm thinking I got the staph infection from the bathroom maybe.Maybe my story will help you look up other causes for your er problems.
My actual diagnosis is Stenotrophomac Maltophilia and StaphylococcusAureus,Methicillin resistant.
Signed, Sick of my ears.Had Problems since I was in first grade!