How Do I Treat a Swollen Ear Lobe?

External ear canal bloat is an acute localized purulent lesion of the external ear canal skin, also known as local external ear canal inflammation. Occurs in the cartilage of the external ear canal and is one of the common diseases of the ear. Most of them are digging the ears to damage the skin of the external auditory canal or the water in the external auditory canal during bathing and swimming, which softens the local epidermis and is easily infected by bacteria.

Basic Information

nickname

External auditory canal, localized external auditory canalitis, external auditory canalitis

English name

otitis externa furunculosa

Visiting department

Otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery

Common locations

ear

Common causes

External ear canal infection

Common symptoms

Suffering from severe aching pain in the ear, which worsens when opening and chewing

Contagious

no

Causes of external ear canal bloat

Most of them are digging the ears to damage the skin of the external auditory canal or the water in the external auditory canal during bathing and swimming, which softens the local epidermis and is easily infected by bacteria. In addition, the impregnation of purulent otitis media with pus, as well as certain systemic diseases such as diabetes can also induce edema of the external ear canal.

Clinical manifestations of external ear canal bloating

1. Auricular traction pain, tragus tenderness, or pain during chewing;

2. External auditory canal ulceration and pus;

3. Hearing loss due to swelling and obstruction of the ear canal;

4. Bloated on the front wall of the external ear canal, swelling in the ear can occur, and the parotid gland can be involved; swelling in the back wall can cause swelling behind the ear and mastoid.

Examination of external ear canal bloated

Examination of single or multiple small ridges in the ear canal of the affected ear showed localized swelling and swelling. The pain was significantly worse when pulling the ear Guo or pressing the tragus. Blood tests can show increased white blood cell counts.

Diagnosis of external ear canal bloat

Medical history

Pay attention to ear picks, trauma, and leaks.

2. Medical examination

(1) Pay attention to whether there is aching pain in the ear, tragus tenderness, or pain during chewing;

(2) Pay attention to whether it is single or multiple edema, whether there are pus, and whether the pus has been ulcerated;

(3) Pay attention to the parotid glands and mastoids, and those with bloated on the anterior wall of the external ear canal can cause swelling in the ear and can involve the parotid gland; posterior wall bloated can cause swelling behind the ear and mastoid. Must be distinguished from mumps and mastoiditis. The eardrum and hearing should be checked as much as possible.

Differential diagnosis of external ear canal bloating

Differentiated from ear pain in acute otitis media, acute otitis media has no ear pain.

External ear canal bloated treatment

1.1% to 2% phenol glycerol or 10% fishstone fat glycerol cotton tampon is placed in the external ear canal, or the traditional Chinese medicine swelling powder is added with 2% dacrotonin berberine ointment, and antibiotics and analgesics are given if necessary.

2. Local hot compress, physiotherapy or procaine blocking treatment.

3. Bloated already fluctuating, feasible incision and drainage.

4. Those who have recurrence should pay attention to the chronic wasting diseases, such as diabetes, nephritis, and malnutrition, and give corresponding treatment.

Prevention of external ear canal bloating

1. Do not dig your ears.

2. After the illness, such as in winter, you can plug loose cotton balls in the mouth of the external ear canal to maintain a certain humidity in the external ear canal.

3. Keep the external ear canal dry and clean. When rubbing off dirt, do not use rough or repeated rubbing.

4. In the early stage of the disease or bloated immature, you can apply heat to the outside of the ear. 3 to 4 times a day.

5. When sleeping, the sick ear should be on the lower side, but care should be taken not to oppress it.

6. Pay attention to the cause of systemic induction.