Auricle perichondritis is a fairly common infectious disease that affects the skin and other tissues located above the cartilage of the outer ear.
Reasons
Cartilage is a dense formation that gives shape to the nose and ears. It is always surrounded by a thin layer of tissue called "perichondrus" ("perichondria"). This shell allows the cartilage to receive the necessary nutrients.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, remains the most common causative agent of perichondrium infections.
Perichondritis of the auricle is most often diagnosed after an injury resulting from:
- hearing surgery;
- ear piercing (especially in cases where the hole is made in the cartilage);
- participation in potentially dangerous contact sports.
Currently, ear piercings that involve cartilage are considered the most obvious risk factor. Infection can also enter the body through a burn or injury during an acupuncture session. In addition, the pathological process may be the result of anotherdisorders - for example, diseases of the external canal (otitis externa) or the growth of a boil. The risk of infection is especially high in older patients and those who suffer from pathologies of the immune system, including diabetes and HIV.
Perichondritis can cause serious changes in the structure of the ear if it turns into chondritis - the actual inflammation of the cartilage.
Symptoms
Most often, the disease can be identified independently by the appearance of the ear, which becomes red and painful to the touch. Nevertheless, you should contact an otorhinolaryngologist, since a non-specialist almost never suspects that he has perichondritis of the auricle. Home treatment usually begins with the application of ointments and creams against skin infections, however, without the inclusion of antibiotics in therapy, inflammation quickly spreads and involves the perichondria.
Redness is usually localized around an injury resulting from an injury - a cut or scratch. Sometimes there is an increase in body temperature. In more severe cases, fluid leaks from the wound.
Diagnosis
Auricle perichondritis can be diagnosed based on the patient's medical history and after an ear examination by a specialist. If a head injury and, in particular, an ear injury is recorded in history, and the ear itself has acquired a red tint and has become very sensitive, the doctor diagnoses inflammation of the tissues. There may be changes in the shape of the ear caused by the pathological process and swelling.
Treatment
If the otorhinolaryngologist diagnosed "perichondritis of the auricle", antibiotic treatment is prescribed immediately. Medicines are taken orally, in the form of tablets, or received by intravenous administration through a dropper. Most often, doctors recommend the use of "Fluoroquinolone". If pus has accumulated in any area, surgery will most likely be needed to ensure the outflow of excess fluid and remove dead skin and cartilage cells.
Forecast
The rate of recovery of the patient depends entirely on whether diagnostic measures are taken in a timely manner and treatment is started. In order to completely get rid of the symptoms of an infectious disease in the shortest possible time, you need to start taking antibiotics as soon as possible - only then the only problem of the patient for a short time will be perichondritis of the auricle. Inflammation of the cartilage of the ear, or chondritis, is a serious complication that occurs as a result of late treatment (or neglect of the need for diagnosis and following the doctor's recommendations) and requires more intensive and prolonged therapy.
Possible Complications
When chondritis develops, part of the auricle dies. This fragment must be removed surgically. In this case, most often there is a need for additional plastic surgery in order to restore the appearance and normal shape of the ear.
When to see a doctor
If youIf you have suffered an injury of any kind that has damaged the ear (scratch, bump, piercing), and subsequently that ear has become red and painful, make an appointment with a qualified otolaryngologist as soon as possible. You may need to take a course of antibiotics.
Prevention
1. The best way to prevent perichondritis of the pinna is not to pierce the ear through the cartilage in piercing parlors. The only conditionally safe area for piercing is the lobe. However, the popularity of wearing earrings in holes made in the cartilage of the ear has already led to a steady increase in the number of cases of seeking medical help as a result of the development of characteristic symptoms of perichondritis and chondritis. Pay attention to piercing tools: they must be not only clean, but also disinfected. After punching a hole, the damaged area must be constantly rinsed with warm water and thereby keep it perfectly clean. Both before and after piercing, it is advisable to show the ear to an otorhinolaryngologist. Perhaps, for more effective prevention of such a potentially dangerous disease as perichondritis of the auricle, it will be necessary to apply compresses soaked in liquid antibiotics to the injured area for several days after the procedure is completed.
2. If you have a cartilage piercing, avoid wearing multiple pieces of jewelry in the same hole.
3. Seek medical advice at the first suspicion ofperichondritis of the auricle. Photos of typical clinical manifestations of the inflammatory process can be easily found on medical sites, and one of them is presented at the beginning of our article.
4. If you sign up for an acupuncture session, make sure that the master uses only clean disposable needles.
5. Avoid ear injury. If you are involved in contact sports, do not neglect special protective equipment. Potentially dangerous and everyone's favorite football and hockey. Wear a helmet when playing cricket and similar games. Wearing a helmet is also essential when riding a motorcycle to protect your ears from possible scratches and injuries.
