Auricle pain
introduction
Pain in the auricle occurs especially when there is inflammation.
There is a wide variety of inflammations that can cause ear pain. The most important of them will be discussed below:
Outside or inside
In the Outer ear infection, medical: "External otitis“There is inflammation of the ear in the - outside and partly also inside area of the auricle. At a Otitis externa diffusa it is a - as the name suggests - diffusely distributed inflammation in the area of the entire auricle. The cause can be bacteria, viruses, and fungi that settle on the skin of the auricle. But also chronic otitis media can, so to speak, "wander outwards" and affect the area of the ear that is visible on the outside.
But also contaminated bath water In swimming pools it is very popular to cause otitis externa. Typical are scaling with simultaneous swelling and the resulting relocation of the Eardrums.
Instead of flaking, however, it can also lead to oozing, in any case Impaired hearing performance be.
In the case of otitis externa, the external and internal areas of the auricle are therapeutic antibiotic and cortisone-containing ointments applied.
On the other hand, is the auricle and its external environment reddish discolored and swollen, it may be a Erysipelas.
The Erysipelas is by definition a skin infection caused by Streptococci is caused. These can penetrate the tissue through small skin lesions in the external auditory canal and multiply there.
To fever and chills Then there is soon a sharply defined, dark red reddening around the auricle. The reddened area is hot, tense, and can extend to the entire auricle and its surroundings.
As with external otitis, the gold standard of treatment here is one antibiotic therapywhich - depending on the severity - may also have to be done systemically. This means that a local application of antibiotic ointments to the outside of the ear may not be enough and the Antibiotics administered as a tablet or infusion.
A third example, which particularly affects older patients, is reactivation of one Herpes zoster, in the ear area also "Herpes zoster oticus" called.
Like normal herpes zoster, the zoster oticus forms small vesicles in a strictly limited area on the outside and inside of the auricle and causes painful reddening.
The pain often occurs before the blisters can be seen. The herpes zoster is the one responsible for the hearing organ Cranial nerves 7 and 8, which is why dizziness and hearing loss are often accompanying.
Since the 7th cranial nerve also carries motor fibers of the facial muscles, what is known as facial paralysis, i.e. paralysis of the facial muscles, can occur.
Since the zoster oticus is not a bacteria but a virus, In this case antibiotics will not help.
The therapy is carried out with a virostat, mostly Acyclovir.
This prevents the viruses from multiplying, but does not lead to their death.
The body has to take on this task itself.
In many cases the paralysis of the cranial nerves no longer completely regresses and the loss of function persists. The earlier the zoster is recognized and therapy is given, the better the prognosis.
Figure ear
A - outer ear - Auris externa
B - middle ear - Auris media
C - inner ear - Auris interna
- Ear strip - Helix
- Counter bar - Antihelix
- Auricle - Auricula
- Ear corner - Tragus
- Earlobe - Lobulus auriculae
- External ear canal -
Meatus acousticus externus - Temporal bone - Temporal bone
- Eardrum -
Tympanic membrane - Stirrups - Stapes
- Eustachian tube (tube) -
Tuba auditiva - Slug - Cochlea
- Auditory nerve - Cochlear nerve
- Equilibrium nerve - Vestibular nerve
- Inner ear canal - Meatus acousticus internus
- Extension (ampoule) of the posterior semicircular canal - Ampulla membranacea posterior
- Archway - Semicircural duct
- Anvil - Incus
- Hammer - Malleus
- Tympanic cavity - Cavitas tympani
You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations
Pain in the jaw and ear
Pain in the jaw and ear are often associated, as the temporomandibular joint is in close proximity to the ear canal (the anterior wall of the ear canal forms part of the temporomandibular joint socket).
A fracture of the ear canal can also lead to pain in the jaw. An ear canal fracture is particularly common after a blow to the ear.
This automatically affects the outer part of the ear - i.e. the auricle and the external auditory canal. There is pain when chewing, impaired hearing, and possibly a locked jaw.
The therapy depends on the severity of the break.
While conservative therapy is sufficient for small fractures, surgical treatment is required for severe fractures.
The jaw is also involved in creating a pressure balance between the middle ear and throat. The throat and middle ear are connected to one another by a muscular tube. This hose (lat .: "Tuba tympani“) Is closed in its basic state and is only opened by yawning, for example.
The opening can also be brought about voluntarily by imitating the “yawning movement”. This can be necessary when driving through a tunnel or sitting on an airplane.
However, if the pressure is very strong, it can cause pain in the jaw and ear. The pain can radiate to the outer areas of the ear, such as the auricle and the outer ear canal. This pressure equalization can cause great pain, especially if the jaw has already been damaged. Therefore, flights are not recommended in this situation.
Please also read our article on this Pain in jaw and ear.
Auricular pain in the child
With a child, completely different causes must be considered than with an adult. Children like to put objects in their mouths or that ear.
Of course, they are not aware of the danger and often cannot express their pain.
More typical is screaming, and noticeably frequent touching of the auricle.
Sometimes the cause of pain in the ear and auricle in children is also very simple: While we adults at least occasionally Ear wax (lat .: Cerumen) - remove from the ears, children will not do this by themselves.
Over time, hearing loss and pain can develop.
Children also have a much thinner one Tuba auditiva, which is why it is relocated much faster if there is swelling. This also results in more severe pain than in adults. Especially at Colds, or one Measles infection this can be the case.
In winter, sensitive temperatures can quickly lead to "frozen ears". While adults are putting on hats, a child can often fail to appreciate the pain and ignore it or blame it on something else. Therefore: always in the cold winter months Pay attention to warm clothing and a hat!
Pain at night or after getting up
The pain occurs on the auricle at night, or after getting up on, that may be the cause has embarrassed.
Especially when alcohol was involved in the evening, the body's sensitivity to pain is reduced. As a result, we don't even notice when we spend the night Bend ear, or otherwise burden.
The auricle does not hurt until the next morning, and possibly also the head. The good thing is that this pain goes away.
But even without drinking alcohol, our ears sometimes ache at night when we sleep on them for a long time. Softer pillows or sometimes fewer pillows can help.
In the case of an inflammation of the cartilage of the auricle ("Perichondritis“) The auricle is exposed to additional stress from the weight of the head at night. Only bandages on the ear that are as soft and cushioning as possible can help until the healing process is complete.
