Perichondritis of the ear: symptoms, treatment, photo

Perichondritis of the auricle is a fairly common infectious disease that affects the skin and other tissues located above the cartilage of the external ear.

Causes of

Cartilage is a dense formation that shapes the nose and ears. It is always surrounded by a thin layer of tissue called "perichondria"( "perichondria").This membrane allows the cartilage to obtain the necessary nutrients.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, remains the most frequent causative agent of infectious infection of perichondria.

Perichondritis of the auricle is most often diagnosed after an injury resulting from:

• of a transplanted surgical operation on the hearing organs;
• ear piercing( especially in cases where a hole is made in the cartilage);
• participation in potentially dangerous contact sports.

Currently, the most obvious risk factor is ear piercing, involving cartilage. Infection can also enter the body through burns or damage during the acupuncture session. In addition, the pathological process may be the result of another violation - for example, the disease of the external canal( external otitis) or the growth of the furuncle. The risk of contracting the infection is especially high in elderly patients and those who suffer from pathologies of the immune system, including diabetes and HIV.

Perichondritis can cause severe changes in the ear structure if it passes into chondrite - the actual inflammation of the cartilage.

Symptoms of

Most often, the disease can be determined independently by the appearance of the ear, which becomes red and painful to the touch. Nevertheless, one should consult an otorhinolaryngologist, since a layman almost never suspects a perichondrite of the auricle. Treatment at home usually begins with the use of ointments and creams against skin infections, but without inclusion in the therapy of antibiotics inflammation quickly spreads and covers the perichondria.

Redness is usually localized around a lesion resulting from a trauma, such as cuts or scratches. Sometimes there is an increase in body temperature. In more severe cases, fluid is released from the wound.

Diagnostics

Ear perichondritis can be diagnosed on the basis of a patient's medical history and after an ear inspection by an expert. If in the history of head injuries and in particular of the ears, and the ear itself acquired a red tint and became 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 of

If an otorhinolaryngologist has been diagnosed with a "perichondritis of the auricle," treatment with antibiotics is prescribed immediately. Medications are taken orally, in the form of tablets, or are prepared by the intravenous route through a dropper. Most often, doctors recommend the use of "Fluoroquinolone."If pus accumulates in any area, surgery will most likely be required to ensure the outflow of excess fluid and the removal of dead skin and cartilage cells.

Forecast

The rate of recovery depends entirely on whether diagnostic measures have been taken in a timely manner and the treatment is started. 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 sole problem of the patient will be perichondritis of the auricle briefly. 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 to diagnose and follow the doctor's recommendations) and requires more intensive and prolonged therapy.

Possible complications of

With a developing chondritis, a part of the auricle dies out. This fragment must be removed surgically. In this case, there is often a need for an additional plastic surgery to restore the appearance and normal shape of the ear.

When to call a doctor

If you have suffered from any kind of injury, which resulted in a damaged ear shell( scratch, punch, piercing), and afterwards this ear became red and painful, as soon as possible, sign up for a consultation with a qualified otorhinolaryngologist. Probably, it is necessary to spend on drink a course of antibiotics.

Prevention

1. The best way to prevent perichondritis of the auricle is not to pierce the ear through cartilage in piercing salons. The only conditionally safe area for piercing is the lobe. Nevertheless, the popularity of wearing earrings in the 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 the characteristic symptoms of perichondritis and chondritis. Pay attention to the tools for piercing: they should not only be clean, but also disinfected. After piercing the hole, the damaged area should be constantly rinsed with warm water and thus keep it in perfect cleanliness. Both before and after the piercing it is desirable to show the ear to the otorhinolaryngologist. Perhaps to more effectively prevent a potentially dangerous disease, such as a perichondrite of the auricle, you will need to apply compresses soaked in liquid antibiotics to the injured area within a few days after the procedure is completed.

2. If you have pierced through the cartilage, avoid wearing several ornaments in one hole.

3. Ask for medical advice at the first suspicion of perichondritis 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 this article.

4. If you are enrolled in an acupuncture session, be sure to use only clean, disposable needles.

5. Avoid injury to your ears. If you are engaged in contact sports, do not neglect special protective equipment. Potentially dangerous and all favorite football and hockey. Wear a helmet, playing cricket and similar games. Wearing a helmet is also necessary when riding a motorcycle - so you protect your ears from possible scratches and wounds.