Ear entrance pain
definition
Pain in the area of access to the ear is considered in medical terminology Otalgia and in most cases indicate a disease of the ear. A distinction is made between primary and secondary earache.
The primary earache is those that come directly from the ear, while the secondary pain can also radiate from other nerves to the region of the ear.
Symptoms
Because the ear is a very fine and sensitive organ with numerous nerves If the pain is passed on, symptoms in this area are often very uncomfortable.
Does the pain arise in the Ear canal entrance due to inflammation, other symptoms such as Swelling, redness, and overheating of the ear.
Depending on the cause of the inflammation various skin symptoms can also occur. In addition to reddening, the skin at the entrance of the ear can be very dry, flaky and also discolored with spots.
With a progressive necrotizing inflammation the tissue increasingly dies and the skin turns black accordingly.
Further complaints can be Itching, discharge, pus and also a feeling of pressure on the ear be.
If the ear canal is severely obstructed or the external inflammation spreads to deeper regions of the ear, it can also lead to a decreased hearing come.
causes
Pain in the entrance of the ear can be triggered by many different causes.
One possibility are obvious injuries like bruises, cuts and also abrasions. They can be caused by accidents.
However, one of the most common causes is that Inflammation of the external ear canalthat can spread to the entrance of the ear. In ear, nose and throat medicine, inflammation of the external auditory canal is called External otitis designated. It can be related to a severe cold go hand in hand or be triggered by other factors.
It is also subdivided into different forms depending on its cause.
So there are Phlegmon in the ear canal (Otitis externa diffuse) or one boil (Otitis externa Circumscripta).
There is also another very severe form of inflammationwhere the Skin in the ear canal increasingly begins to wither (necrotize).
Inflammation in the ear canal adjacent to the auricle can be triggered by injuries to the fine skin. It is not uncommon for injuries to occur Foreign bodies also include cotton swabs caused. Even small cracks and lesions in the skin run the risk of being contaminated by bacteria.
Besides a bacterial infection you can also Allergies or others Skin disorders how Neurodermatitis or Autoimmune diseases lead to ear diseases that are accompanied by pain at the entrance to the ear canal.
Also a Herpes zoster can develop on the ear and cause severe inflammation with pain.
Other possible causes are also Tumorsthat continue to spread from the inner ear.
The aforementioned triggers for ear pain are primary causescoming straight from the ear.
Secondary causes can come across from other areas of the head corresponding nerve fibers to the ear be carried on and lead to pain.
One of the most common causes is one dental treatment. Tooth infections or pulling a tooth can irritate nerves in the immediate vicinity so strongly that pain is passed on to the ear.
It is similar with other infectious diseases like one Tonsillitis (Tonsillitis) or also mumps and measles. The latter swell Parotid glands and can be painful and also affect the ear.
diagnosis
If there are problems with the ear, the patient should have one Ear, nose and throat specialist seek out. After taking an anamnesis in which the patient describes his symptoms, the doctor will first look at the ear.
First he looks at the auricle and finally the Ear canal. With a corresponding small lamp and a kind of magnifying glass, he can do that eardrum watch.
At Inflammation in the ear canal This examination can be a bit painful and it is particularly difficult for children to be examined because they are often afraid of a doctor.
Since inflammation definitely caused by various bacteria the doctor has the opportunity to specifically identify these germs. To do this, he takes a swab with a cotton swab from the inflamed area of the skin or pus or discharge.
In many cases, a pathogen detection determines the subsequent treatment. If the ear is so inflamed, one of them Hearing loss has occurred, in some cases it even becomes a Hearing test made. This can also be used to define which parts of the ear are causing the complaints.
So can a distinction between internal or external ear canal inflammation to be hit.
therapy
Depending on the cause, appropriate therapy is initiated by a specialist. In many mild cases they go away Earache by itself after a few days. This can be the case with a cold.
However, if the bacterial infection is more severe, it may well be necessary for the patient to stay for several days antibiotic must take so that the inflammation does not progress and can heal better.
In some cases and depending on the doctor, the administration of the antibiotic depends on the pathogen identified. Antibiotics Most are taken orally, but there are also some ear drops that contain antibiotics.
Against strong pain can also use pain reliever medicines such as Ibuprofen be taken. It can also be used for inflamed, dry and itchy skin Ointments or ear dropsthat contain antibiotics. Only in rare cases, like one necrotizing inflammation An operation to remove the inflamed areas of the skin may be indicated.
