Anatomy
The earlobe can be seen as an appendage of the auricle, which forms the lowest part of the ear. It can be attached to the scalp or freely hanging, both of which are naturally possible. All variations in shape and size can be explained by embryonic development and have no disease value as long as there is no impairment of hearing. In relation to the rest of the ear, it differs in that it consists only of skin, fat and connective tissue and is very deformable due to the lack of cartilage in contrast to the rest of the ear. At the same time, the blood circulation is remarkably strong, which can be proved by massaging the earlobe.
Function
It is not clear whether the earlobe has any function at all. In any case, it is certain that it consists mainly of well supplied with blood fat tissue. And this is used in acupuncture or reflex zone massage to activate the energy metabolism. In the context of the hearing process it is of no importance.
Inflammation of the earlobe
When an earlobe is inflamed, it is usually noticeable by the typical signs of inflammation. In concrete terms this means that it is red, overheated, swollen and painful. In some cases, a purulent inflammation can also occur.
There are several possible causes. The most common is inflammation of the earlobe due to the smallest “micro-injuries” caused, for example, by wearing earrings or, more rarely, by insect bites. These tiny injuries cause the normal skin barrier on the earlobe to be damaged and the body, in response, tries to repair this defect by triggering an inflammatory reaction.
Inflammatory cells help both to prevent or combat the possible immigration of bacteria and to initiate the repair process. Thus, the inflammation itself is a benign reaction of our body, but it causes the disturbing symptoms. A possible form of the rarer inflammation, which is triggered from “inside”, usually originates from the skin. Thus, even a harmless pimple on or near the earlobe can become inflamed or an intolerance reaction in the form of a nickel allergy, for example, can be triggered and cause the same observable symptoms.
