Perichondritis
A completely different cause of inflammation of the ear and earlobe is perichondritis. This is an inflammation of the cartilage skin in the ear, which can spread to the surrounding skin. It is caused by germs and pathogens that have penetrated the skin, usually through very small, unnoticed injuries.
The most common pathogens are pseudomonas and staphylococci. Characteristic for perichondritis is a reddened and swollen ear. The earlobe itself is often spared, as there is no cartilage left.
Perichondritis can be treated with antibiotics, preferably administered in tablet form. Ciprofloaxin and Levofloxacin are the first choice. If the inflammation is already too advanced, the drugs can also be administered as infusions.
Erysipelas
However, if the redness and swelling also affect the earlobe itself, it is suspected that it could be erysipelas. Erysipelas, also known as erysipelas, is also a bacterial infection of the uppermost layers of the skin. The redness is very strong and clearly limited.In most cases, these are infiltrated ß-hemolytic group A streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes). Patients with water retention (edema) are particularly susceptible to erysipelas, as the disturbed removal of lymph fluid makes it harder for the body’s own defence cells to fight the harmful bacteria. The treatment of erysipelas, similar to eczema, consists of the administration of antibiotics, the gold standard being penicillins or cephalosporins.
Atheroma
If the inflammation of the earlobe is not caused by external factors, genetic factors are possible. Here the so-called atheromas are of interest. Atheromas are small, benign cysts in the subcutaneous fatty tissue.
The vernacular also calls them sometimes groats bags, bellows tumor or semolina nodes. Atheromas are caused by an obstructed sebaceous gland duct. This also explains their composition: fat drops and crystals as well as skin cells.
Complaints usually only occur when such an atheroma becomes inflamed or ulcerated. In this case it is best to consult a surgeon for surgical removal. Since there are bacteria in the pus, the contents of the atheroma must first be removed before it can be operated out itself. This sounds complex, but is only a small routine procedure.