If the cartilage of the ear hurts, then this is not only physical suffering, but also a clinical sign of pathology or trauma. Unpleasant sensations are transmitted to the temporal, occipital part of the head, neck. This is due to the structural features of the organ of hearing: histology, physiology, blood supply and innervation. The pain in the ear is pulsating, aching, paroxysmal, may be accompanied by other signs. The nature of the sensations always depends on the cause of the occurrence.
A bit about ear anatomy
The human ear is an organ of complex structure designed to receive and transform sound vibrations. The organ consists of the inner, middle and outer ear. In case of violation of the integrity or functionality of one of the parts, this leads to malfunctions of the entire auditory system.
The outer ear is the lateral part of the organ of hearing, including the auricle and the bone-cartilage canal, which is the external auditory canal. The base of the auricular shell is cartilage, consisting of elastin fibers. The difference between cartilaginous tissue and many others is the absence inside its nerves and elastic tubular formations through which blood circulates. A psychophysiological reaction with irritation of this type of tissue cannot occur, since it does not have nerve endings. Speaking about the fact that the cartilage of the ear hurts, we mean the skin, auricular shell or adjacent tissues and organs.
The muscles of the shell are reduced and do not provide its mobility. Motor innervation is carried out by the seventh facial nerve, which also provides communication with the central nervous system of the facial muscles and lacrimal glands. The afferent nerves of the conch supply the ear-temporal and large auricular nerves.
Causes of Pain
There are many factors influencing the appearance of unpleasant sensations on the external part of the organ of hearing. It is impossible to answer immediately the question of why ear cartilage hurts. Even a rather experienced otolaryngologist without the results of examinations cannot make an accurate diagnosis. The reason for this is a large number of similar symptoms related to different pathologies.
Diseases caused by pathogenic microbes, viruses, injuries of various etiologies, allergic reactions can provoke pain. With neuralgic diseases, pain in the auricle is one of the symptoms. If you experience unpleasant sensations in young children, you need to contact a pediatrician as soon as possible. If the cause of the disease is an ear, then if they are not treated properly, many of them in childhood can lead to deafness.
It happens that the cartilage of the ear hurts due to a burn of the skin covering it or frostbite. But even if the cause is identified independently, you should still visit a specialist (in this case, a combiologist), he will determine the degree of tissue damage and prescribe adequate therapy.
Allergy
An allergic reaction manifests itself not only in the form of redness on the skin. It can also be accompanied by pain in the ears and hearing loss. With these symptoms, you need to revise the diet: reduce the intake of protein, red fruits, citrus fruits, change laundry detergents, shampoo, and be sure to take an analysis for immunoglobulins E. Ignoring signs of allergies can lead to inflammation of the mucous membrane of the Eustachian (auditory) tube and the development of tubootitis.
Many people, especially representatives of the beautiful half of humanity, have been pierced from a young age. If, after some time after a puncture, the cartilage of the ear hurts and itches, most likely, an allergic reaction to the antiseptic or the metal from which the jewelry is made has occurred. Earrings need to be removed, the hole carefully treated with "Miramistin" and drink an antihistamine. If the condition worsens: redness, increased pain, the appearance of itching, you should consult a doctor.
Ear injuries
One of the most common causes of ear pain is injury. Various injuries: bruises, wounds, insect bites are combined with a violation of the integrity of the elastic ear tissue. Damage can occur due to burns, for example, when using curling irons or frostbite while ignoring the headgear in frosty weather.
In young children with complaints of pain in the ears, first of all, you should examine the hearing aid for the presence of foreign bodies or traces (scratches, bruises) from them.
It happens that the cartilage was punctured and the ear hurts in the place of the hole. As a rule, this phenomenon is temporary and lasts for several days. If the situation does not change after some time, you should consult a doctor. He will examine the auditory organ for serious damage to the skin or cartilage. Otherwise, a hematoma may develop (blood accumulation in the thickness of the shell, which develops into cartilage necrosis. After examination, the doctor will prescribe antiseptics, ointments for resorption of hematomas (Troxevasin, Lyoton), and in case of serious damage and the risk of infection, a course of antibacterial preparations.
Neuralgia
Unpleasant sensations in the ears can occur due to damage to the peripheral nerves. Pain can be a sign of trigeminal, strepid, vagus nerve neuralgia or an inflammatory process in the ear node.
With damage to the nerves of the occipital zone, the pain spreads to the ears and the temporal zone. Auricular vegetative ganglion disease is manifested by paroxysms of regional pain. Paroxysm may be accompanied by an increase in salivation, clicks in the organ of hearing and its stuffiness without loss of perception of sound. With neuralgia, cartilage of the ear hurts when pressed, pulsates in the back of the head, neck and lower jaw. With such diseases, there are no motor disorders, sensitivity remains normal, and there is no structural modification in the nerve itself.
The treatment is comprehensive. Medication includes B vitamins, anesthetic injections, Apifor tablets (for electrophoresis), Virapin ointment, Apizartron. The effectiveness of therapy is achieved by applying physiotherapy, acupuncture, laser, ultraviolet radiation.
Infectious and Infectious Diseases
Physical discomfort in the ear can be a consequence of inflammatory processes. Their list is quite large:
- Perichondritis is an inflammation of the vascularized membrane covering the cartilage (perichondria). The disease is characterized by pain in the auricle, swelling, and a general increase in temperature. In severe cases, purulent exudate accumulates between the cartilage and perichondroma, the skin is scarred, and the shell is deformed.
- Otomycosis is an infectious disease caused by parasitic mycelium (aspergillus, ficomycetes, candida). Usually only the outer ear is affected. People with reduced immunity and diabetes mellitus suffer from otomycosis. Factors affecting the development of the disease are the ingress of dirty water into the ear canal and the long-term use of antibacterial ear drops.
- External otitis media is an inflammatory process in the ear, accompanied by damage to the tissues of the bone-cartilaginous canal and shell. In most cases, the disease is infectious. It occurs in mild and severe degrees of otalgia for several days, with a feeling of stuffiness, itching, purulent discharge from the auditory canal.
Pathogens can enter the body tissue due to invasive procedures (piercing). If the ear is swollen and sore after a cartilage puncture, this may indicate an infection. At the first symptoms, you need to contact a therapist, after examination he will redirect to either an otolaryngologist or an infectious disease specialist (depending on the severity of the course of inflammation).
Pathology of the temporomandibular joint
If the cartilage of the ear hurts for a long time and at the same time it is difficult to move the lower jaw, these are most likely clinical signs of inflammation of the joints of the face. Arthritis and arthrosis of the temporomandibular joint have a long and persistent course. In addition to pain, the characteristic signs of the disease include: facial flushing, a feeling of fullness. Factors affecting the development of TMJ are of infectious and non-infectious (strokes, fractures) genesis.
The presence of arthritis and arthrosis is established using instrumental diagnostics. Treatment is usually carried out by non-surgical methods.
Water in the ear
It so happens that after swimming in the pool, cartilage of the ear hurts and what to do is unclear. Such cases have a simple explanation. In the external auditory canal, earwax is produced, which serves as a natural lubricant to its walls. Normally, the glands secrete it very little. When water enters the ear, sulfur swells and an obstruction (clogging) of the auditory canal is created, accompanied by a decrease in hearing, first discomfort, and later pain.
The accumulation of sulfur is called "sulfur cork." It can be quite dense, so a specialist should deal with its removal. Usually it is eliminated by washing the passage with antacids. If the ear is not rinsed, an inflammatory process may begin. Of particular danger is water from bodies of water.
Treatment
If you experience unpleasant sensations in the auditory organ, first of all it is necessary to examine it for injuries and foreign bodies. If the cartilage of the ear hurts after a puncture, the jewelry should be removed. In case of severe otalgia, painkillers are taken (Ketorol, Nalgesin, Etodin Fort).
Self-medication for unpleasant sensations in the auditory organ is extremely undesirable. Ear pain is a symptom; the cause can be very serious. Illiterate therapy can lead to disastrous consequences, up to deafness. Therefore, if the ear hurts, you should visit the doctor as soon as possible.