Inflammation of the auricle, which is better known in medicine under the term “perichondritis,” is a very common problem. The disease is accompanied by an inflammatory process that is localized in the skin and perichondrium. Of course, many people are interested in additional information. Why does auritis develop? Symptoms and treatment, risk factors and possible complications are important points to familiarize yourself with.
What is a disease?
As you know, the structural basis of the outer ear is cartilage. It, in turn, is covered with a perichondrium, which, in fact, provides nutrition and regeneration of cartilaginous tissues.
Damage to the skin in the outer ear can be accompanied by the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms (viruses and bacteria) into the tissues of the perichondrium. The activity of microbes in certain conditions entails the development of an inflammatory process. Perichondritis is a dangerous disease that can never be ignored, because if untreated, the infection penetrates even deeper, affecting the cartilage tissue.
The main causes of inflammation
Inflammation of the auricle always has an infectious nature. The disease is associated with the ingress of pathogenic microorganisms into the tissues of the skin and perichondrium. In most cases, Staphylococcus aureus, as well as streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and some other microorganisms act as pathogens.
The mechanism of infection can be:
- primary, when bacteria or viruses enter the tissue from the external environment through wounds or fissures of the skin;
- secondary, when pathogenic microorganisms are transferred to tissues along with a blood stream from other organ systems.
In any case, it is not worth ignoring the signs of the disease, since in the absence of therapy the likelihood of developing inflammation of the auricle cartilage is not excluded, and this is already much more dangerous.
Risk factors
Most often, the infection enters the auricle through cuts and microcracks. Gates for pathogens can be animal bites, ear piercing, injuries, scratches. Inflammation of the auricle in a child often appears at the site of an insect bite (mosquitoes, mosquitoes) - the baby combes the damaged skin, and often does it with dirty hands, which leads to tissue infection.
Perichondritis is sometimes complicated by diseases of the external auditory canal, as well as otitis media of the external and middle ear. Inflammation of the skin and perichondrium may develop against a background of furunculosis or eczema.
Risk factors include the impact on the auricle of too low or, conversely, excessively high temperatures - statistics indicate that inflammation of the auricle often develops after frostbite of the skin or as a result of burns.
The state of the immune system is also of great importance, because, as you know, pathogenic microorganisms can actively reproduce only if the body does not fight infection. Therefore, the risk factors include influenza and colds - during this period, immunity is weakened. Long-term use of antibiotics can also lead to a depletion of the immune system.
Serous inflammation of the auricle: photos and symptoms
A serous form of inflammation is relatively rare. It is characterized by a sluggish course, so patients rarely go to the doctor at the initial stages of the development of the disease. The affected auricle turns red, swollen. Patients note a sensation of heat and a burning sensation in the area of ​​affected tissue. The skin of the ear itself acquires a characteristic glossy shine and becomes hot to the touch.
In addition, there are systemic disorders. Patients complain of constant weakness and fatigue, which, however, is attributed to general malaise and strain. There may be problems with sleep, decreased or complete lack of appetite, the appearance of outbreaks of irritability.
Features of the clinical picture with purulent inflammation
Purulent inflammation of the auricle is much more dangerous, but at the same time a more common pathology. Systemic disorders are more pronounced: there is a sharp increase in body temperature, the appearance of weakness, chills, muscle weakness, body aches.
The auricle strongly swells and turns red, and with the accumulation of pus, it even acquires a bluish, even purple hue. On the cartilage form visible nodules and tubercles. Any touch to the auricle is accompanied by bouts of intense pain, which is localized not only in the ear, but also gives off to the temples, neck, back of the head. If the ear cartilage softens, and the tissues begin to exfoliate, then you can notice that the skin of the ear is wrinkled, and the shell itself is reduced in size.
Do not ignore these symptoms and hope that everything goes away by itself - in this case, every minute is worth its weight in gold, because it is very important to start therapy on time.
Diagnostic measures
If you have symptoms of auricle inflammation, then you should immediately consult an ENT specialist. As a rule, in order to make a diagnosis, it is enough for the doctor to familiarize himself with the medical history and conduct a general examination. If we are talking about the early stages of the development of the ailment, then it is worthwhile to conduct a differential diagnosis, which allows to separate perichondritis from erysipelas of the auricle (treatment in this case will be different) and hematomas (pathology accompanied by accumulation of blood in the space between the cartilage and perichondrium).
Sometimes additional procedures are prescribed, in particular blood tests, tissue scraping. This makes it possible not only to confirm the presence of an inflammatory process, but also to identify the pathogen and, therefore, to select the most effective drugs.
Possible complications
You already know what symptoms accompany auricle inflammation. On the outside, the skin of the ear turns red, then swells. Gradually, the pathological process covers the entire perichondrium, the formation and accumulation of pus begins.
The list of complications includes purulent inflammation of the cartilage of the auricle. If the contents of the abscess are not evacuated on time, and the patient does not undergo appropriate treatment, then there is a possibility of the so-called purulent melting of the cartilage. Cartilage tissue lends itself to the process of necrosis and simply disappears. The auricle loses its natural shape, and the skin on the ear wrinkles. The whole process is accompanied by fever and severe pain. Such changes are irreversible - even after the inflammatory process is eliminated, the patient will need plastic surgery to restore cartilage.
Moreover, there is always a chance that an infection that affects the perichondrium and cartilage will enter the bloodstream and lead to systemic complications.
Inflammation of the auricle: what to do? Drug therapy
The choice of treatment methods and drugs depends largely on the cause and stage of the disease. But regardless of the form of inflammation, patients require rest, bed rest, plentiful drinking, an easy but high-calorie diet, rest, and taking vitamin complexes.
Since most often the ailment is associated with the activity of bacterial microflora, the treatment of inflammation of the auricle involves the use of antibiotics. As a rule, patients are prescribed drugs such as Tetracycline, Ampicillin, Sulfadimizin, Erythromycin. Medications can be used both in tablet form and in the form of injections.
The auricle is treated with creams with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Effective are Flucinar, Vishnevsky ointment, Polymyxin ointment. Compresses from alcohol, as well as camphor-ichthyol lotions, help to cope with the inflammatory process and suppuration.
Additionally, patients are prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen, Nurofen, Diclofenac. These drugs help relieve pain, eliminate fever.
As a rule, serous inflammation lends itself well to complex drug therapy, but in the case of purulent perichondritis, surgical intervention may be required.
Physiotherapy
Treatment of inflammation of the auricle often includes various physiotherapeutic procedures:
- UHF therapy is considered effective. This technique involves exposure to tissues (in this case, the auricle) by a high-frequency electromagnetic field. Such procedures help to improve the circulation of lymph and blood, stop the development of the inflammatory process, increase the permeability of the walls of the capillaries, improve trophic tissue, thereby facilitating the access of immune bodies to the focus of inflammation.
- Patients are often referred for microwave therapy. Its essence is in the effect on the tissues of microwaves. Under their influence, the blood vessels expand, the spasm of smooth muscles is eliminated, the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins is normalized. Microwave therapy provides analgesic, antispasmodic and pronounced anti-inflammatory effects.
- With inflammatory skin diseases (including in the area of ​​the auricle), good results are obtained by UV-therapy - treatment with ultraviolet radiation. Such treatment has an anti-inflammatory effect, relieves soreness, improves trophic tissue, stimulates the activity of the immune system.
As a rule, such treatment is prescribed to patients with serous forms of auricle inflammation. If we are talking about purulent perichondritis, then first you need to cope with the purulent process, clean the abscesses - only after that various procedures can be performed.
Surgery
Statistics show that purulent inflammation of the auricle in most cases requires surgical intervention, because it is very important to cleanse the tissue from purulent masses in time and remove areas of necrosis, if any.
The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia (the patient remains conscious). First, the doctor makes one or more incisions behind the ear (usually parallel to the ear fold), after which he completely removes the pus and cleans the operative field from dead tissue. After that, a special tube is inserted into the wound, which provides drainage, after which a bandage is applied. For several days or weeks, the wound is regularly washed with antiseptic solutions.
In the event that the disease ended with the destruction of cartilage, sometimes plastic surgery is additionally required to restore the natural shape of the ear.
Home treatment
Is it possible to treat auritis in the home? This question is asked by many patients. You need to understand that the consequences of the disease can be extremely serious, so you can not ignore the symptoms - you need to start antibiotic treatment as soon as possible.
Of course, traditional medicine offers a huge number of recipes effective for inflammation of the skin and cartilage. But remember that they can only be used as adjuvants and in no case are a full-fledged alternative to medical treatment.
Some folk healers recommend lubricating the auricle with fresh juice from aloe leaves 4-5 times a day. The extract of this plant has antiseptic properties, and also fights inflammation. Compresses from a strong decoction of chamomile will come in handy - this plant is also an anti-inflammatory agent. For disinfection, the auricle can be treated with hydrogen peroxide, “Furacilin” or iodine. Effective are lotions from a decoction of juniper.
In any case, you can use such home-made medicines only with the permission of the ENT specialist. Do not forget that self-medication can be hazardous to health.
Predictions for Patients
If the patient turned to the doctor on time and started treatment, then the symptoms of the disease, as a rule, can be stopped and then the inflammatory process can be completely eliminated. But there is the likelihood of complications. For example, an ailment can go to cartilage and lead to necrosis. If there was a “melting” of the cartilage, then the appearance of large scars and cosmetic defects in the ear.
Preventive actions
Of course, it’s much easier to try to avoid infection than then treat it. What do we have to do? Minimize exposure to risk factors.
- Very often, perichondritis develops after ear piercing, especially if the procedure involves piercing the cartilage (a puncture in the area of ​​the lobe is much safer). If you still want to become the owner of the earring, you need to be very responsible for choosing a salon, get acquainted with the methods of sterilization of tools that experts use - all needles and other devices must be disinfected. After the puncture, the piercing site should be regularly washed with antiseptic agents, as well as antibiotic solutions (in the first few days).
- Avoid auricle injuries. If you engage in contact sports, ride a bicycle or motorcycle, then do not forget to wear special head protection (helmet).
- Places of insect bites, as well as wounds and scratches in the ear, should be treated with antiseptic solutions.
- In winter, wear a hat that covers your ears - this way you protect fabrics from exposure to low temperatures.
And remember that if any symptoms appear, it is important to consult a doctor on time and in no case to refuse therapy.