Ear Inflammation And Redness
A 25-year-old lady came in complaining of severe pain in her right ear. She got her ear pierced 3 days before the presentation, and it had become sensitive 2 days afterwards.
The sensitivity and accompanying throbbing discomfort were becoming steadily worse. The patient, who had previously had her ears pierced, denied having a fever, chills, or recently traveling abroad.
She was quite clean since she showered often and went to the gym often. A red, swollen ear was palpable during the physical examination (FIGURE).
Everything save the earlobe was swelled on the auricle. It was also seen that the helical puncture site was discharging purulent material.
Auricular perichondritis is characterized by inflammation of the connective tissue surrounding the ear cartilage. It can result from various factors, including infections and autoimmune reactions, sometimes affecting the underlying cartilage. Notably, it typically spares the earlobe, which lacks cartilage, aiding in diagnosis.
Bilateral involvement often points to autoimmune-related conditions. Infections are indicated by purulent discharge from a wound. Common causes include ear piercings, trauma, surgery, or unknown triggers, often requiring thorough investigation.
This case involved a patient who had her ear pierced with an uncapped gun at a mall kiosk. Such shearing damage to the perichondrium can predispose to infection. Early diagnosis is vital, as erysipelas, relapsing polychondritis, and auricular perichondritis can cause similar symptoms.
Prompt treatment is crucial to prevent disfigurement and complications. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, often linked to injured cartilage, requires specific antibiotics like ciprofloxacin. Surgical procedures may be necessary in severe cases leading to necrosis and permanent deformity. Immediate observation and experience-based treatment are essential, leading to successful resolution in this instance with a 10-day regimen of 500 mg ciprofloxacin taken every 12 hours, resulting in a complete recovery within two days.
