Perichondritis
Perichondritis is an infection of the skin and tissue surrounding the cartilage of the outer ear, also known as the perichondrium. The function of the perichondrium is to provide nourishment to the cartilage. Left untreated, perichondritis can infect the cartilage itself and cause further complications. Repeated episodes of perichondritis may lead a physician to suspect an underlying autoimmune disorder.
Perichondritis may have a number of causes, some of which are entirely preventable The most common cause of perichondritis in recent times is ear piercings, particularly piercings of the cartilage. Other causes of the condition may include: injury to the outer ear through surgery, accidents, contact sports, burns or acupuncture treatments.
Pain, redness and possible swelling of the ear are the most common symptoms of perichondritis. Often this redness appears at the site of an injury, even a small cut or scrape, and quickly spreads to the perichondrium. As the infection worsens, the patient may develop increasing pain, fever and, in extreme cases, a discharge of pus at the site of the injury. Doctors diagnose this disorder by a review of patient history and a thorough examination of the ear.
Perichondritis is treated with antibiotics which, depending on the severity of the condition, may be administered orally or intravenously. In some cases, surgical drainage may be required for pus trapped in the outer ear. If perichondritis is not treated promptly, there is danger of the infection spreading to the cartilage, a condition known as chondritis. In severe cases, the damaged part of the outer ear may have to be surgically removed and plastic surgery may have to be performed to restore the ear's original shape. The great majority of patients, however, who receive prompt medical care, recover completely from perichondritis without any complications.
Prevention of perichondritis is best achieved through keeping the ear clean, particularly when there is any injury to the area, and avoiding piercings that penetrate the cartilage.