Perichondritis of the ear

Perichondritis is the inflammation of the perichondrium of the ear. Also known as the auricle or pinna, the perichondrium is a very sensitive part of our ear, easily susceptible to dermatoses, trauma, insect bites and infections. As a result, this type of inflammation or ear cartilage infection is often secondary to other ear conditions, such as otitis.

If you are suffering from auricular perichondritis, the first symptoms to appear will be redness, pain, swelling of the ear cartilage and, in some cases, fever.    

The risk of contracting perichondritis is higher in people with systemic inflammatory diseases and with a debilitated immune system, as well as people with diabetes and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (or Wegener's granulomatosis).

Given that it is an inflammation of the auricle or pinna, an improperly treated otitis externa is one of the most common causes of perichondritis. However, it can also be triggered by the following factors: 

• traumas; 
• insect bites; 
• burns; 
• cartilage perforations; 
• ear piercing infections; 
• pimples in ear; 
• shingles; 
• ear surgeries.

We will now briefly discuss how to treat perichondritis. In most cases, the key is choosing a treatment that can effectively treat several areas at once, reduce the inflammation, treat what triggered it and alleviate any pain. 

If perichondritis is caused by an infection, the most common perichondritis treatments are:

• antibiotic drugs;
• incision and drainage of abscesses; 
• corticotherapy to minimize pain; 
• ear surgery, for more severe cases.

Regardless of the treatment chosen, it is important to begin treatment promptly and choose the right antibiotic based on the results of your clinical examinations.