The outer ear is made up of the pinna and the ear canal. A multitude of disorders can affect the outer ear. The external ear is commonly subjected to inflammations. It can be a site for trauma, allergies and growths. Earwax is also a common problem of the outer ear. But many of these disorders can be managed.
Wax and Foreign Objects
The glands in the ear canal naturally secrete wax. When an excessive amount is secreted, it becomes a problem and leads to itching, ear block and occasionally pain. Your doctor can remove it with instruments or flush the wax using a syringe.
Foreign objects are also an issue. Small children, while playing, commonly insert foreign objects like buttons, beads and erasers into their ear. In adults, foreign objects such as cotton buds are left behind while trying to clean the ear. These have to be removed with appropriate instruments by a specialist.
Infections
Bacteria, viruses or fungi can inflame the skin of the ear canal. This is called otitis externa, or swimmer's ear, as infection of the ear canal can often occur in swimmers. This condition will result in itching, pain and watery discharge from the canal, and possible hearing loss. To treat this, your doctor will clean the canal, put some antibiotic drops in it and prescribe 2 percent acetic acid to prevent it in the future, reports Baylor College of Medicine.
Fungal growth of the skin of the canal occurs with high humidity and with excess moisture. Symptoms are itching, pain and ringing sounds in the ear. The treatment entails cleaning the ear and anti-fungal ear drops.
Otitis externa also occurs in people who scratch the ear or use ear buds or matchsticks, which can irritate the skin lining the canal.
A common cause of otitis externa is allergies to hairspray, shampoos, cosmetics and earrings. This can cause inflammation of the overlying skin. The condition is treated by avoiding the product causing it and using steroid creams.
Injury
A blow to the ear can result in hematoma. Hematoma is a collection of blood between the cartilage of the outer ear and the perichondrium. The condition can lead to a cauliflower-shaped deformity of the ear if left untreated. Your doctor will cut it open and drain the blood to prevent this.
Perichondritis is infection of the tissue surrounding the cartilage of the ear lobe. It results from injury to the ear, following ear piercing and insect bites. The whole ear becomes red, swollen and is very painful. Get medical care immediately if this occurs.
Tumors
Cancerous or non-cancerous growths can be seen in the outer ear. Benign growths like cysts, keloids and osteomas are common.
Sebaceous cysts are sacs filled with secretions. Bony growths, like osteomas, block the outer ear and cause some degree of hearing loss. Keloid is excess scar tissue on the ear lobe seen commonly after ear piercing. These are removed surgically.
Skin cancers on the outer ear can occur after exposure to sun rays. To treat this, your doctor may advise surgery or radiation.
