What Causes Painful Ear?

Posted on Wed, 17 Sep 2014

Question: Hi. My daughter has this on her ear. Its painful. Not red. Been there since last week. What could it be?she is 12 years old

Answered by Dr. Deepashree (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
fur uncle, consult with the doctor.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your query.
In my opinion, as per the photo sent, your daughter has a furuncle behind the ear.
It's a very painful condition as there is cartilage there.
This needs to be treated with penicillin antibiotics and anti inflammatory medicines like paracetamol + diclofenac combination drugs twice daily for 5 to 7 days. All these are prescription medicines, so I would advise you to consult with the doctor and get treated.
Emperically, to relieve pain, you can give paracetamol + diclofenac combination drugs twice daily for 3 to 5 days.
Hope my answers have helped you. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Deepashree (35 minutes later)

Hi. I googled fruncle. It seems it happened at places w hair or an open wound becoming infected wi th staph aures bacteria. She has no hair on nack of her ear and didnt have ant open wound ir scratch .

Answered by Dr. Deepashree (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Furuncle.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your follow up query.
Yes , it is true that the furuncle is seen in hair bearing areas and infected by staph.
Behind the ears also there are sebaceous glands which can get infected with staphylococcus.
Even nail injury or scratching can also cause this.
You can consult with the doctor and discuss my view with him. Hope my answers have helped you. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju