Pain behind the ear

When we experience pain in some parts of our body, we should pay attention to it in time. When pain occurs in some parts of the body, it means that there are some diseases in the body. In particular, some people will experience pain behind the ears. Such a phenomenon should attract our attention. It is very likely related to some diseases. Let's take a look at what is going on.

Have you ever experienced pain behind the ear? Especially the pain will be obvious after being compressed. If there is pain behind the ear, it may be caused by some ear disease. You should go to the hospital for relevant examination in time.

1. External ear diseases

(I) Trauma of the auricle

External force applied to the auricle can cause auricular hematoma or laceration. Auricular hematoma often occurs on the dorsal side of the auricle, causing slight local pain. After secondary infection, the pain becomes severe.

(ii) Chondritis of the auricle

Serous chondritis is a condition in which fluid accumulates under the cartilage of the concha or inside the cartilage, which is generally painless or only slightly swollen. Purulent chondritis, local redness and swelling with fluctuation, severe pain.

3. Herpes zoster oticus

Bamsay Hunt syndrome, also known as herpes zoster oticus, is a viral infection of the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve that causes severe ear pain. It can be divided into three types according to the condition.

1. Herpes simplex type first causes ear discomfort or burning sensation, followed by ear pain, redness and swelling of the auricle and external auditory canal skin, and herpes occurs in the local skin 3-5 days later. Herpes mainly appears on the concave surface of the auricle and occasionally in the external auditory canal. It forms a crust after a few days and heals after about a week.

2. Herpes complicated with facial nerve damage type has ipsilateral peripheral facial paralysis in addition to the rash. Facial paralysis usually occurs about a week after the appearance of the cancer rash.

3. Herpes complicated by facial nerve and auditory nerve damage type lesions not only involve the geniculate ganglion, but also damage the auditory nerve, causing tinnitus, sensorineural deafness and vertigo. This type is more serious, indicating that the lesion is located in the labyrinthine leg of the facial nerve.

Glossopharyngeal nerve herpes or vagal ganglion herpes may be accompanied by ear pain but no facial paralysis. There are no ear lesions in glossopharyngeal nerve herpes, and herpes appears on the soft palate and tonsils. In the case of vagal ganglioneuropathy herpes, the herpes is located in the postauricular groove and the posterior wall of the external auditory canal. Rashes of the 1st and 2nd cervical nerves can also cause ear pain, which is severe and localized in the mastoid area. Herpes is located on the convex surface of the auricle and the skin of the neck.

(IV) External auditory canal embolism or foreign matter

It can compress the skin of the ear canal or the eardrum, causing severe pain, especially when it swells with water.

(V) Ear boils

Ear furuncle is an acute suppurative inflammation of the hair follicles or sebaceous glands in the skin of the external auditory canal, and is prone to occur in the cartilaginous part of the ear canal. Local redness, swelling and tenderness. Spontaneous severe pain, especially at night or when chewing.

(VI) Acute diffuse otitis externa

Acute diffuse otitis externa is a widespread suppurative infection of the skin of the external auditory canal. There is obvious spontaneous pain and pain with pulling of the auricle or tenderness of the tragus.

(VII) Necrotizing otitis externa

Also known as malignant otitis externa. This disease often occurs in patients with diabetes, so it is also called diabetic otitis externa. The causative bacteria is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Necrosis of the ear canal spreads rapidly to the surrounding area and may be complicated by mastoiditis, skull base osteomyelitis, meningitis, sepsis, etc.

2. Middle ear diseases

(I) Tympanic membrane trauma

The most common cause of tympanic membrane trauma is a sudden increase in pressure in the external auditory canal, such as blast, slapping, diving, etc. In addition, the eardrum may be damaged if the Eustachian tube is stretched too far or the instrument is inserted too deep when removing foreign objects. When the eardrum ruptures, there is temporary tearing pain and may also cause hearing loss, dizziness, and tinnitus.

If you have pain behind the ear, you should be able to make a timely diagnosis. Generally, ear pain is caused by some diseases, some are external ear diseases, and some are middle ear diseases. No matter what causes the ear pain, if it is not treated in time, it is likely to cause other diseases, which will pose a great threat to our health.