Auricular injuries – the most common causes, types and procedures

Proven content

Injuries of the auricle lead to the formation of a hematoma as a result of bursting blood vessels and bleeding between the cartilage and the cartilage. Treatment should be performed by a specialist. Failure to do so may lead to infection, peritonitis, destruction of the cartilage and deformation of the auricle.

Auricle injuries

The pinna or the outer ear, often undergoes various damages not only as a result of mechanical injuries. The injury causes rupture of blood vessels and bleeding between the cartilage and the cartilage, resulting in the formation of a hematoma. Do not ignore suspicious symptoms as the effects of an injury can be serious. The pinna is a skin fold that encases the plate of elastic cartilage that gives it the right shape and appearance. There are various depressions and elevations on the auricle. In addition, the auricle has its own muscular apparatus, which is made up of many small muscles. The muscles of the auricle are motor innervated by the branches of the facial nerve.

What are the most common causes of auricle injuries?

The most common causes of this ailment include:

1. injuries – are the most common factor leading to damage to the auricle. A blow to the outer ear leads to the formation of a hematoma, and given the fact that the blood has nowhere to accumulate, the increasing pressure causes cartilage ischemia and often local death. Permanent ear deformation occurs most often in professional boxers, who are notoriously injured. Another type of injury is, for example, cuts, tears or holes in an ear. In addition, sebaceous cysts may form in the ear lobe or behind the turbinate, which are painful and require surgical removal;
2. solar radiation – people who are notoriously exposed to sunlight eventually struggle with actinic keratosis of the ears. This is dangerous because these types of lesions can develop a squamous or basal cell carcinoma. Both of these diseases destroy the skin, cartilage and bones, leading to ulceration and, in extreme cases, necrosis;
3. perchondritis – in addition to ear trauma, it can also be associated with burns, frostbites, and even poorly performed acupuncture. The first symptoms include ear swelling, followed by ear pain, burning and itching. Over time, abscesses form, which, when ruptured, take the form of skin ulcerations;
4. taking certain medications – the skin of the auricle may die due to the use of certain medications (e.g. levamisole);
5. an insect bite can also lead to deformation of the auricle.

Diseases of the auricle

1. Inflammation of the outer ear. Usually, we are protected against the development of otitis externa:

1. low pH of the skin covering the external auditory canal (hinders the development of bacterial infections),
2. self-cleaning of the ear canal,
3. antibacterial effects of lysozyme and immunoglobulins, which are located in the earwax glands,
4. protective effect of fats contained in earwax against maceration of the auricle.

The development of otitis externa occurs as a result of the breakdown of defense mechanisms. Inflammation can develop due to:

1. water retention in the external auditory canal,
2. damage to the epidermis of the auricle due to poor cleaning or picking,
3. lack of general immunity,
4. the presence of allergic diseases of the skin of the auricle, e.g. psoriasis,
5. lack of hygiene of the skin of the external ear canal in chronic otitis media.

2. Boil. It’s a bacterial disease it causes Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It causes severe headaches, which may be accompanied by a discharge of purulent and mucous discharge from the affected ear (with an ugly or odorless odor). Among the local symptoms, there is a narrowing or closure of the external auditory canal due to swelling and inflammation of the skin, which make it impossible to look deep into the canal. There may be more or less intense pressure soreness near the parotid gland. Before the treatment is started, a bacteriological and fungal smear is taken. The treatment itself may be local (insertion of antibacterial wipes) or antibiotic therapy (local or systemic).

3. Mycosis. This is a condition characterized by itching of the skin in the ear and sometimes pain in the ear. There is also a thick discharge with an unpleasant (bland) smell. Multicolored masses of mycelium and exfoliated epidermis are visible. Before the treatment is started, a swab from the ear is taken for mycological examinations. Treatment may be local by cleaning secretions from the external auditory canal followed by the administration of antifungal agents or their combination with a glucocorticoid (e.g. as a powder).

Types of injuries of the auricle

1. Frostbites. The drop in temperature outside causes the necrosis of the auricle, as a result of: vasoconstriction, increased permeability of blood vessels, tissue swelling, tissue ischemia and freezing of tissue fluids. At first, the auricle is anesthetized, pain does not appear until the cartilage becomes inflamed. In treatment, anticoagulants are administered. In addition, you should very gently warm the auricle.

2. Burns. The treatment of burns depends on its degree. In the case of XNUMXst degree burns, constant observation is necessary, while in the case of XNUMXnd and XNUMXrd degree burns, the auricle must not be compressed, antibiotic should be applied locally to patients, antibiotics should be applied in the general form and wounds should be treated with preparations accelerating tissue healing.

Auricular Injuries – Procedure

People whose auricle is swollen and blue as a result of an injury should see a doctor immediately. It is necessary to incision the skin and remove the hematoma that has formed to prevent the cartilage from dying off. If the auricle is cut or torn, it is necessary to clean and then sew the skin and put a pressure dressing on the patient for several days. In some cases, antibiotic therapy is additionally started.

An indication for a medical visit is also situations when we notice red and damaged skin of the auricle, although we do not remember that there was any trauma. The doctor will then exclude or confirm that the patient has cancer. However, hope should not be lost, as the tumor is curable in its initial stages, and it is also possible to preserve most of the ear. Unfortunately, patients who see their doctor too late require more extensive surgery, including removal of the lymph nodes, ear and surrounding skin.