Swollen ear question.

[SeaStar]

My health insurance doesn''t kick in until Monday and I''ve googled this without any luck. My pinna and tragus area are swollen, hot, red and painful, and theres a small lump beneath the skin in the upper inner fold above the tragus. I also have sinus pressure, that ear is blocked, and I have a headache and stiff neck/shoulders. The swollen ear has come and gone a couple times over the past month, but it''s been a few days and getting worse. It burns and if I poke at it, it sometimes drains a little bit of clear fluid. I don''t have cauliflower ear but it could head that way if it gets any more swollen. I don''t recall doing anything traumatic. Any ideas and what to do to treat it?

 

[Lynnie]

Hmmm... I don''t have much advice, other than to get to a dr as soon as you can. The bump could be a pimple or a boil, or an abcess or cyst. That would cause some swelling, etc. It is possible to have cysts and such inside the ear canal too, which you really wouldn''t know about until you get an exam. I''d suggest to NOT poke it, because if there''s an infection in there, it can travel into your ear and make things worse. Sounds like you''ve got a bad sinus infection, too. When an infection occurrs, mucous clogs up your eustachian tube because it''s inflamed, and causes the blocking you''re describing.

As far as treating it, for now, just stick with some OTC NSAIDS, like Ibuprofen, to help with the redness and swelling, and maybe some Sudafed to help with the sinus pressure. It''d be a good idea to clean it well with hydrogen peroxide, too.

But def get to a dr. as soon as possible... you probably need some antibiotics - they''ll probably give you oral and ear drops.

Good luck, and lots of feel better dust!

 

[VegasAngel]

I have no idea what it could be but some Walgreens, CVS etc. offer quick care clinics with reasonable rates & weekend hours.

 

[bebe]

Maybe try hot/warm compresses to help with the pain. I have awful ear pain from time to time related to sinus issues.
Good luck, I hope you get some medical advice soon. Please let us know the outcome.