Perichondritis

Perichondritis

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Photo provided by Bechara Ghorayeb, MD.

Perichondritis is an infection around the cartilage of your ear. Cartilage is the stiff but flexible material that gives your ear its shape.

• Perichondritis is usually caused by an injury, piercing, burn, or bite

• If you have diabetes or a weak immune system you’re more likely to get perichondritis

• Your ear will get red, painful, and swollen

• Pus may build up under the skin of your ear

• Doctors will give you antibiotics and, if needed, make a small cut to let any pus out of your ear

Symptoms include:

• Redness, pain, and swelling of your ear

Doctors will:

• Give you antibiotics by mouth

• Remove any objects from your ear, such as earrings or splinters

• Give you pain medicine

If you have an abscess (a collection of pus), doctors will:

• Make a cut in your ear to drain the pus