Understanding Ear Swelling

Ear swelling, also known as auricular swelling, is the enlargement of the ear caused by fluid buildup in the ear’s tissues. It can occur in various parts of the ear, including the earlobe, ear canal, and cartilage.
Causes include trauma or injury, infections like otitis externa or cellulitis, allergic reactions to jewelry or personal care products, insect bites or stings, and medical conditions such as relapsing polychondritis or mastoiditis.

Symptoms accompanying ear swelling may include redness and warmth to the touch, pain or tenderness, itchiness, discharge or pus from the ear indicating an infection, and difficulty hearing if the swelling affects the ear canal.

Treatment for ear swelling depends on the underlying cause and may involve cold or warm compresses to reduce swelling and pain, over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, antibiotics if a bacterial infection is present, avoidance of allergens or irritants if allergies are the cause, and surgical intervention in severe cases, such as draining an abscess or treating cartilage damage.

Yes, ear swelling can affect hearing if the swelling impacts the ear canal. The fluid buildup and inflammation can obstruct the normal passage of sound, leading to temporary hearing difficulties.