Outer Ear Pain When Touched | 14 Useful Things To Know
Are you experiencing outer ear pain when touched? If touching your ear causes pain, you may have an outer ear infection, commonly known as otitis externa. Bacteria or fungus growing in the wet, dark environment of the ear, causing an outer ear infection.
Environmental factors such as exposure to water or extremely cold temperatures, which can cause the outer ear to freeze, are the most prevalent causes of outer ear discomfort.
Irritation from irritating things such as cotton swabs or fingers can also trigger tragus ear ache. Learn more about the reasons and treatment options by reading on.
Outer ear pain when touched symptoms
When the outer ear is touched, it generally causes slight discomfort that is aggravated by tugging on the ear or pressing on the lump (tragus) in front of the ear. The appearance of the ear does not normally alter when outer ear discomfort symptoms first occur.
Because the ear may not appear red, bloated, or misshapen at first, the symptoms may be overlooked. However, the outer ear is more than just the fleshy, cartilaginous portion where earrings are worn.
A canal goes from the eardrum to the exterior of the head, making up the outer ear.
Causes Of Outer Ear Pain When Touched
An infection of the ear canal, also known as otitis externa, is the most common cause of outer ear discomfort. The information below can assist you in better understanding your symptoms and determining when you should consult a doctor.
Contents
Irritation
| Pain can be caused by irritation of the outer ear. | |
| Abrasions or scratches | Excessive ear cleaning with cotton swabs or scraping inside the ear with a finger can cause skin breaks, allowing germs to develop. |
| Scratches or abrasions | Allergies to jewelry or hair products can irritate the skin and lead to illness. |
Obstruction
| Excess moisture inside the ear canal creates a perfect habitat for bacterial development.
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| Environmental | Swimming and perspiration, for example, cause moisture to enter the ear canal directly. Bacterial growth and illness might arise from repeated exposure.
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| Structural | Some people have tiny ear canals, which make it more difficult to drain moisture and encourage bacterial development and illness.
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| Devices | Headphones or hearing aids that are placed directly in your ears can potentially produce obstructions that collect extra water. |
Mild frostbite of the ears
Frostbite is tissue injury induced by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures (at or below 32F or 0C). It is most commonly encountered in those who engage in recreational activities such as camping, hunting, and winter sports. It’s also more common among those who are inebriated or suffer from a mental illness.
| Rarity | Rare |
| Primary Symptoms | Swollen ear, numbness in the ear, discomfort in the outer ear, ear redness, and becoming blue or purple due to cold
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| Symptoms of moderate frostnip of the ears that usually occur | Cold ears
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| Urgency | Hospital emergency room |
Mild frostnip of the ears
Frostnip is the result of exposure to the cold causing damage to the skin’s outermost layers (at or below 32F or 0C). It is most commonly encountered in those who engage in recreational activities such as camping, hunting, and winter sports.
| Rarity | Rare |
| Primary Symptoms | Cold ears, ear numbness, outer ear discomfort, ear redness, turning blue or purple due to coldness
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| Symptoms of moderate frostnip of the ears that usually occur | Cold ears
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| Urgency | In-person visit |
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin’s deep layers. It can appear anywhere on the body, although the feet, lower legs, and face are the most commonly affected areas.
If staphylococcal bacteria penetrate the damaged skin by a cut, scrape, or an existing skin infection like impetigo or eczema, the condition can develop.
Those with weaker immune systems, such as from corticosteroids or chemotherapy, or those with reduced circulation from diabetes or other vascular illness, are the most vulnerable.
Sore and reddish skin are among the symptoms that occur gradually.
If left untreated, the infection will develop, pus will form, and surrounding tissue will be destroyed. The infection can cause blood poisoning or meningitis in rare cases.
Severe discomfort, fever, cold chills, and a quick heartbeat should all be treated by a doctor right away. A physical examination is used to make a diagnosis.
NEW: Where is your exact pain point?
Tap or click on the area that is causing you pain, answer a few pain-related questions, and submit it to get your personalized pain report.
(Used by 100+ daily users, including from MIT, New York University, and more.)
Antibiotics, wound cleaning, and surgery to remove any dead tissue are all part of the therapy. Because cellulitis is prone to recurrence, it’s critical to address any underlying diseases and strengthen the immune system via rest and proper diet.
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Primary Symptoms | Fever, chills, facial redness, swollen face, and discomfort in the face are all symptoms of the flu. |
| Symptoms that are present in all cases of cellulitis | Redness on the face, redness on the skin |
| Urgency | Primary care doctor. |
Outer ear pain prevention
To avoid symptoms of outer ear pain, attempt to incorporate the following into your daily routine:
- Dry your ears: After swimming or bathing dry your ears if they have been exposed to moisture. To assist water drain from the ear canal, tilt your head to the side and gently wipe the outer ear with a cloth.
- Avoid putting foreign things in your earL: Things such as cotton swabs (Q-tips) or paper clips, in order to scrape or dig out earwax. These things can hurt or damage your ear’s skin, as well as pack stuff deeper into your ear canal, increasing obstruction and moisture buildup.
- Avoid irritants: By being aware of the type and quality of jewelry and piercings you wear on your ears. Cotton balls can help protect your ear canal from hair sprays and colors.
When should you see a doctor?
If you believe you have an ear infection, see a doctor. Your doctor will assist you in treating any infection and allowing your ear to recuperate.
- Drainage or cleaning: Your doctor will drain the water and remove any debris, earwax, or excess skin with suction or a tiny gadget.Antibiotic eardrops can circulate easily across all affected parts of the ear with proper cleansing. Your doctor may alternatively use cotton or gauze in the ear to encourage drainage, depending on the amount of the obstruction or edema.
- Ear-drops: Your doctor can prescribe ear drops containing a mix of antibacterial and antifungal substances. Drops will also assist to relieve inflammation and restore the pH balance in your ear. Make sure you use your eardrops exactly as directed.
- Pain medication: Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen to relieve the symptoms of outer ear discomfort (Advil, Motrin). Wearing headphones, hearing aids, or earplugs until the discomfort or discharge has subsided is not advised.
The outer ear is a sensitive area that can easily become irritated. If you have been experiencing pain in your ears, there are some things you should know to help reduce the discomfort and make it go away faster.
First, avoid touching or rubbing your ears as this could cause more irritation.
Second, use a cold compress on the affected area for about 10 minutes at a time to relieve pressure and swelling.
Third, take an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen if necessary to alleviate any fever associated with an infection.
Finally, follow these guidelines and hopefully you will start feeling better soon without too much pain!
NEW: Where is your exact pain point?
Tap or click on the area that is causing you pain, answer a few pain-related questions, and submit it to get your personalized pain report.
(Used by 100+ daily users, including from MIT, New York University, and more.)