Perichondritis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
The auricle is made of cartilage which is covered with a tissue called the perichondrium. This tissue serves to provide nutrition and protect cartilage. Perichondritis is an infection condition of the perichondrium.
Treatment of perichondritis must be done immediately. If treated too late, perichondritis can cause permanent complications, namely cauliflower ear. This is a cosmetic deformity of the auricle that is permanent and causes the auricle to take on a cauliflower-like shape.
Symptoms
The main symptom of perichondritis can be seen in the auricles. The affected earlobe will appear red, swollen, and painful. In conditions of severe infection, pus appears flowing out of the earlobe, accompanied by a high fever. If perichondritis is not treated immediately, over time there will be permanent changes in the structure of the auricle. The earlobe will look like a cauliflower ear ( cauliflower ear ).
In people with diabetes mellitus whose blood sugar is not controlled (blood sugar when above 200 mg/dl) or people who have a disease that causes their immune system to fall, severe infections are very prone to occur.
If perichondritis recurs, complications can occur into the ear. These complications can be:
- Floppy ear (earlobe looks limp)
- Sudden hearing loss
- Vertigo
- Balance disorders
- Dizziness or a feeling of floating head
- Discharge from the ear
- Rupture of the eardrum due to infection in the middle ear
Reason
Perichondritis results from a bacterial infection of the perichondrium. Under normal circumstances, an intact perichondrium cannot be infected by bacteria. However, if there is an injury to the earlobe, the perichondrium experiences a ‘wound’ so that bacteria can enter it and cause an infection.
There are various things that can trigger an injury. However, the most common triggers are:
- Piercing on the earlobe
- Injuries during sports, for example, when playing boxing, the earlobe is hit by a fist
- Injury due to ear surgery
- Insect bites
- Burns on the earlobe
- External ear infection (otitis externa)
- Autoimmune diseases such as granulomatosis
Meanwhile, the bacteria that are often the cause are the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa (often found in contaminated water), Staphylococcus aureus (bacteria on the skin), and Streptococcus pyogenes (bacteria on the skin).
Diagnosis
It is generally not difficult to confirm the presence of perichondritis. The doctor will conduct a thorough interview regarding an injury to the earlobe and perform an examination of the ear, as well as a complete physical examination of the entire body.
Usually, a doctor’s examination alone is enough to confirm this disease. If the condition is severe enough, sometimes the doctor will ask for an X-ray examination of the ear to see the condition of the bones in the ear.
Treatment
Treatment of perichondritis is carried out by a general practitioner or an ear, nose and throat specialist, depending on the severity of the infection being experienced.
If there is a collection of pus on the earlobe (abscess), generally the doctor will perform an incision by making a small incision on the earlobe. This incision aims to remove the pus in it. After that, the incised area will be ‘stuffed’ with a cloth smeared with antibiotics. After all the pus has come out, on the next visit, the incision area is sewn up.
In addition, people with perichondritis will also get antibiotics to kill the bacteria that cause it. Antibiotics can be given by mouth, or you can also use an antibiotic cream that is applied to the area of the earlobe that has an infection.
If perichondritis is caused by an autoimmune disease, then treatment with corticosteroids will be given to suppress the immune disorders that occur.
If perichondritis has caused the auricle to become cauliflower, the treatment is more aimed at cosmetic improvement of the ear. Sufferers should consult a plastic surgeon regarding this matter.
Prevention
Not all cases of perichondritis can be prevented, for example, if it occurs after an accident. One of the triggers of perichondritis that can be prevented is avoiding piercing the earlobe. If you want to pierce your ears, do it on the earlobes only.