What should you do if you have an earlobe infection?

What is an ear infection?

The word says it all, of course, but an earlobe infection is an inflammation of your earlobe. This relates to the lower, soft part of your ear. Inflammation in this area can be caused by an infection (eg caused by bacteria), an allergy, or a combination of the two. Although earlobe infections are not dangerous, they can be painful. If you touch it or, for example, if you fall asleep on your ear, you may suffer from it.

What are the symptoms?

If you have an earlobe, the earlobe is often red and swollen, and sometimes fluid or pus can ooze out. You may also experience itching and/or pain from the inflammation. Sometimes blisters and crusts can also form on the earlobe.

What can you do about it?

In principle, you don’t have to go to the doctor right away. First try to treat the infection at home by not wearing earrings for a long time and cleaning the earlobe with alcohol several times a day. This does both disinfection and cooling. If this does not help and you are experiencing the following symptoms, it is important to see a doctor:

• If a fever occurs.
• If the inflammation worsens or does not go away.
• If the infection spreads around the ear or if the lymph nodes around the ear are swollen.
• If you suspect you have a nickel allergy.

source: Human and health