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What Causes Painful Swelling Behind The Ear?
Question: My 23 year old daughter woke up at midnight with her ear swollen and red and painful. She took some Benedryl, but this morning it is still swollen and painful and hurts mostly at the top of the ear. She doesn't see a bite mark. She says that before she went to bed she had a dime sized know below her ear that hurt (maybe Lymph node) When she woke up to check her 4 month old son and her ear was swollen.
Brief Answer:
could be infectious
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
since she had a swollen lymph node, an infection is likely. Infection of the auricle requires immediate action so visiting an ENT doctor is recommended. Other less likely causes include various inflammatory disorders like dermatitis (some of them improve with antihistamines like benadryl), autoimmune disorders (like relapsing polychondritis), etc. An infection is even more likely if she had pierced her ears higher than the lobule or a local infection was active (like external otitis).
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!
could be infectious
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
since she had a swollen lymph node, an infection is likely. Infection of the auricle requires immediate action so visiting an ENT doctor is recommended. Other less likely causes include various inflammatory disorders like dermatitis (some of them improve with antihistamines like benadryl), autoimmune disorders (like relapsing polychondritis), etc. An infection is even more likely if she had pierced her ears higher than the lobule or a local infection was active (like external otitis).
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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