– Some things you should know about this condition.
– What are its causes as well as its symptoms?
Perichondritis refers to an infection of the tissue covering the cartilage of the external part of the ear called the auricle (pinna). It is an infection of the skin and tissue surrounding the cartilage of the outer ear.
It is also the inflammation of the perichondrium which is the layer of fibrous connective tissues surrounding the cartilage developing the bone.
However, it is necessary to note that perichondritis can lead to chondritis, which refers to an infection of the cartilage itself.
When we refer to the cartilage, the cartilage means the thick tissue that creates the shape of the nose and the outer ear.
One important thing to note about them is that every cartilage has a thin layer of tissue around it that we refer to as the perichondrium.
This infection of the tissue surrounding the cartilage always has a number of risk factors that can cause it.
Some of the major causes of this infection include the following;
1. Pseudomonas aeruginosin, which is the name of the bacteria that causes perichondritis.
2. Injury in the ear resulting from insect bites, burns etc can also cause it.
3. Ear surgery is another cause.
4. When you pierce your ear, especially the cartilage, it can also result in this infection.
There are also symptoms that accompany this infection, some of them include;
- Redness, swelling and perhaps the itching of the auricle.
- Pain in that part will also occur.
- Fever is also another symptom of this infection.
- Pus may also accumulate between the cartilage and the layer of connective tissue around it. (perichondrium).
- Temporal hearing loss or deformed hearing, etc.
The major ways to treat this condition include;
1. The use of over-the-counter pain reliefs.
2. The use of antibiotics.
3. Removal of foreign objects from the ear.
4. Also, if there is a trapped collection of pus, you may need surgery to drain this fluid and remove any dead skin and cartilage.