What causes pain in the right ear upon touch?

Pain upon touching the right ear may indicate auricular inflammation—for instance, auricular perichondritis. In this condition, purulent infection of the auricular cartilage leads to redness, swelling, and thickening of the ear, accompanied by a burning sensation and pain. Even light touch can cause significant discomfort.

In such cases, anti-inflammatory treatment is required. Special attention must be paid to auricular perichondritis: antibiotics must be administered in adequate doses and for a sufficient duration to prevent progression to suppurative perichondritis, which may result in severe, irreversible auricular deformity.

Another possible cause is herpes zoster oticus (auricular shingles). Some patients develop clusters of vesicles on the auricle; touching these lesions elicits sharp pain. Antiviral oral therapy is necessary, along with topical antiviral ointments for symptomatic management. Additionally, clinicians must assess for potential involvement of the facial nerve—i.e., facial palsy.

Acute otitis externa may also be responsible: diffuse erythema and edema within the external auditory canal cause marked ear pain upon touching the ear or pulling the auricle. Treatment involves systemic antibiotics and topical otic drops for anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

Acute tympanitis or acute otitis media with effusion can cause prominent tympanic membrane hyperemia, resulting in ear pain upon palpation. These conditions are often associated with hearing loss. Otoscopic examination reveals obvious tympanic membrane erythema and indistinct anatomical landmarks. Comprehensive management includes intranasal corticosteroids, mucolytics, topical otic drops, and antibiotics.

Therefore, patients experiencing ear pain should consult an otolaryngologist for a systematic, comprehensive evaluation to determine the precise diagnosis and receive appropriate, targeted treatment.