Does it mean my ear piercing is infected if it hurts when touched?
Apr 12, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Gang
Introduction
Pain upon touching the ear piercing may indicate inflammation, such as otitis externa, or could be caused by conditions like furuncle of the external auditory canal or ear canal eczema, all of which require targeted treatment. Otitis externa is an ear infection caused by bacterial infection and is typically accompanied by symptoms such as pain and swelling. Therefore, pain when touching the ear piercing may be due to otitis externa.
Pain upon touching the ear piercing may indicate inflammation, such as otitis externa, or could be caused by conditions like external auditory canal boils or ear eczema, which require targeted treatment.
1. Otitis Externa
Otitis externa is an ear infection caused by bacterial infection, commonly accompanied by symptoms such as pain and swelling. Therefore, pain when touching the ear piercing may result from otitis externa. Under a doctor's guidance, medications such as hydrocortisone-neomycin ear drops, ofloxacin eye drops, or nitric acid ear drops can be used for treatment.
2. External Auditory Canal Eczema
External auditory canal eczema may be triggered by allergies and mainly presents as local itching. Thus, this symptom may occur when eczema is present. Under medical supervision, topical treatments such as zinc oxide paste, boric acid zinc oxide paste, or compound acetic acid dexamethasone cream can be applied.
3. External Auditory Canal Boil
External auditory canal boils are often caused by infections due to blocked hair follicles or sebaceous glands. The infection leads to localized pain, resulting in this condition. It is recommended to visit a hospital where a doctor can perform incision and drainage to remove pus, achieving effective treatment.
In addition to the above, damage to nerves in the external auditory canal may also cause pain upon touching the ear piercing. When symptoms appear, it is advisable to promptly seek medical evaluation and appropriate diagnostic tests.
