What are the causes of right ear external ear pain?

Under normal circumstances, pain in the right external ear may be caused by trauma, otitis externa, herpes zoster of the ear, temporomandibular joint disorder syndrome, or furuncles of the external auditory canal. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Trauma

If the ear suffers from blows, compression, or impact injuries, it may lead to damage of the skin, muscles, and cartilage of the auricle, resulting in pain. Applying an ice pack for cold compressions—10 to 20 minutes at a time, every 2 to 3 hours—can help reduce pain and swelling.

2. Otitis Externa

This condition is usually caused by bacterial infection and may also be related to fungal infection. It leads to tight adhesion between the skin and bone tissue of the external auditory canal. The ear typically becomes infected, with increased tension causing symptoms such as pain, redness, and swelling on the outer side of the ear. It is recommended to follow a doctor's instructions to use medications such as hydrocortisone cream, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride ear drops, or similar drugs to relieve symptoms.

3. Herpes Zoster of the Ear (Ramsay Hunt Syndrome)

Herpes zoster of the ear occurs when the varicella-zoster virus infects the ear. The virus lies dormant in nerve ganglia and can become reactivated when immunity decreases or upon external stimulation. Once activated, the virus replicates and invades the nerve ganglia, causing nerve inflammation and edema, leading to significant neuralgic ear pain. Under medical supervision, antiviral medications such as valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets, acyclovir tablets, or penciclovir cream may be used for treatment.

4. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Syndrome

When there is an imbalance in the bite alignment of the upper and lower teeth, unnecessary pressure may be placed on the temporomandibular joint. Over time, this can lead to pain and inflammation, which may radiate to the ear area, causing pain in the external ear. Under a doctor’s guidance, medications such as enteric-coated aspirin capsules, fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules, or glucosamine sulfate capsules may be used to alleviate symptoms.

5. Furuncle of the External Auditory Canal

This condition is commonly caused by infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Bacterial infection of the skin in the external auditory canal triggers a localized inflammatory response, leading to pain in the external ear. With medical advice, topical or oral medications such as mupirocin ointment, amoxicillin capsules, or erythromycin ointment may be used to relieve symptoms.

During treatment, patients should maintain dryness and cleanliness of the external auditory canal to promote recovery.