What is Perichondritis

Perichondritis is an infection of the outer ear (auricle). The auricle is made of firm, flexible tissue (cartilage) that is covered by a layer of tissue (perichondrium). Infection of the perichondrium (perichondritis) causes a swollen and painful ear.

Perichondritis is treated with antibiotic medicine. If the infection is severe, your child may need surgery. Untreated perichondritis can destroy cartilage in the auricle and cause a change in the shape of the ear (deformity).

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by an ear injury that causes bleeding under the skin (hematoma). When bacteria enter the hematoma, an infection results.

What increases the risk?

Your child may be at greater risk for this condition if he or she:

• Gets a piercing in the upper ear.
• Plays contact sports.
• Has surgery that involves the auricle.
• Gets an insect bite on the ear.
• Has a burn injury on the ear.

What are the signs or symptoms?

This infection usually starts in the upper part of the auricle, but it may spread to the whole outer ear. Symptoms may include:

• Dull pain.
• Pain when touching or moving the ear.
• Swelling.
• Redness and warmth.
• Fever.
• Pus draining from the outer ear.

How is this diagnosed?

Your child’s health care provider can make this diagnosis based on your child’s medical history and a physical exam. The health care provider may take a swab of drainage from the infection and test it to determine the type of bacteria that is causing the infection.

How is this treated?

Most children take an antibiotic by mouth (orally) to treat perichondritis. A severe infection may be treated in the hospital with IV antibiotics. After the severe infection is controlled, antibiotics may be changed to oral pills or liquid.

Surgery may be needed if there is a pocket of pus (abscess) or if the infection has spread to the cartilage. Your child’s health care provider will open and drain the infected area and remove the infected cartilage.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Give your child antibiotics as told by your child’s health care provider. Do not stop giving the antibiotic even if your child starts to feel better.
• Give your child other over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• Your child can return to normal activities as told by his or her health care provider. Ask what activities are safe for your child.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child has a fever.
• Your child’s symptoms get worse or do not improve.