A swollen earlobe can be painful, reddened and uncomfortable. The usual causes of the swelling include allergies, infection and trauma. Although most cases of earlobe injuries can be managed with over-the-counter medications and home remedies, a doctor must be seen if the symptoms are severe.
Common causes of swollen earlobe
There are various causes for a swollen earlobe with their own symptoms.
Piercing
This is the usual cause of a swollen earlobe. It can be accompanied by a certain degree of pain and swelling at the time of the piercing that settles in a few days.
The swelling might be due to a piercing rejection or an infected piercing. If the pain and swelling persists, a doctor must be seen.
Allergic reaction
An allergic reaction to certain types of jewelry can trigger a swollen earlobe. In most cases, the nickel present in earrings can trigger swelling and inflammation.
Injuries
Any form of trauma to the earlobe can result to swelling. Asid
e from the swelling, the earlobe might be sore and painful.
Hematoma auris
Hematoma auris or cauliflower ear is an external deformity of the ear. It can develop after an ear injury, usually among those who engage in contact sports such as martial arts, wrestling and boxing.
Mastoiditis
This is an infection of the mastoid bone within the inner ear. The condition can trigger other symptom such as ear pain, headache, fever, hearing loss and drainage from the affected ear.
Infection
An outer ear infection can develop especially among children 7-12 years old who frequently swim.
Insect bites
Insect bites on the earlobe can result to itchiness and a swollen earlobe.
Management of a swollen earlobe
Various measures can be used to manage a swollen earlobe, but treatment is based on the root cause.
Remedies to reduce the swelling can be used. An ice pack can be applied to reduce the blood flow to the site. For pain relief, an over-the-counter pain medication can be given.
Disclaimer / More Information
The information posted on this page on a swollen earlobe is for learning and educational purposes only. To learn more about the causes, register for first aid training at one of our training centers located throughout Canada. The training centers are in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Saskatoon, Victoria, Surrey, Mississauga, Winnipeg, Red Deer, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax.