Ear tragus. Where is it, what is it, it hurts when pressed, inflamed, swollen, causes, treatment. Photo

Pain in the tragus ear infection, inflammatory processes that occur in the organ of hearing. However, pain is not always associated with ear disease. The ear contains different parts of the auditory organ that can be accidentally damaged, so it is important to pay attention to the discomfort and discomfort when applying pressure.

Structure and main functions

This part of the auditory organ in the form of a small outgrowth is made up of cartilaginous tissue. Although the tragus may seem like a rather useless part of the ear, it actually plays a large role in the functioning of the body as a whole. For example, the tragus is necessary for the perception and redirection of sounds that a person hears.

Each person has a cartilaginous outgrowth that differs in shape and size. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the organism. In some, the tragus is deformed from birth, which changes the appearance of the entire ear, as well as its ability to perceive sounds of different frequencies.

The main functions of this part of the organ of hearing include:

• Clarification of the localization of the audio signal.
• Increasing the ear's ability to perceive different frequencies of sound waves penetrating into it.
• Protective function. Thanks to the tragus, the ear is better protected from pathogenic microorganisms. Also, this part of the auditory organ prevents possible mechanical damage to the ear.

A small cartilaginous outgrowth (or, as it is also called outgrowth) prevents secondary bacterial lesions. For example, if a person suffers from otitis media or external ear.

The tragus allows you to timely determine the presence of ear infections and developing pathological conditions.

On the other side of the ear is the antigus. It is difficult to notice it, but this part of the auditory organ also performs important functions. Positioned opposite the tragus, the antigus provides protection against high-frequency sounds that can be directed to the person's ear from the front or from the side.

Causes of pain when pressing the tragus

Self-diagnosis of possible pathologies of the auditory organ is pressure on the tragus. Thanks to this simple palpation method, it is very easy to identify possible health problems.

Soreness in the tragus may indicate the following diseases:

• Pathology of the outer or middle ear. If we talk about the most common ENT diseases, then usually it is otitis media. In this case, when pressing on the tragus, the pain will spread to the entire auricle. Additional symptoms include itching and the appearance of small acne in the ear cavities. The cause of this pathology is most often the activity of fungi and infectious agents. The patient has a partial hearing loss, weakness, swollen lymph nodes. In a neglected situation, the body temperature may rise. Pulsating pain can also radiate to the forehead and crown.
• Limited otitis media. This pathology is characterized by inflammation in the area of ​​cartilaginous growth against the background of damage to the hair follicles. This is due to purulent-necrotic processes provoked by staphylococci. The cells of the connective and cartilaginous tissues are affected, which causes the formation of boils. If you do not take any measures for treatment, then swelling will appear.
• Diffuse otitis media. In patients with a similar diagnosis, the so-called innervation of the auricle is observed. The organ of hearing turns red, purulent or serous exudate begins to flow from the ear canals. A person constantly complains of a feeling of fullness in the ear. In the advanced stage of pathology, serious damage to the tissues of the ear canal occurs. There is a risk that the eardrum will also suffer. As a rule, this disease occurs against the background of frequent allergic reactions, the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida, an excess of earwax.
• Perichondritis. In this case, inflammation of the cartilaginous outgrowth occurs against the background of mechanical injury or frostbite of the hearing organ. With a mild form of perichondritis, patients do not experience complications or severe pain. If the pathology is neglected, then there is a risk that a deformation of the auricle will occur over time. To pre-diagnose the presence of this pathology, it is necessary to put pressure on the tragus. If, when pressed, severe throbbing pains appear, the skin around the cartilaginous outgrowth is red and swollen, then this is a sign of perichondritis.

Doctors identify several more conditions in which pressing on the cartilaginous growth in the ear can cause soreness:

• Neurological pain. Discomfort and pain can be a consequence of a defect in the development of the temporomandibular joint, problems in the area the occipital nerve or the so-called vagus nerve, which leads to the innervation of the tympanic membranes. When problems of a neurological nature arise, pain is accompanied by a strong pulsation, which can be given to the visual organs. Also, patients complain of photophobia.
• Daze piercings. Some painful sensations appear in those who have recently performed a cartilage puncture. There is also a procedure for puncturing the tragus itself. It is believed that such ear decoration can be compared to wearing earrings. However, even if the master performed the puncture using exclusively sterile instruments, it is impossible to avoid swelling and swelling of the cartilage. Such wounds heal for at least 3 months. Some people note severe discomfort and the presence of pain syndrome for six months after the puncture is performed. In the process of wound healing, it is necessary to treat the tragus three times a day with chlorhexidine. Otherwise, there is a risk of infection. The same problem can arise if the master performed the procedure in violation of hygiene standards.

The ear tragus is located in the area that is available for primary diagnosis. Often, pain in the cartilaginous outgrowth indicates various pathologies of the ENT organs. But also discomfort when pressing on the tragus appears in professional swimmers and those who are engaged in diving.

In this case, pain syndrome means that a person's pressure in the middle ear changes due to water that enters the ear canal. As a rule, this syndrome in professionals takes on a chronic form.

After each immersion in water, a kind of airlock appears in the organ of hearing. It blocks the oxygen supply. Because of this, anaerobic microorganisms begin to multiply actively.

If we are not talking about painful sensations against the background of professional activity, then the process of inflammation of the cartilage tissue must be stopped immediately. Otherwise, the lesion can become chronic, which greatly affects the quality of life.

General manifestations of inflammation

The ear tragus is located on the outer ear, which makes it easier to notice any external changes that may indicate an ear problem. Most of the pathologies differ in the nature of their occurrence, however, it is possible to distinguish the general symptomatology, which is characterized by problems with the organ of hearing.

These manifestations include the following:

• Hearing impairment. Auditory activity decreases and most patients complain that they constantly need to listen to what their interlocutors are saying, although there were no such problems before.
• Pain and discomfort in contact with the auricle and directly by the tragus itself. Patients note that even with a light touch of the cartilaginous outgrowth, severe discomfort, sharp or throbbing pain appears.
• Itching around the tragus. The areas that lead to the inner ear turn red, the person constantly scratches the ear canal. However, when trying to scratch the affected area, severe cutting pain appears, and inflammation increases.

As you can see from the listed symptoms, mostly pain appears mainly in the parotid zone. Also, pressure in the ear cavity may increase.

Pain sensations are exacerbated by eating, swallowing. If you ignore these symptoms, then the infection will spread and go to the inside of the ear. This is fraught with more serious complications, including hearing loss.

What to do if the tragus is swollen?

Ear tragus, until recently, was treated with boric alcohol. Since the cartilaginous growth is in an accessible place, it is not difficult to handle it. It was necessary to moisten a cotton swab in alcohol and install it in the ear canal.

It was believed that this method allows you to warm up the affected area well, thanks to which the patient experiences relief. Modern experts do not recommend using alcohol, as it can cause tissue burns. This only aggravates the infection and inflammation.

The best solution would be to go to the polyclinic to see a therapist who will write out a referral to an otolaryngologist. The specialist will be able to determine the type and stage of the pathology that causes pain.

If the otolaryngologist determines that the patient is suffering from limited otitis media, in this case it is necessary to open the abscess. In no case should this procedure be done on your own at home. After processing and cleaning the affected area, the doctor applies an antibacterial composition (usually in the form of drops) to it. After clearing the purulent masses, the patient feels relief.

However, in many situations, this processing alone is not enough. Strong medications are often required.

Therapies

The ear tragus is in an easily accessible place, therefore, therapeutic measures can be carried out in several ways. Most often, the doctor prescribes antibiotics for oral administration, but may also prescribe therapy using ear drops (they may also include antibacterial agents).

Antibacterial drugs

Thanks to antibiotics, the wound healing process goes much faster, inflammation is relieved. Thanks to this, the development of secondary infectious pathologies can be excluded. Also, drugs of this type are used if the patient has developed several purulent boils at once.

This is a sign of increased activity of pathogens, so it is necessary to use drugs of a stronger effect.

Antibacterial drugs can slow down the formation of bacterial proteins, respectively, this will slow down the development of more serious complications. Typically, the following medicines are used for this.

Antibiotic	Features, in which cases it is most effective
Oxacillin	The drug is used for infections caused by staphylococci. It is also effective for boils. Oxacillin relieves inflammation, itching, pain. The main component of the product is sodium oxacillin. This antibiotic is semi-synthetic penicillin.
Cefazolin	Effective against most pathogenic organisms. The drug is sold as a powder for intravenous solution. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that the doctor prescribes if there is a suspicion that the patient suffers from several types of pathologies, or it was not possible to accurately determine the causative agent of the infection.
Ampicillin	Effective against anaerobic bacteria. The tool is sold in the form of a powder, from which a suspension for oral administration is prepared. It is a semi-synthetic antibiotic that also has a broad spectrum of action. The drug is effective for infectious and inflammatory pathologies, complications.
Augmentin	The drug is a broad spectrum of action. Clavulanic acid is present as an additional component in the preparation. The tool relieves pain and most infectious diseases, including those that affect the lungs and other organs of the human body.
Amoxicillin	The drug belongs to the penicillin group, it helps to get rid of not only inflammation in the area of ​​the hearing organs, but also in the throat.

Ear drops

In this case, the active components of the drugs are used in dissolved form, due to which the agent has a faster effect directly on the inflammation focus. Before using drugs in this form of release, it is required to clean the auricles well and remove exudative crusts.

The ear tragus is in an easily accessible area, so the use of such means will not cause difficulties.

Among the most popular drugs of this form of release, it is worth highlighting:

• Garazon. The drug stops the process of inflammation, prevents the spread of bacteria to the areas of the auricle adjacent to the tragus. Promotes rapid tissue healing.
• Anauran. Combined type of local action. Drops improve wound healing, relieve swelling, redness and itching.
• Otipax. The drug not only relieves pain, but also has an antipyretic effect.
• Sofradex. The product contains antibacterial agents and a synthetic analogue of the adrenal hormone. Thanks to this, drops are considered universal. They are able to rid the patient of 90% of various pathogenic microorganisms.

Most topical drugs are also antibiotics. If we are talking about a child suffering from tragus lesions, then drugs that are delivered to the body by injection are often used. The choice of the most effective drug is made by the doctor.

There are targeted and broad-spectrum antibiotics. The latter are considered to be more powerful, so it is preferable not to use them for young children.

However, if speech and serious damage to the organ of hearing, then it is better to use more effective means. The doctor determines the dosage and type of drug based on the condition of the individual patient, age and characteristics of his health.

If the pathology is not completely cured, then there is a risk of damage to the eardrum. Against this background, hearing is greatly reduced, and its complete loss may occur.

In the treatment of hearing organs, a number of additional drugs are also used:

• Sedatives. Allergy medications help relieve puffiness.
• Antifungal drugs. Means of this type are prescribed if the inflammation has appeared due to the presence of a fungus in the ear canal.
• Anti-inflammatory and pain relievers. These drugs include Nurofen, Diclofenac. These drugs do not belong to the category of antibiotics, so they can only relieve some of the symptoms in order to alleviate the patient's condition.
• Vitamins. Since in any inflammatory process, the body's immune system works stronger, drugs are required that will improve the body's protective functions. Therefore, the doctor may prescribe nutritional supplements and vitamin complexes.

Tragus massage

Massage is a good complementary treatment option. Such procedures are performed in combination with drug therapy. Tragus massage can be done at home.

The treatment procedure is as follows:

1. First, you need to pull the patient's earlobe, lift it up and then down.
2. The next step is to tap the tragus very lightly with your fingertips.
3. Next, you need to close the ear canal with your palm and remove your hand. This step must be repeated several times.
4. After that, it is necessary to slightly pinch the skin surrounding the ear tragus.
5. At the final stage, you need to grasp the patient's auricle with your palm and begin to gently move it, first clockwise, and then against it.

This can be done throughout the day if you experience ear pain. However, in the case of severe inflammation, do not irritate the skin once again by tapping and tingling. This can worsen the patient's condition. Massage can only be performed after visiting a doctor who will allow such therapeutic measures to be carried out.

With inflammation of the ear tragus, the appearance of pain syndrome, various pathologies of the hearing organs can be diagnosed. Since the cartilaginous growth is in the visible area, a person can easily notice any changes in it. If he is swollen, reddened and itchy, then you should see a doctor and get diagnosed.

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