Furunculosis & Infected earlobe/ cartilage

Question 1

Causes

Answer 1

This is usually S. aureus infection

• of a hair follicle just inside the canal opening.

Question 2

Management

Answer 2

If pointing, incise after local or topical anaesthetic

Warmth—use hot face washer

If cellulitis or fever—di(flu)cloxacillin orally

Question 3

Perichondritis

Answer 3

Perichondritis is infection of the cartilage of the ear

characterised by severe pain of the pinna which is red, swollen and exquisitely tender.

Treatment: ciprofloxacin

Question 4

Infected earlobe

Answer 4

The cause

• is most likely a contact allergy to nickel in an earring,
• complicated by an S. aureus infection.

Management

Remove earrings

Clean the site to eliminate residual traces of nickel

Swab the site, then commence antibiotics (e.g. di(flu)cloxacillin or erythromycin)

Instruct the patient to clean the site daily, then apply the appropriate ointment

Use a ‘noble metal’ stud to keep the tract patent

Advise the use of only gold, silver or platinum studs in future