Perichondritis is infection of the tissue surrounding the cartilage of the earlobe (pinna), ear canal, or both.

Injury, burns, insect bites, ear piercing, or a boil on the ear may cause perichondritis. The infection also tends to occur in people whose immune system is weakened and in people who have diabetes. The first symptoms are redness, pain, and swelling of the earlobe. The person may have a fever. Pus accumulates between the cartilage and the layer of connective tissue around it (perichondrium). Sometimes the pus cuts off the blood supply to the cartilage, destroying it and leading eventually to a deformed ear. Although destructive and long-lasting, perichondritis tends to cause only mild discomfort.

A doctor makes an incision to drain the pus, allowing blood to reach the cartilage again. Antibiotics are given by mouth for milder infections and by vein for severe infections. The choice of antibiotic depends on how severe the infection is and which bacteria are causing it.

Last full review/revision July 2008 by Eiji Yanagisawa, MD