Redness, swelling, or pain in the external ear or behind the ear
Redness, swelling, or pain in the external ear or behind the ear
Occasionally an ear infection will involve the ear canal and surrounding tissues more than the space behind the eardrum (middle ear). There may be redness and swelling on the outside of the ear.
Infection in the bone behind the ear (mastoiditis) is a rare problem that may be associated with an ear infection. Symptoms of mastoiditis may develop 10 to 14 days after an ear infection and include:
- Redness and swelling on the outside of the ear.
- Pain behind the ear.
- Fever.
- Drainage from the ear.
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology |
| Last Updated | February 13, 2008 |
| Last updated: | February 13, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Reviewed By: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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