Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Born With Hole In Ear, Pus-filled, Swollen, Painful. What Is Going On?
Question: There is a hole by (what I believe to be the crus of helix) based on the diagrams online. I was born with a hole where people might normally get a piercing. In the past there has been puss upon squeezing the area. The puss is smelly like rotten fishy. The color ranges from liquid to pale yellow to mustard yellow. It has not hurt in the past but in the last few days, I have squeezed out a lot of puss and the area is noticeably swollen and I'm in slight discomfort. The area around it is swollen and hurts when I place medium pressure on the area. What is going on? I can provide a photo (of both my ears) if it's necessary.
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for posting your query and uploading the images.
It seems like you are probably having a congenital preauricular sinus. It does cause intermittent drainage of pus like material from it.
The present symptoms of pus, pain, swelling and discomfort suggest that it is secondarily infected.
What you require now is a swab culture of the draining material from the sinus to look for the causative organism. Depending on the growth and antibiotic susceptibility, you may be started on a course of complete antibiotic.
I would suggest you to consult an ENT specialist regarding this and discuss the treatment options.
Surgical removal of the sinus tract is the permanent treatment for preauricular sinus.
You can send me the picture, if you can. You have a feature to upload the reports / image by yourself at the right side of the query page, please utilize it.
I hope to have answered your query.
Get well soon.
Regards,
Thanks for posting your query and uploading the images.
It seems like you are probably having a congenital preauricular sinus. It does cause intermittent drainage of pus like material from it.
The present symptoms of pus, pain, swelling and discomfort suggest that it is secondarily infected.
What you require now is a swab culture of the draining material from the sinus to look for the causative organism. Depending on the growth and antibiotic susceptibility, you may be started on a course of complete antibiotic.
I would suggest you to consult an ENT specialist regarding this and discuss the treatment options.
Surgical removal of the sinus tract is the permanent treatment for preauricular sinus.
You can send me the picture, if you can. You have a feature to upload the reports / image by yourself at the right side of the query page, please utilize it.
I hope to have answered your query.
Get well soon.
Regards,
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
