Chondrodermatitis
What
is it?
Chondrodermatitis is an inflammation of the skin
on the upper part of the ear.
Who
gets it?
Chondrodermatitis is usually seen in white men
over the age of 40, but can occur in anyone who
applies repeated pressure to the upper part of the
ear.
What
causes it?
Chondrodermatitis can be caused by a defect in the
cartilage of the ear, trauma to the ear, or sun
damage. This form is called chondrodermatitis
nodularis chronicus helices. It can also be caused
by repeated pressure on the ear, such as by
wearing headphones or pressing a cell phone to the
ear. This is called chondrodermatitis nodularis
chronicus anthelicis. There is no cushioning layer
of tissue around the cartilage in the upper area
of the ear, so it is more likely to be damaged by
pressure.
What
are the symptoms?
People
with chondrodermatitis have painful bumps, called
nodules, on the upper part of the ear. The nodules
hurt whenever pressed, making it difficult to
sleep on the affected side. They may appear to be
a reddish-gray color, and may have a scaly or
crusty surface.
How is
it diagnosed?
Chondrodermatitis is diagnosed by its location,
appearance, and characteristic tenderness. Your
doctor will ask you about any history of sunburn
on the ear, trauma to the area, or whether you
frequently use any devices that place pressure on
the ear. He or she may wish to take a small sample
of the nodule tissue (called a biopsy) to test for
the presence of cancer, called a malignancy.
Chondrodermatitis is not malignant.
What
is the treatment?
Removing the pressure from the ear can relieve
chondrodermatitis nodularis chronicus anthelicis.
If the pressure of a cell phone or headphones
causes the inflammation, you can hold the cell
phone in such a way that it doesn’t press on the
upper part of the ear, or use a different type of
headphone that doesn’t cover the entire ear.
Chondrodermatitis often recurs. Your doctor may
recommend a number of nonsurgical treatments,
including topical corticosteroids or antibiotics
to relieve inflammation and infection, collagen or
corticosteroid injections, or cryotherapy, in
which the nodules are frozen off. In most cases,
surgical treatment is the most effective. The
nodule is completely removed, called an excision.
Self-care tips
You can
help prevent chondrodermatitis nodularis chronicus
anthelicis by avoiding placing repeated pressure
on the upper part of the ear.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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