Understanding the Preauricular Sinus, the Small Holes Formed in the Ear - Ever see a small hole in front of the ear? This hole is called the preauricular sinus. How do preauricular sinuses form, and are these holes dangerous? Check out the following explanation.
Preauricular sinus is a small hole in front of the ear that resembles a piercing mark. Not everyone has a preauricular sinus, and this is a congenital disorder since birth ( congenital ). Nevertheless, preauricular sinus is not a condition to worry about.
The cause of the formation of a preauricular sinus is not yet known with certainty, but there are allegations that this hole was formed due to the failure of tissue union while still in the womb. Preauricular sinus hole usually only appears in one ear. In these ears, there can be only one hole, there can also be a few small holes in front of the ear.
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What Are the Symptoms of Infected Preauricular Sinus?
In many cases, the preauricular sinus hole does not cause problems. New problems will arise when the preauricular sinus hole is filled with dirt and bacteria, causing infection.This is very susceptible to occur because the preauricular sinus hole has no protective tissue, so that dirt and bacteria can quickly accumulate in it.
When a preauricular sinus is infected, the symptoms may include:
- Reddish ears.
- Swelling in and around the ear canal.
- The ear hurts.
- The preauricular sinus hole releases pus.
- Fever.
How to treat infected preauricular sinuses?
To treat infections of the preauricular sinus, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria that cause the disease.
The doctor may also drain the pus that collects in the preauricular sinus hole, with a small surgical procedure. Not only that, but the preauricular sinus hole can also be closed through a surgical procedure so that the infection does not occur again in the future.
Before determining the treatment that needs to be done, the doctor will check the condition and severity of infection in the preauricular sinus hole. If necessary, the doctor will do a CT scan or MRI test to find out possible complications in the preauricular sinus opening.
Although generally harmless and does not cause any complaints, preauricular sinuses should not be ignored. Because as explained above, the preauricular sinus hole is natural to experience an infection. Always keep it clean and consult a doctor immediately if there are signs of disease in the preauricular sinus hole.
