Furuncle in the ear

A furuncle is a tiny boil; an infection of a hair follicle in the outer ear.  It begins like a small pimple and then develops into a large local infection.

Furuncle’s can be extremely painful, any movement of the our ear or pressure on the front of the ear will make the pain intense.

You can become generally unwell as the body fights the infection.  The furuncle will develop with increasing pain until it comes to a head and bursts; often associated with instant relief.

Sometimes the discharge will run down the ear canal and cause a secondary canal infection. This will need to be removed with microsuctioning.

Pain relief is the first aim, and in some cases oral antibiotics will be prescribed.

Your doctor may also check your blood sugar levels as regularly developing boils is often the first sign of diabetes.