Symptoms and treatment of herpes on the outside of the ear and inside the auricle. Symptoms, causes and treatment of herpes in the ears, on the earlobe or in the auricle: pathogenesis, symptoms and recipes Herpes in the ear than to cauterize

- already written-rewritten about him. But this did not reduce the problems associated with this disease, and it did not become easier for readers who are familiar with this disease firsthand.

Especially when it comes to such a disease as herpes in the ear.

Causes of herpes in the ear

It is worth immediately reminding the reader that "the guy is unscrupulous" - this means that after infection, he can be in any part of the human body and from there, if favorable conditions arise for him, he can hit any organ of the patient "liked" him.

On what basis he chooses them - it's hard to say. However, there are a number of common causes, eliminating which you can avoid these extremely unpleasant problems.

These include:

1. Colds, general prolonged hypothermia of the body - these negative circumstances are the root cause of the "awakening" of the activity of the herpes virus.
2. But not only low temperatures provoke the occurrence of this disease. As it may not seem surprising, but the sultry southern sun, which “roasted” an insatiable vacationer, can completely ruin a further vacation, “planting” herpes on a person’s auricle. The same disservice can be provided by. In a word, there should be a measure in everything.
3. Endless psychological stress and constant nervous stress exhaust and exhaust the human body. Believe me - this is a direct way to ensure that such a hated sore appears on your ears for a long time.
4. A woman needs to take care of her body very carefully during pregnancy. This is understandable, because during this period she devotes a significant part of her energy to creating a new life, while significantly weakening her immune structure.
5. Turning once again to the woman, it is worth telling her that you should protect yourself from various contacts with possible sick and unfavorable living conditions. Active reproductive processes occurring during this period in her body significantly exhaust resistance to various diseases, which is the herpes virus.
6. Sexual intercourse in violation of elementary sanitary etiquette can provide a bubble not only behind the ear, but also on a more delicate part of the body - an ulcer in the most intimate place is almost guaranteed to you. Therefore, you should not play extreme with your own health.
7. Communication with a sick person, a carrier of this virus, as well as previous illnesses that have weakened your immune structure, can provoke herpes to attack your body.
8. The ally of this evil sore and your enemies are bad habits that you do not want or cannot get rid of - these are alcohol, tobacco and drugs. A simpler way to destroy immunity by a person has not yet been invented.

Video from an expert:

Symptoms of herpetic eruptions

Knowing the first signs (symptoms) of the manifestation of the disease, it is possible and necessary to start treatment in a timely manner, thereby ensuring a less painful course of these processes.

The main signs of the disease:

Diagnostic methods

As soon as you have fixed some of the above symptoms, immediately go to for a consultation. Only an otolaryngologist, relying on modern tools, can correctly diagnose the disease.

It is timely and correct that can prevent further complications, the most severe of which is damage to the facial nerve.

Doctors tend to divide the course of herpes into three:

Herpes of the middle ear

1. First stage. It is characterized by the appearance of a rash on the outer surface of the auricle, the presence of minor pain inside the ear. It is not uncommon for herpes on the ears to be accompanied by sprinkling of the oral cavity.
2. Second stage. Here, an extensive lesion is visually ascertained not only of the outer and inner parts of the ear, but also of various parts of the face.
3. The third, most difficult stage. At this stage, a violation of the functioning of the muscles of the face responsible for facial expressions, the presence of an abundant rash both in the depth of the auditory canal and on the tympanic membrane itself are clearly visible.

Treatment strategy

Given the stages of the course of the disease, which were mentioned above, the doctor prescribes treatment.

For the use of medications for various purposes:

1. - This , .
2. Ointments, creams, balms for external treatment of affected areas of the skin - Gervirax and, lemon and eucalyptus essential oils.
3. Medicines that strengthen the patient's immunity - Reaferon and Leukinferon. These same drugs will be very useful for pre-emption.
4. Painkillers. The doctor prescribes the dosage and type of analgesic based on the severity of the disease and the age of the patient.
5. . This extreme but extremely effective measure of therapy is prescribed by doctors when the disease has affected other organs besides the ear.

Do not neglect the age-old experience of traditional medicine. , chamomile ointment - these unpretentious dosage forms will significantly ease the suffering of the patient, especially if it is a child.

Possible Complications

The most dangerous complication that can occur as a result of ear herpes is neuritis of the facial nerve.

As a result of the inflammatory process, the muscles of one of the parts of the face are damaged, which manifests itself in paresis (decrease) or paralysis (complete absence) of the facial functions of the muscles.

In moral terms, the patient experiences significant suffering, because his face takes on completely asymmetric forms.

In addition to this complication, the further development of concomitant diseases is not excluded, due to the complex (frontal) suppression of the patient's immunity.

Starting in the ear, herpes can continue its "annexation" to the back of the head, neck and face in the form of painful profuse rashes.

Preventive measures

I would like to finish the article on a positive note, because it is less expensive than treatment and a more effective and healthy pastime than a depressed mood in the course of the fight against the disease.

1. Healthy and active lifestyle. What's new here? That's right - nothing! It remains only to start its daily implementation.
2. , supplying the body with the whole complex of useful ingredients.
3. Down with bad habits - this is an axiom that does not need proof.
4. Introduce a cult or, if you like, a dictatorship of sanitation and hygiene on the territory of your apartment or house. In this case, such dictatorship is only beneficial.
5. Do not overcool or "overcook" the body, which can equally "wake up" the herpes virus.
6. Do not refuse frequent visits to the otolaryngologist - this is exactly the case when you will definitely not be hit in the nose or in the ear for asking, and the benefits of visiting will certainly be.

The main thing is not to start the disease and do not self-medicate. Herpes is exactly the disease, the insidiousness of which lies in the subsequent complications.

Herpes in the ear is considered a rare manifestation of the disease. Most often found in people with immunodeficiency and pathologies of the nervous system. Herpes infection has different symptoms and severity. Specific rashes in the auricle most often appear in the cold season, during epidemics of influenza and SARS.

Currently, there are several reasons that contribute to the activation of herpesvirus. The main one is the incorrect treatment of the disease during the primary infection, when the rashes were localized on other areas of the skin. Herpes of the ear occurs with prolonged active life of the causative agent of the infection and the absence of treatment. If during the past exacerbation and lips, you should not be surprised if they appear on the skin of the ears. The disease progresses, the number of pathogenic microorganisms is growing, rashes cover more and more areas.

The main causes of herpes in the ears are chronic otitis media and improper ear hygiene.

No less common causes are bad habits (smoking or alcohol abuse). In the autumn-winter time, herpes on the ears may appear. At the same time, the risk of its occurrence increases with chronic otitis media or purulent lesions of the nasopharynx. The rash usually spreads to the nose and ears at the same time. Bubble rashes on the skin often appear during periods of pregnancy, stress, or when hormonal levels change. In such cases, immunity is reduced, and the body cannot resist viruses and bacteria. In women, a herpes infection often flares up a few days before and during menstruation.

Whatever the reason, the occurrence of specific rashes in the auricles indicates that the infectious agent has been present in the body for a long time. The disease becomes chronic, so during periods of exacerbation it can manifest itself in the most unexpected places. If left untreated, dangerous complications can develop.

Clinical picture of the disease

In the prodromal period, itching occurs on the earlobe and in the ear canal, which is of high intensity. The skin swells and turns red, when touched, the patient feels a sharp pain. In the future, bubbles filled with transparent contents begin to form. During the primary infection, symptoms of intoxication of the body may appear: general weakness, fever, headache, runny nose, aching muscles and joints. on the ear has less pronounced manifestations.

When the vesicles are opened, erosions remain, in the absence of treatment, rashes appear on the lobe, affect the scalp. The rash is constantly wet, over time everything becomes covered with a brown crust. The virus enters healthy skin, the infection covers more and more areas. Again there is severe pain and unbearable itching. Puffiness can have different intensity. In severe cases of the disease, it spreads to half of the face. Herpes in the ears contributes to hearing loss.

After the appearance of such symptoms, you should consult a dermatologist. An experienced doctor makes a preliminary diagnosis after examination. In severe infections, a detailed examination is required. An MRI of the brain is used, and its type is determined.

Caused by a virus called herpes zoster. After entering the body, it settles in the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve. The rash affects not only the auricles, but also the external auditory canal. The appearance of blisters is accompanied by severe pain, which distinguishes shingles from infections caused by the herpes simplex virus. A few days after the onset of the disease, the rashes are covered with a dense, bumpy crust, after which small deep scars remain on the skin. In the absence of concomitant diseases, after a few weeks, the symptoms of herpes zoster disappear, the patient recovers completely.

With herpes in the ears, hearing loss is often observed.

With improper treatment, herpes in the ear, caused, contributes to the development of severe lesions. The main signs of complicated shingles: widespread herpetic rashes on the auricles; sharp pain radiating to the back of the head, forehead and neck. On the affected side, a few days after the appearance of the rash, paresis of the facial muscles occurs. With herpes zoster, the auditory ossicles are affected, because of which the patient begins to hear worse and experience problems with the vestibular apparatus. The recovery period can take many months. Only a doctor can tell you exactly what to do if there is a cold in the ear, how to treat this disease.

Therapeutic activities

Herpetic infection, localized in the auditory canal, is dangerous to human health. Treatment should be under the supervision of a specialist. After the first sign of the disease appeared - itching, it is necessary to start antiviral therapy. Most often, Acyclovir is used to eliminate herpes infections. If the disease continues to progress, the treatment regimen will include intramuscular and intravenous injections of antiviral drugs. The best results are obtained by the use of modern drugs: Acyclovir and Remantadine. The course of treatment takes 2 weeks, in some cases it is extended up to 21 days. It is necessary to take drugs until the symptoms of the disease disappear completely.

Herpes of the ear occurs with prolonged active life of the causative agent of the infection and the absence of treatment.

Antiviral ointments are used to treat the affected areas. They are applied to clean skin 3-4 times a day. After the convergence of the brown crust, new skin should appear. In some cases, lemon or eucalyptus oil is used to eliminate the symptoms of herpes. A cotton swab is soaked with this agent and inserted into the ear canal. The procedure lasts 3 hours, after which the lotion is replaced.

To normalize hearing with herpes in the ears, Prozerin is prescribed.

The standard therapeutic regimen includes taking immunostimulants containing interferon. To eliminate discomfort, painkillers are prescribed. The normalization of hearing is facilitated by the intake of Prozerin and Dibazol. Further therapy is aimed at eliminating the consequences of herpes behind the ear.

Disease prevention means following the rules. First of all, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle. Moderate physical activity, walks in the fresh air are useful. Compliance plays an important role. The immune system requires proteins, vitamins and minerals to function properly. The diet should include fresh vegetables and fruits, meat, fish, dairy products. Bad habits must be abandoned. Smoking and alcoholism are the main causes of reduced immunity. After visiting public places, it is recommended to wash your hands with soap and water. If this is not possible, it is recommended to use an antiseptic solution. Do not allow overheating or hypothermia of the body. The appearance of symptoms of herpes should be reported to the attending physician. If the disease is rarely exacerbated, the use of external agents is sufficient.

More on this topic:

Herpes is a common viral disease that can affect any part of the human body. For the most part, it is localized on the lips and genitals. Rarely, but there may be herpes in the ear, which is caused by damage to the facial nerve.

Description of pathology

Herpes in the ear is a rare disease. The provocateur of development becomes, as a rule, the herpes virus of the third type - Herpes zoster. Both women and men are equally affected by the disease. Main routes of transmission:

• contact;
• airborne;
• vertical.

If you do not touch the affected area with your hands and do not comb it, then the symptoms are harmless, unless you take into account the unpleasant tiring sensations.

Causes

The human body is a single, balanced and interconnected system. If there is a general weakening of the body or its individual organs are affected, then the possibility of penetration of pathogenic viruses into the blood increases significantly.

Among the main causes contributing to the development of the disease, there are:

1. hypothermia organism. This factor acts as a provocateur of the manifestation of many pathologies, including herpes.
2. Period pregnancy. At this time, the female body is significantly weakened, which is facilitated by the processes taking place in it. A weakened immune system allows many viruses to enter.
3. nervous exhaustion. Stressful situations lead to increased heart rate and disruption of metabolic processes.
4. Overheat under the influence of sunlight or in the sauna. High temperatures disrupt the functioning of the immune and nervous systems, against which the body weakens.
5. Unprotected genital contacts.
6. Menstrual a cycle in which the internal processes of the reproductive system undergo changes.
7. Direct contact with a person who is a carrier of the virus.
8. Abuse drugs and alcoholic products, which disrupts the normal functioning of internal organs.

The virus can enter the bloodstream through the skin or mucous membranes. The manifestation of the first signs of the disease indicates its penetration to the nerve endings.

Symptoms

A simple form of herpetic lesions of the ear shell is characterized by a rash, the localization of which is the edge of the auricle, the lobe or the area of ​​​​the external passage.

At the same time, rashes will appear on the lips and on the nose. The aggravation of the pathology is facilitated by the fatigue of the body, a weak immune system and the presence of a viral infection.

Among the first signs are:

• change colors skin cover;
• drying out bubbles throughout the day.

Depending on how the healing will take place, the formation of brown crusts can be observed on the wounds, which, when falling off, do not leave scars in the affected areas. The disease is characterized by a rapid course. In rare cases, it can lead to the development of complications, such as hearing loss.

Herpes zoster is characterized by the presence of a zoster infection in the body, the location of which is the facial nerve. Rashes begin to form not only from the outside, but also from the inside of the ear.

The formation of wounds is accompanied by sharp pains. When dried, a dense, bumpy crust forms on their surface. After it falls off, small depressions are formed on the ear - scars.

If the treatment of herpes in the ear is not started in a timely manner, then the pathology can lead to the development of a severe form of the disease, which is accompanied by such signs as:

• severe pain;
• profuse rash;
• paralysis of mimic muscles, a few days after the formation of ulcers.

Herpes zoster causes damage to the middle and inner ear, which is accompanied by hearing loss and impaired functioning of the vestibular apparatus. Recovery usually takes at least a year.

Already one day after infection with the virus, the following symptoms will appear:

• general deterioration of well-being;
• headaches;
• increase in body temperature;
• constant dizziness;
• violation of coordination of movement;
• redness of the ear and tip of the nose;
• puffiness passing to the face;
• scratching the formed blisters, which have a rough surface;
• severe itching and soreness of the rash.

Rarely, when the manifestation of herpes is observed on the lobe and behind the ear. With timely treatment, the development of complications can be avoided.

The reactivation of the virus is accompanied by the appearance of a characteristic irritation, which manifests itself in the form of bubbles that look like acne. In no case should they be crushed, especially with bare hands. Any inflammatory process goes through three stages until it disappears:

1. bubbles swell and filled with liquid. The process is accompanied by itching, which is recommended not to be taken into account, or to use special ointments to suppress the symptom. The course of this stage is observed for about 2 days.
2. Overflow. There is a bursting of the bubbles and the release of a sticky liquid that has a yellowish tint.
3. Healing. Over the course of three days, the wounds heal and a brown crust forms on their surface. It is also not recommended to touch it, since a recovery process is underway under it. Over time, it will fall off on its own.

With an advanced form of herpes in the ear, blisters can also appear inside the passage. This is quite dangerous for health and can lead to unpleasant consequences.

Diagnostics

If you have at least one of the symptoms described above, you should immediately seek medical help. An otolaryngologist deals with the problems of ear diseases. The specialist will conduct a general examination, taking into account both the external signs of infection and the existing pathogenic symptoms.

Sometimes, in order to conduct a more accurate diagnosis, it is required to take a scraping from the newly formed blisters.

With high-quality and timely diagnosis of pathology, the possibility of preventing damage to the facial nerve, the manifestation of complications and concomitant diseases significantly increases.

Treatment

Therapy of ear herpes should be dealt with only by a specialist in this field. Otherwise, you can only harm the health of the body. The treatment process must be constantly adjusted, based on the results obtained. Therapeutic measures consist in carrying out several stages that require strict adherence to the sequence.

First of all, it is better to completely isolate a patient diagnosed with ear herpes, since he is already a carrier of a pathological virus, and when a healthy person comes into contact with him, there is a high probability of infection.

In addition, it is better if the patient is provided with bed rest and complete rest. Physical activity will not lead to the desired result.

Based on the results of the examination, the patient is prescribed medications of several groups. This is:

• painkillers- their action is aimed at stopping pain symptoms, which allows the body to gain strength necessary to fight the disease;
• antiviral- Acyclovir is especially popular and effective. No less effective are analogues such as Famciclovir, Tromantadine. Means of this group are prescribed based on contraindications and individual characteristics of the body. Duration of admission is about 14 days. In some cases, the course can be extended until all accompanying pathology signs disappear;
• for recovery hearing and nerve fibers are prescribed Dibazol or Prozerin.

To improve the patient's well-being, non-steroidal antiviral drugs can also be prescribed: Analgin, Aspirin, Naproxen. Paracetamol is used only if there is a high body temperature or for the purpose of temporary relief of pain.

Special ointments are no less effective:

• The most popular cream Zovirax, it must be applied to the affected areas in the ear area at least four times a day. The duration of therapy is about one and a half weeks. To achieve the greatest possible effect, it is necessary to start using the drug at an early stage in the development of pathology.
• It is possible to apply such ointments, like Tromantadine or Valaciclovir. They are also recommended to be applied to the skin up to six times a day.
• Can be used to treat breakouts essential oils that have drying and bactericidal properties.

Simultaneously with drug treatment, vitamin complexes are prescribed, which helps to restore and strengthen a weakened immune system. Among the drugs of this action, Reaferon, Leukinferon and Isoprinosine are also distinguished.

An important role in the treatment of ear herpes is played by the observance of a proper diet. For the period of treatment, it is necessary to consume foods rich in various useful microelements and vitamins.

An approximate diet is developed by a specialist. The patient can only apply methods for its adjustment, selecting products based on their taste preferences. It is important to remember that the exception is carbohydrate, fatty and junk food.

If you follow all the recommendations prescribed by the doctor, you can achieve an improvement in well-being in a short period of time. In just two days, the patient has an improvement in well-being. However, stopping treatment immediately is not recommended.

A weakened immune system takes much longer to recover. Therefore, in order to completely defeat the virus, it is necessary to continue the main therapy for at least another seven days after the skin symptoms disappear.

Possible Complications

In case of untimely, incorrect treatment or its complete absence, the risk of developing serious complications increases. Among the most common specialists noted the following:

• paresis of the facial nerve;
• the manifestation of concomitant pathologies as a result of a decrease in immunity;
• pain in the ear of a neurological nature, which are accompanied by severe rashes affecting the face, back of the head and neck.

Such changes are called Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, for which the characters are incessant pain in the body, constant dizziness and impaired coordination of movement.

Prevention

To prevent the development of such a pathology as herpes in the ear, it is necessary not to neglect some simple rules, which are as follows:

1. It is important to carry on all the time healthy Lifestyle. Walk more and be outdoors more often. This will greatly strengthen the immune system.
2. Nutrition should be correct. In order to work properly and perform a protective function, the body needs a constant supply of vitamins, proteins and trace elements.
3. Before eating vegetables and fruits, it is recommended to wash and subject to heat treatment.
4. It is better if bad habits are forever forgotten. Alcoholic beverages and nicotine in the first place adversely affect the human immune system.
5. Always follow the rules of personal hygiene. Hands should be washed with soap as often as possible. In the absence of such an opportunity, you can use antiseptic agents, for example, Miramistin or Chlorhexidine.
6. Temperature indoors should be maintained at a comfortable level. In winter, it is important not to expose the body to hypothermia, and in the summer - overheating.

With the manifestation of the first signs and suspicion of ear herpes, you should immediately contact a specialist for a complete examination and passage of a therapeutic course.

People who are prone to pathology should know what herpes is and what symptoms it manifests. If you do not seek help from a doctor in time or start trying to get rid of the disease on your own, this can only lead to its further progression, which can result in complete hearing loss.

Everyone knows the usual location of herpes - usually this. Fortunately, few people know that a herpes infection can also affect: the mucous membranes of the genital organs, and even the ears.

There are several herpes viruses, however, they are all characterized by the fact that they remain in the carrier's body for life: this disease cannot be completely cured.

Normal immunity and a healthy lifestyle allow you not to remember the "creeping disease" for many years.

Chronic infectious diseases, a decrease in the body's natural defenses, stressful situations, hormonal disruptions (including pregnancy and), the presence of autoimmune diseases allow the infection to "raise its head" - to manifest itself in the form of blisters.

herpes in the ear- a rather rare occurrence, and if you find it, you need to think about what weakened your immunity.

The herpes virus lives in the nerve endings, and thanks to it it can “get up” to the lips, nose, eyelids, auricle, and even.

The location on the ear is uncommon, and people do not expect to meet the manifestations of this infection in such a place, so they often cannot independently determine the disease.

You should carefully consider the appearance of an unusual "sore" in the ear, ask someone to carefully examine it.

You should not touch it - each drop of liquid from the herpes vesicle contains a huge amount of active virus, and the examiner can easily "transplant" the virus to his mucous membranes.

If you suspect herpes, contact an otolaryngologist.

herpes behind the ear photo

Signs of herpes in the ear

If you have herpetic eruptions in the ear area, then before that you have already encountered manifestations of this disease on the lips.

Pain in case of ear damage repeats unpleasant symptoms when located on the mucous lips.

Stages of development of herpes rash on the ear:

• itching is felt, redness is noticeable;
• small sores (vesicles) appear;
• the surface is rough to the touch, the sore consists of many bubbles with a clear liquid;
• gradually the bubbles burst, the sore becomes wet;
• the sore dries up, a crust forms.

It is not for nothing that the disease is called “creeping”: having appeared at one point, the bubbles can spread, capturing even the area behind the ear (usually under the hair).

In parallel with the development of the focus of infection, edema can be observed, gradually capturing not only the ear, but also part of the face.

Swelling can cause temporary hearing loss. Depending on the type of herpes that caused the outbreak, the pain can be mild or severe.

Herpes on the ears can recur repeatedly, and its “place of deployment” is usually repeated: for example, once it has appeared on the external auditory canal of the left ear, it will choose this place to start at the next exacerbation.

Diagnostics

The symptoms of herpes are quite obvious to a specialist, and therefore the doctor usually draws a conclusion based on clinical signs.

Additionally, scraping, MRI examination (if there is a suspicion of a serious lesion of the inner ear) may be prescribed.

Causes of the disease

In total, 8 herpes viruses found in humans were found.

The cause of rashes in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe auricle can be (the one that causes the "cold on the lips"), and (it is also the cause of chickenpox and a more serious disease - shingles).

Infection with the first type of herpes simplex is assumed to be up to 100% of the world's population, and if it caused a sore in the ear, the disease will proceed quite easily.

Vesicles will be with you for no more than 7 days (with a large focus of rashes - up to 2 weeks). Bubbles are concentrated on the edge of the auricle, the outer edge of the auditory canal.

At the same time, bubbles can also “jump up” on the lips or.

If the outbreak was the cause of the infection, then the virus attacked the crank ganglion (ganglion) of the facial nerve.

This condition is called geniculate ganglionitis. It “shoots” in the ear: the pain with such a lesion is severe, it can radiate to the face or back of the head,.

Vesicles are localized on the external auditory canal, on the eardrum, and may also be in the palate.

The duration of the uncomplicated form is several weeks. Numbness of the facial muscles, dizziness, tinnitus may be felt.

Complications from the herpes zoster virus in the ear can be very serious. One of the possible complications is Hunt's syndrome, which causes headache and ear pain, facial paralysis.

herpes in ear photo

Treatment

Treatment for herpes in the ear is prescribed depending on the type of virus that caused it.

For the treatment of HSV-1, local antiviral agents are usually used with acyclovir in the base, or with a substance replacing it ("", "", "Vovirax", "", "Panavir" and many others).

Local funds are applied in accordance with the instructions, 5-6 times a day.

To reduce unpleasant symptoms, in parallel with the use of these drugs, folk remedies can be used: treatment or a swab with oils of lemon, eucalyptus, patchouli.

Such tampons should be done in between the use of local antiviral agents.

If there is an assumption that the outbreak was caused by a decrease in immunity, interferons may be prescribed. A vitamin diet, a course of multivitamins, and taking vitamin B group are shown.

If the cause of the vesicles is herpes zoster, the treatment methods described above are applied.

Also, the doctor prescribes additional medicines: usually these are antiviral drugs inside (acquilovir, more effective valaciclovir).

To relieve pain symptoms, you can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs based on aspirin, ibuprofen.

If ear damage has led to hearing loss, this condition is corrected. Medicines "Prozerin", "Dibazol" and the like can be prescribed, which treat the affected facial nerve.

At the first symptoms of herpes in the ear, even if it is assumed that the rash is caused by HSV-1, it is mandatory for pregnant women and nursing mothers, children, the elderly, cancer patients and people with confirmed HIV, since these groups of people have the highest risk the development of complications.

Unfortunately, such an unpleasant disease as herpes can occur anywhere, in any part of the body. It looks like a blistering rash, which most often appears on the lips or genitals. The appearance of rashes in the ear or near it is associated, as a rule, with damage to the facial nerve by the herpes virus.

There are two types of the presented disease:

1. ordinary - it is also called herpes simplex in the ear;
2. girdle - localized in the outer ear.

Below, each type of pathology is described in more detail. Each of the presented types should be treated exclusively by a doctor. Otherwise, there may be complications in the form of serious hearing problems.

Herpes simplex

In this case, the rash is usually located on the so-called extreme areas of the auricle.

Most often, this type occurs if the patient is ill with ARVI, as this reduces immunity. In the first stages, the following happens:

• skin color changes;
• bubbles appear;
• after a few days they dry up;
• the surface is covered with a crust;
• subsequently, this crust falls off, most often without any scars.

With the exception of some cases, we can talk about a very rapid course of the disease. Sometimes the affected ear can hear worse.

Shingles

In this case, the facial nerve is affected by herpesvirus type 3 or Varicella-Zoster. It touches not only the skin of the ear, but also the auricle itself from the inside. Ulcers often cause severe pain. This, first of all, distinguishes this species from the simple one.

Another difference is that the simple variety leaves almost no marks on the skin, and more pits remain from the zoster type lesion.

Possible reasons

There is a certain list of provoking factors that activate the activity of microorganisms. Thus, the disease can occur:

• if a person has a constantly unstable psycho-emotional state;
• due to overheating (excessive insolation);
• due to pregnancy;
• due to exposure to critically low temperatures (hypothermia);
• due to unprotected sexual intercourse, that is, without the use of contraceptives;
• due to contact with a person who has a similar infection;
• due to menstruation.

Symptoms and treatment

If we talk about symptoms, something like a boil forms in the ear. Sometimes it causes hearing loss, sometimes it doesn't.

For treatment, local preparations are used, which the doctor will advise. Most often, the use of Acyclovir and specially created anti-herpes creams is sufficient. Do not use Kombinil drops, because they are contraindicated in viral lesions of the ears.

Complications

If the patient sees a doctor in a timely manner, then after a couple of weeks he recovers. If not, then the virus progresses to a severe form, expressed by lesions, which are described below.

Their signs:

• herpetic rash occurs in copious amounts, on the ear and on the lobe;
• very severe pain that radiates, including in the back of the head, neck and face;
• decreased ability to hear clearly;
• sometimes paresis of the facial muscles responsible for facial expressions develops;
• the vestibular apparatus may be impaired.

Complete relief from these manifestations can occur even after a year. Therefore, it is better to contact your doctor in time than to wait until the rash goes away on its own.

Do children get herpes

Oh sure. The child may also develop ear herpes. Even in recently born children, the virus can enter the body along with the mother's blood or by contact during childbirth.

If we talk specifically about children, then infection can occur for the most insignificant reason. So to speak, against the background of imaginary well-being. This is because the child's immunity has not yet formed and therefore any virus can infect him.