Red ear syndrome

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Red ear syndrome
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Erythema and pain of the ear
Complications	N/A
Onset	Any age, often in adolescence
Duration	Episodes lasting from seconds to hours
Types	N/A
Causes	Primary (idiopathic) or secondary to other conditions
Risks	Migraine, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, cervical spine disorders
Diagnosis	Clinical evaluation
Differential diagnosis	Auricular chondritis, cellulitis, erysipelas
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Medications such as gabapentin, indomethacin, or tricyclic antidepressants
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Red ear syndrome (RES) is a rare condition characterized by episodes of redness and burning pain in one or both ears. The episodes can last from a few seconds to several hours and can occur spontaneously or be triggered by various factors.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of Red ear syndrome is the sudden onset of redness and burning pain in the ear. The pain can be mild to severe and is often described as a burning or throbbing sensation. The redness is usually confined to the ear and does not spread to other parts of the body. Some individuals may also experience headaches, particularly migraines, in conjunction with the ear symptoms.

Causes

The exact cause of Red ear syndrome is not well understood. However, it is believed to be associated with several underlying conditions, including:

• Migraines
• Cluster headaches
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
• Cervical spine disorders

Diagnosis

Diagnosing Red ear syndrome can be challenging due to its rarity and the overlap of symptoms with other conditions. A thorough medical history and physical examination are essential. Additional tests, such as MRI or CT scans, may be conducted to rule out other potential causes of the symptoms.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for Red ear syndrome, and management typically focuses on addressing the underlying condition and alleviating symptoms. Treatment options may include:

• Pain management with medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or tricyclic antidepressants
• Migraine prophylaxis for individuals with migraine-associated RES
• Physical therapy for those with cervical spine disorders or TMJ
• Avoidance of known triggers

See also

• Migraine
• Cluster headache
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Temporomandibular joint disorder
• Cervical spine disorders
• Pain management

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