Furuncle in Ear Pictures - 3 Photos & Images

A small boil (furuncle) that occurs in the ear canal can be very painful. It usually clears without treatment, but painkillers and antibiotic medicines are sometimes needed.

The main symptom is pain. This pain may become quite severe even though the boil is usually small. This is because of the location of the boil. Other symptoms may include itch, irritation and sometimes a temporary hearing loss whilst the infection is present. If the boil bursts, you may have a sudden discharge from the ear. If this happens, the pain often eases dramatically, and the symptoms soon settle.

Mostly they occur 'out of the blue' for no apparent reason. They are like most spots or small boils that can occur on any area of the skin. In some cases the infection develops on damaged skin. You can damage the skin in the ear canal if you poke your ear with such objects as a cotton wool bud. Slightly damaged skin can quickly become inflamed and infected.