Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCauses and TriggersTreatmentCopingDiagnosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes and Triggers
Treatment
Coping
Diagnosis
Red ear syndrome (RES) is a very rare disorder. It causes redness with moderate to severe burning on the outside of one or both ears.
An episode of red ear syndrome can occur without a known cause or due to triggers such as rubbing your ear. Heat or cold stimulation or brushing your hair can also start the problem.
This article describes red ear syndrome, its symptoms, causes, and diagnosis. It also explains treatment and ways to cope with this problem.
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Symptoms of Red Ear Syndrome
Symptoms of red ear syndrome vary. Episodes can be unilateral (one-sided), bilateral (two-sided), or alternating, though the problem most often affects just one ear. In unilateral red ear syndrome, the left ear is more likely to be involved.
Symptoms of red ear syndrome include:
Causes and RES Triggers
While there is no known cause for red ear syndrome, there are some theories.Dysfunction of yourcentral nervous systemas well asperipheral nervous systemhas been suggested.
RES can be classified into primary RES and secondary RES. Primary RES has the following features:
Secondary RES is more common in older women without a history of migraine.It occurs in association with any of the following conditions:
Some evidence also links red ear syndrome withmultiple sclerosis, though its association with the disease requires further research.
Triggers
Symptoms can occur spontaneously or as a result of the following RES triggers:
Ear Complications in COVID-19COVID-19 has been linked with ear and hearing effects such as pain, hearing loss,tinnitus(ringing in the ear), otitis media (middle ear infection), andvertigo(a spinning sensation). While some of these effects may be linked to ear pain and redness, the onset of red ear syndrome is not noted.It is inconclusive whether these other ear effects originate from the COVID-19 virus, its treatments, or the vaccinations used to prevent it.
Ear Complications in COVID-19
COVID-19 has been linked with ear and hearing effects such as pain, hearing loss,tinnitus(ringing in the ear), otitis media (middle ear infection), andvertigo(a spinning sensation). While some of these effects may be linked to ear pain and redness, the onset of red ear syndrome is not noted.It is inconclusive whether these other ear effects originate from the COVID-19 virus, its treatments, or the vaccinations used to prevent it.
COVID-19 has been linked with ear and hearing effects such as pain, hearing loss,tinnitus(ringing in the ear), otitis media (middle ear infection), andvertigo(a spinning sensation). While some of these effects may be linked to ear pain and redness, the onset of red ear syndrome is not noted.
It is inconclusive whether these other ear effects originate from the COVID-19 virus, its treatments, or the vaccinations used to prevent it.
Treatment to Manage RES
The response to treatment for RES is variable. General nondrug therapies can reduce symptoms. Strategies for managing RES without drugs include:
Living With Red Ear Syndrome
Living with red ear syndrome can be challenging. The burning and pain can be severe, making daily activities difficult for people who live with this long term.
Identifying and avoiding your known triggers can help you reduce the frequency and severity of episodes. Managing an underlying condition, such as migraine, can also help you reduce the number of episodes you experience.
Talk to your healthcare provider aboutsupport groupsthat might be helpful as you learn how to live with this problem. It’s unlikely that you’ll find a support group specifically for red ear syndrome, but you may find support from people managing similar symptoms, such as the following groups:
Who Diagnoses RES?
Diagnosing red ear syndrome is challenging for any healthcare provider since it is a relatively unknown and rarely encountered condition. It was first described in 1994. Due to the rarity of the disease, research is limited.
The differential diagnosis for red ear syndrome includes ear, nose, and throat (otolaryngological) disorders and skin (dermatological) diseases. Some of these conditions include:
Conditions related to your brain and skull must be ruled out before a diagnosis of red ear syndrome is made.Your provider may requiremagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)of your cervical spine and brain to rule out these conditions. An orthodontic assessment of your temporomandibular joints may be needed to rule out TMJ disorder.
The following diagnostic criteria for primary red ear syndrome have been proposed, though further research is needed to determine the variables that can be involved:
Summary
Red ear syndrome is a rare condition that is likely underreported. Its main feature involves red and throbbing outer ears. The problem can occur in one ear, both ears, or be alternating.
While the exact cause of red ear syndrome is not known, it has been linked to migraines or other conditions like TMJ disorder. Red ear syndrome does not involve complications, but it can be a sign of another condition that needs treatment.
Further research is needed so healthcare providers can understand the causes and best ways to treat this condition. Though there is no cure for red ear syndrome, getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment can help you manage symptoms and cope with the chronic nature of this problem.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.De Amorim IL, Kauppila LA, Martins IP.Red ear: syndrome or symptom?Headache. 2018;58(6):885-891. doi:10.1111/head.13333Garbayo-Salmons P, Expósito-Serrano V, Ribera Pibernat M.[translated article] Red ear: a poorly understood syndrome.Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2022;113:TS23-TS25. doi:10.1016/j.ad.2022.10.023DermNet.Red ear syndrome.Sigdel B, Pokhrel A.Idiopathic red ear syndrome: a rare case report.Clin Case Rep. 2022;11;10(3):e05564. doi:10.1002/ccr3.5564Patel I, Desai D, Desai S.Red ear syndrome: case series and review of a less recognized headache disorder.Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology. 2020;23(5):715. doi:10.4103/aian.AIAN_1_20Mathew T, Marol R, Manjusha T, et al. 2019.Red ear syndrome preceding multiple sclerosis: a novel correlation.Res J Neuro NDisord. 1: 01-04. doi:10.36811/rjnnd.2019.110001D’Amico A, Galati C, Manzo, ML, Reina F, et. al.Red ear syndrome in children: review of literature and report of three cases.International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 2021;142:110615. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.110615Gabr T, Kotait M, Moaty AS.Audiovestibular and vaccination complications of COVID-19.Egypt J Otolaryngol. 2022;38(1):105. doi:10.1186/s43163-022-00290-2
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.De Amorim IL, Kauppila LA, Martins IP.Red ear: syndrome or symptom?Headache. 2018;58(6):885-891. doi:10.1111/head.13333Garbayo-Salmons P, Expósito-Serrano V, Ribera Pibernat M.[translated article] Red ear: a poorly understood syndrome.Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2022;113:TS23-TS25. doi:10.1016/j.ad.2022.10.023DermNet.Red ear syndrome.Sigdel B, Pokhrel A.Idiopathic red ear syndrome: a rare case report.Clin Case Rep. 2022;11;10(3):e05564. doi:10.1002/ccr3.5564Patel I, Desai D, Desai S.Red ear syndrome: case series and review of a less recognized headache disorder.Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology. 2020;23(5):715. doi:10.4103/aian.AIAN_1_20Mathew T, Marol R, Manjusha T, et al. 2019.Red ear syndrome preceding multiple sclerosis: a novel correlation.Res J Neuro NDisord. 1: 01-04. doi:10.36811/rjnnd.2019.110001D’Amico A, Galati C, Manzo, ML, Reina F, et. al.Red ear syndrome in children: review of literature and report of three cases.International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 2021;142:110615. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.110615Gabr T, Kotait M, Moaty AS.Audiovestibular and vaccination complications of COVID-19.Egypt J Otolaryngol. 2022;38(1):105. doi:10.1186/s43163-022-00290-2
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
De Amorim IL, Kauppila LA, Martins IP.Red ear: syndrome or symptom?Headache. 2018;58(6):885-891. doi:10.1111/head.13333Garbayo-Salmons P, Expósito-Serrano V, Ribera Pibernat M.[translated article] Red ear: a poorly understood syndrome.Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2022;113:TS23-TS25. doi:10.1016/j.ad.2022.10.023DermNet.Red ear syndrome.Sigdel B, Pokhrel A.Idiopathic red ear syndrome: a rare case report.Clin Case Rep. 2022;11;10(3):e05564. doi:10.1002/ccr3.5564Patel I, Desai D, Desai S.Red ear syndrome: case series and review of a less recognized headache disorder.Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology. 2020;23(5):715. doi:10.4103/aian.AIAN_1_20Mathew T, Marol R, Manjusha T, et al. 2019.Red ear syndrome preceding multiple sclerosis: a novel correlation.Res J Neuro NDisord. 1: 01-04. doi:10.36811/rjnnd.2019.110001D’Amico A, Galati C, Manzo, ML, Reina F, et. al.Red ear syndrome in children: review of literature and report of three cases.International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 2021;142:110615. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.110615Gabr T, Kotait M, Moaty AS.Audiovestibular and vaccination complications of COVID-19.Egypt J Otolaryngol. 2022;38(1):105. doi:10.1186/s43163-022-00290-2
De Amorim IL, Kauppila LA, Martins IP.Red ear: syndrome or symptom?Headache. 2018;58(6):885-891. doi:10.1111/head.13333
Garbayo-Salmons P, Expósito-Serrano V, Ribera Pibernat M.[translated article] Red ear: a poorly understood syndrome.Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2022;113:TS23-TS25. doi:10.1016/j.ad.2022.10.023
DermNet.Red ear syndrome.
Sigdel B, Pokhrel A.Idiopathic red ear syndrome: a rare case report.Clin Case Rep. 2022;11;10(3):e05564. doi:10.1002/ccr3.5564
Patel I, Desai D, Desai S.Red ear syndrome: case series and review of a less recognized headache disorder.Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology. 2020;23(5):715. doi:10.4103/aian.AIAN_1_20
Mathew T, Marol R, Manjusha T, et al. 2019.Red ear syndrome preceding multiple sclerosis: a novel correlation.Res J Neuro NDisord. 1: 01-04. doi:10.36811/rjnnd.2019.110001
D’Amico A, Galati C, Manzo, ML, Reina F, et. al.Red ear syndrome in children: review of literature and report of three cases.International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 2021;142:110615. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.110615
Gabr T, Kotait M, Moaty AS.Audiovestibular and vaccination complications of COVID-19.Egypt J Otolaryngol. 2022;38(1):105. doi:10.1186/s43163-022-00290-2
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