Extreme outer ear pain: What can it be?

Meloxicam. Works for me. I think it is related to an auto immune disease. I had ear biopsy. Showed increased white blood cells in tissue. Dr. cited inflammation, systemic. Also, had other issues related to inflammation. Meloxicam is AMAZING. I was bedridden, prior, to this medication. Not perfect. But able to get up, now, and live my life.

saraan - is your ear red and warm? Does the condition last for days? If so, you might consider Nibor's suggestion. But my ear cartilage pain has no other symptom than pain. Usually a vague to moderate ache, but with extreme pain when touched or even moved with smiling or eyebrow lifting etc. may be gone in 30 minute to half a day. Have only had longer period of time once. But, extreme stretching of the head neck has been marvelous at clearing the problem the last few times I have tried it. Be sure to include tilting the head back while smiling broadly and maybe even rolling the eyes back in the head. Still in the experimental satge with this technique since it can be months between 'attacks'. good luck

My ear is hot, red, hurts, sometimes EXTREME pain, but only with pressure. Was only with sleeping on side, until starting Meloxicam. Also, had pain, redness, in both feet when walking, standing. Meloxicam fixed that too. Now only issues are bowel related. Chronic diahrea.

The extreme pain only happens when I am sleeping and lying down on either ear side. It never happens during the day. I though it happened because of a sinus infection many times but even after antibiotics it still happens. I take my head away from the pillow or sit up and the pain goes away. I also tried different pillows in case of an allergy but still the pain reappears. No the ear is not red. I can’t figure out why this is happening. I appreciate the input. Thanks.

Hi. I am on a pain medication and also ibuprofen and neither assist with the pain. It’s so random I wonder if anyone is ever going to be able to assist 😭

@saraann Mine is also only when sleeping on my side. I've tried lots of stuff I've found recommended on this site and others with no luck. The doctors just look at you while you describe the pain, say "huh" and move on. The last thing I tried that helps wasn't actually related to my ears, but to my hips. I ordered a shredded memory foam body pillow because I can't get the poly filled pillows to stay put between my knees when I sleep. The one I ordered has a medium amount of fill and is long enough to go between my legs and also under my head. I am able to punch out a "well" for my ear to rest over and I've had almost no ear pain with this. It works for me,so I thought I'd at least mention it. It's not a diagnosis or a cure, but at least it reduces the symptoms. It's the Milliard Body Pillow with Shredded Memory Foam (Long Pillow) if you are interested. The best $40 I've ever spent. Good luck!

Hello, I have just joined the Mayo Clinic, and hoping that someone can help me. For a long time now I have been having severe outer ear pain when I lay on them at night , it is disturbing my sleep so much, tossing from one side to the other for relief for a little while, I cannot lay on my back due to a back condition scoliosis, this is really getting me down, and continues for a while even after I get up, my doctor does not know what it is , has tried some analgesic cream, but that's not working, I have tried numerous pillow types, even an expensive hole in the middle one , with no relief, please can anyone help. I did see that someone on here had help after taking calcium with vit d, has anyone else tried this ?.

Hi, @patandpete. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm very sorry to hear you have had so much pain in your outer ear and that treatments so far have not helped.

You'll note I merged your post with this conversation, where members like @1luckytexan @saraann @gls58 @nibor63 and others have been talking about very similar experiences. Hoping they may have some insights for you on this pain you are experiencing when you lie on your ear(s) at night.

@patandpete - can you share a bit more about whether you experience this during the day at all and what the pain feels like (e.g., stinging, sharp pain, burning)?

Thank you for merging my question for help with my outer ear pain. Hard to describe what it's like, it just s real pain , which wakes me up every night and makes me toss and turn to alternate ears, yes as I sit here now it's not paining, but is tgrobbing a bit, my ear is not red .

Sorry throbbing I meant .