A bout of pain next to the ear may be associated with causes such as shingles next to the ear, boils next to the ear and trigeminal neuralgia.
1. Herpes zoster next to the ear: If the varicella-zoster virus infects the skin next to the ear, the virus distributes along the unilaterally innervated area, irritating the local skin and nerves and producing bouts of pain.
2. Boils next to the ear: If the skin next to the ear is infected by Staphylococcus aureus and forms a boil, the causative organism invades the follicular opening and causes severe pain. During the pus-filled period, the pain gradually decreases and may turn into paroxysmal pain.
3. Trigeminal neuralgia: Trigeminal nerve is distributed in the frontal head, upper jaw and lower jaw. When the trigeminal nerve is compressed by blood vessels or tumors, trigeminal nerve dysfunction can be caused, and a burst of pain can occur in the area innervated by the trigeminal nerve, including next to the ear.
There may be other reasons for a bout of pain next to the ear, so be sure to go to a regular hospital to find out the cause of the problem and actively cooperate with your professional doctor.