Patient's question:
My daughter has had recurrent inflammation in her right anterior ear fistula for more than half a year. She has taken many anti-inflammatory medications and received penicillin shots, but they haven't been effective. There is no pus discharge every day. She has been on Daxin for four days, and now new granulation tissue has grown. What should I do? Urgent, urgent, urgent!!!!！！！！！！！！！！Doctor's answer:
Hello: Preauricular fistula, also known as congenital preauricular fistula, is a remnant of the first branchial groove during embryonic development. It typically affects one side. The fistula opening is often located in front of the antitragus, and the fistula can form branches or a treelike structure. The inner surface of the fistula is lined with stratified squamous epithelium, and the lumen contains shed epithelial cells and keratin. Due to infection and putrefaction, it may discharge foul-smelling curd-like secretions. This condition is usually asymptomatic, occasionally leaking a small amount of mucus or purulent fluid when squeezed. During infection, the local area may become red, swollen, and painful, or form an abscess, with increased purulent discharge. Repeated infection and suppuration can lead to the formation of a purulent fistula or scars. Generally, asymptomatic cases do not require treatment. If infection and suppuration occur, antibiotics or sulfonamide drugs such as penicillin (80 million units per dose, intramuscular injection—note that an allergy test should be performed) or erythromycin (0.25g per dose, three times daily, oral) can be administered. If an abscess forms, it should be incised promptly to drain pus, clean and disinfect the area, and change the dressing with povidone-iodine gauze. After the redness and swelling subside and the infection is controlled, the fistula can be surgically excised. It is essential to remove the fistula completely in one operation, as residual fistula tissue can lead to recurrence, making subsequent surgery less effective.Regarding diet, it is advisable to follow a light regimen, with lean meat or fresh eggs as the main components, while avoiding seafood and shrimp.