sarah

please can you advise me i am really worried. For as long as i can remember i have had discomfort when sleeping on my right ear, it never bothered me enough to seek advice, It is the outer ear the pinna i think its called. Over the last few months i have noticed the ear looks thicker and feels much harder than my left ear.Still not too worried as it does not hurt to touch and is not red or hot. I was reading a mag last week ans an article about relapsing polychondritis really scared me as it starts with outer ear problems.I went to the docs he said i had nothing to worry about cartlidge thickens with age .Im 43.Ihave since been searching the internet and it says some docs do not no what this autoimmuine disorder is. Ihave no joint pain . Any advice would help thanks.

[Eric P Wilkinson, MD]

If you have not had any other cartilage problems, I would not be too concerned.  You could have autoimmune tests done to evaluate for any systemic inflammation.  A rheumatologist could help with this.  Relapsing polychondritis can start with the ear, but your symptoms would be somewhat atypical.

Discuss with your primary care physician a plan to evaluate you for autoimmune disorders, particularly if you have any other systemic symptoms.  

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical
advice - the information presented is for patients education only.
Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your
individual case.

[tmoruri]

A related discussion, Relapsing Polychondritis and Ulcerative Colitis was started.