Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Helicis - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Home Remedies

What is Chondrodermatitis helicis

Chondrodermatitis helicis is a common skin disease. Chondrodermatitis helicis is a condition in which small, painful bumps are found on the borders or elevations of the ears. Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Helicis (in Latin chondro-cartilage, dermatitis-skin, nodule-bump) is a common painful inflammatory small scaly nodule or a spot on an area of the ear. It occurs on the helix of the ear. Repeated serious injuries and sun exposures are the areas that are most affecting from this disease. It mainly occurs in the people who sleep on only one side. Some other causes include cold, pressure due to tight headgear or a telephone headset and it can result into small skin colored or slightly reddish bumps on the upper layer of the ear, bringing necrobiotic changes within the collagen and eosinophilic degenerative changes within the underlying cartilage.

Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Helicis is also known as CNH, Winkler disease, painful ear nodule, painful auricular nodule. It can also lead to the diseases such as diabetes mellitus and connective tissue disorders, and also a certain type of skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma). Chondrodermatitis Helicis is most commonly seen in the middle-aged or older males. It was discovered by Winkler in 1915. It more often affects middle-aged or older men and can be difficult to treat.

Causes of Chondrodermatitis helicis

• sleeping on the side of the involved ear.
• pressure,
• cold,
• actinic damage, and
• repeated trauma

Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Helicis Treatment and Home Remedies

• A headset with a bath sponge having a central hole is commonly recommended to relief the pain and to prevent pressure on affected area.
• Chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis (CNCH) is usually treated by surgical excision, but is prone to recurrence. Cortisone injections can also be used to treat chondrodermatitis helicis.
• Sleeping on both sides is considered as the best treatment.
• Collagen injections such as triamcinolone or corticosteroids as creams pr injections may be preferred to reduce inflammation.
• Antibiotic ointment if it is resulting into an ulcer may be prescribed to prevent the infection.
• A Cryotherapy, in which liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the affected area, is another best method to cure the disease.
• Surgical excision, if other treatments fail, may be prescribed in some cases to remove the affected skin.