Red ear syndrome: case report and review of the literature

Red ear syndrome (RES) is characterized by the attack-like occurrence of erythema, edema and dysesthesia of one or less frequently both ears. We report the case of a 31-year-old woman with stabbing pain and marked erythema and discrete edema of one ear, existing for 4 months, occasionally accompanied by burning and local hyperhidrosis. Differential diagnoses such as perichondritis, contact dermatitis, erysipelas and other infections were ruled out. Based on her history, the clinical pattern and the unremarkable further diagnostics, we diagnosed RES. A review of the literature is included.