Chondrodermatitis Helicis - Treatment and Symptoms

Chondrodermatitis helicis, is a common type of skin disorder but it may be dangerous to avoid it. It is a painful nodule of the ear, It more often affects middle-aged or older men and can be difficult to treat. There are no associated systemic disorders with this condition. It was first described by Winkler in 1915, and it is also known as Winkler k disease. (1) The lesion usually occurs in men older than 50 years; the male-to-female ratio is 10:1. (1) The lesions are discrete, grey to red in color, oval shaped with raised rolled edges, and a central ulcer or depression which often contains a crust or scale. The lesion is typically painful and tender and, for this reason, the patient seeks help shortly after the onset of symptoms. The characteristic histopathologic features are epithelial hyperplasia, collagen degeneration, focal fibrinoid necrosis, and inflammatory components. Clinically, the lesion is misdiagnosed in the majority of instances and is presumably, therefore, treated inappropriately. It should be stressed that this is a benign condition and initial management should be aimed at conservative therapy with local steroid injection or conservative non-deforming surgery. Wide excision, including removal of the underlying cartilage with appropriate reconstrictive closure should be reserved for the conservative treatment failures.

Treatment of Chondrodermatitis Helicis

For treating Chondrodermatitis Helicis we can use :

1) Topical antibiotics may relieve pain caused by secondary infections

2) Intralesional steroids also may be effective in relieving discomfort.

3) Cryotherapy also has been used as a treatment modality

Some other types of treatment for Chondrodermatitis Helicis are available are :

• cortisone ointments
• Cortisone injections
• Surgery

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