OK DU medics, I've got a strange problem.

[DemoTex]

My left ear (external) and surrounding areas have been totally numb all day. I called my radiologist brother and he is perplexed. The only thing I can find that might be a cause is exposure to a pyrethroid compound (insecticide). Most of the other causes of this symptom can be easily ruled out (broken jaw, broken nose, cocaine o/d, etc). WTF?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

1. Go see a doctor. ER if you need.

[JanMichael]

2. I would see a Dr. first, but before he treats you

I would get that ear pierced...and say a ruby stud to go in it! ;)

Seriously, I don't have a clue...this is Stephanie, not Michael...

Good luck with that; keep us updated!

[uppityperson]

14. How about a tattoo around the ear?

like a really BIG paisley peace symbol, with a dolphin, and a butterfly, and a snake. or something.

[uppityperson]

21. How about something like this?

[Systematic Chaos]

3. That's way beyond the scope of any internet forum

Get thee to a doctor and find out for sure. Nobody's speculation is going to help you. :hi:

[uppityperson]

4. Might be something simple, might be something serious

Either of these could have these symptoms. Go see a health care person, ER or urgent care, like NOW!

Compression of facial nerve, absessed tooth, insecticidal poisening leading to liver damage/failure, stroke.

Something simple or something serious. Go get assessed by a health care person now.

[XanaDUer]

7. What s/he said.

Better to have it checked out.

[XanaDUer]

5. Go to a doctor, but

I get this sometimes (can hear just fine) because I slept on a firm pillow and my external auditory ear part gets numb.

:shrug:

[greatauntoftriplets]

6. Before this thread gets locked...

as all such threads get locked.

Please see a doctor. Good luck.

[growlypants]

8. Is any other part of your face numb or becoming numb??

[Big Kahuna]

9. eww.. Is it discolored in any way?

If you have no blood-flow through the region, things could start falling off.. then you'd be cursed with Van Gough's ear for music :) Worse yet, if it's a blood-clot, you could have a stroke. Trust me, my Wife is a Phamacy Tech. That's almost like being a licenced physician :p

But seriously.. have it checked out.

[havocmom]

10. Doin that Van Gogh impression again?

BUg bite?

Seriously, Mac, isn't it fairly easy for you to see a doctor? ;)

(and don't forget, pats for the lads)

[Botany]

11. I know oak trees and big bluestem ......

..... an internet blog is NOT where you go for medical advice.

Either that or kill a chicken and drain it's blood into a bucket .....
Find a tall hill or mountain which gets early sun ......
spread the blood on that eastern face and chant ....
ohwhatga siam slowly 100 times.

[Liberal In Texas]

12. Yeah, see a doc. This really isn't the proper place to get medical

advice.

As previous posts said, may be nothing, may be serious. Only a doc can tell you. The ER's in most hospitals will be open tomorrow. If it's nothing it'll give you peace of mind, if nothing else.

Good luck.

[Mr.Green93]

13. Sounds like a tumor

[Whoa_Nelly]

15. Maybe these sites can give you a clue

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/earlobe_symptoms.htm

and

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/r/raynauds_phenomenon/intro.htm

Still, a doc is who you should see.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

16. Speaking as a retired nurse, I have seen that a few times.

On a couple of occasions it was due to pressure on that side of the ear and neck during sleep, involving a nerve. Maybe you slept on a hard object that you weren't aware of that had mistakenly gotten into your bed (pencil, coin, belt buckle, etc.).

We also saw the same sort of thing from a reaction to an insect bite...some very small spiders can cause a numbing sensation even when it is hard to find the actual bite.

In both cases the problem should resolve itself within 24 hours. For an insect bite you might try applying a light coat of over-the-counter 1 percent cortizone cream to the ear and neck.

If there is no resolution, make an appt. with your doc in am.

[Junkdrawer]

17. Numbness on one side of the body could be stroke or T.I.A.....

(Temporary loss of blood to the brain) says my "symptoms" book. It's advice: See a doctor NOW.

[idiosyncratic]

18. Any chance you have been bitten by a tick?

Seriously. Go to a doctor. If you could have been bitten by a tick, this could be one of the symptoms of Lyme disease.

[yewberry]

19. Go see a doctor!

I have mild Bell's palsy and this happens to me sometimes.

[liberalnurse]

20. Maybe there are dental problems.

Another consideration, ...Bell's Palsy.

[Moderator]

22. Please see a medical professional.

Your local ER, "doc in the box" etc. Medical situations are best addressed, face to face, in real time, by a medical professional. Good luck, hope it's a minor and transient situation.