Why is my ear itchy and swollen all of a sudden?

Red, Swollen, itchy outer ear?! HELP!?

• Two days ago the top, outer part of my left ear suddenly became swollen, VERY itch, so red that it almost looked purple and the skin was scaly. Something like that happened before to me a few months ago, but it went away over night. But this time the problem still persists. Last night I went to the ER and they said it might've been a bug bite and I was having an allergic reaction and gave me some Benadryl and a steroid shot. The swelling and redness calmed down a bit, but it's still obviously red and itchy and the skin is still scaly. Been taking Benadryl all day and it has not helped. I have no idea what do about this. Should I make a doctor's appointment and see what's wrong? This is happened before like I said, but has never lasted this long or been this severe. :/ Anyone have a clue on what it could've been? I walked into a theater two days ago and my ear was fine. When I walked out is when I noticed that it had become swollen or red. I was leaning my head against the seats and arm rests, could I have caught something from that?

• Answer:

  Hi, Although I think the problem is 'most-likely' long and or short term allergic reactions to 'something' COMBINED WITH a weakened lymph liver kidney and immune systems - IF the following symptoms would ever occur - I think the worst it might possibly be is deadly bacterial meningitis. The two quotes below are from: <> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacterial_Meningitis <> <> “IF a rash is present, it may indicate a particular cause of meningitis; for instance, meningitis caused by meningococcal bacteria may be accompanied by a characteristic rash.” <> <> “The MOST common symptoms of meningitis are headache and neck stiffness associated with fever, confusion or altered consciousness, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate light (photophobia) or loud noises (phonophobia). SOMETIMES, especially in small children, only nonspecific symptoms may be present, such as irritability and drowsiness.” <> For further details see: <> http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/about/faq.html <> <><> For further information on itch rash illnesses and for long term solutions TO THEM ALL - the following link has considerable info within a ‘report’ I recently posted: <> http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091113104039AAbnGet <> I truly hope what you learn will help you to decide on the correct choices that will remedy your painful malady in the future. My best to you and yours, AI – self taught nutritionIsT ><+>[(-:]