include skin cancers due to sun exposure
Traumatic auricular hematoma must be drained to prevent significant cosmetic deformity (cauliflower ear) or canal blockage resulting from dissolution of supporting cartilage
Similarly, cellulitis of the auricle must be treated promptly to prevent perichondritis and resultant deformity
Relapsing polychondritis is characterized by recurrent, frequently bilateral, painful episodes of auricular erythema and edema and sometimes progressive involvement of the cartilaginous tracheobronchial tree

Treatment

with corticosteroids may help forestall cartilage dissolution
Polychondritis and perichondritis may be differentiated from cellulitis by sparing of involvement of the lobule, which does not contain cartilage