The outer ear is made up of cartilage. The thin layer of tissue surrounding the cartilage is called perichondrium. Perichondritis is infection of the skin and tissues surrounding the cartilage of the ear. Initially, ear cartilage infection appears like a skin infection.

Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsils, two lymphatic tissues found in the throat. Tonsils protect the body from infection but often become problematic, especially for children. A recurrent sore throat, ear infection or difficulty breathing leads many Americans to have their tonsils removed.

Adult ear infections are not common. When they occur, it is because fluid is trapped behind the eardrum in an area called the middle ear. This fluid causes painful pressure, the main symptom of an ear infection.

The medicinal powers of garlic have been used by herbalists for centuries. This flavorful culinary herb is used to enhance overall health as well as to treat specific ailments such as sinus infections, sore throats, yeast infections and earaches.

Hot tubs are a magnet for young children, but they can also pose significant safety risks. Like pools and other bodies of water, drowning is the most serious hazard. Small bodies can quickly overheat in the spa water, and hot tubs can also be a source of infection and injury.

A child who is ill with an infection likely needs a fair amount of rest and sleep to help her recover fully. However, it is often difficult to sleep when the infection is accompanied by uncomfortable or painful symptoms such as earache, sore throat, coughing and congestion.

Acne commonly affects the faces and ears of infants. This condition typically does not need treatment -- it usually resolves on its own within a few weeks. If your baby continues to have acne past this point, contact your pediatrician.

Stretching your earlobe may mean having to deal with an infection. Dr.

Ear infections, also called otitis media, can become severe and cause distress, particularly in infants and children. Infants are more susceptible to ear infections because their auditory canals are more horizontal compared to older children and adults, and this leads to trapped fluids in the ear.

Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause an infection known as salmonellosis. In many cases, the infection is mild, causing gastrointestinal distress. However, some cases require immediate treatment with antibiotics. Foods made with ingredients from animal sources, such as eggs, can contain salmonella.

Sometimes, the virus that causes ear infections in babies infects the gut. This leads to symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. In other cases, an ear infection temporarily affects a baby's ability to balance properly, and one side effect is vomiting and general sickness.

While ear infections are a well-known ailment, particularly in children, middle ear infections tend to get the most attention. However, inner ear infections are more common in adults, and because of the functions of the inner ear, infections in this area have the potential to significantly impact hearing and balance.