A furuncle is a Staphylococcus infection of the hair follicles that causes severe pain and tenderness in the external ear canal and pinna. Symptoms include painful ear and jaw movements, edema over the mastoid, and enlarged tender lymph nodes. Treatment involves systemic antibiotics, analgesics, local heat, and incision/drainage if an abscess forms. Recurrent furunculosis may be caused by Staphylococcus harbored in the nasal vestibule that spreads via the fingers.