i am not sure either since i can't see or examine you. as a matter of fact you can't see inside your own ear either so it would be advisable for you to see a medical provider (someone who can). the most logical reason for your ear pain is an infection so you are correct. fingernails are not the cleanest part of our body so when they scratch the very sensitive skin lining of the ear canal an infection can happen. these infections can be mild and only need topical antibiotics or they can worsen and cause a deep painful infection called cellulitis.
scratched my ear opening with a fingernail a few days ago now it's really painful. infection? . i scratched the inner part of the opening to my ear with my fingernail because i was trying to get earwax off the edge about three days ago. it's been hurting more and more to the point where now it's this achy pain and really hurts. touching/laying on it hurts and my jaw/temple around it were sore when i woke up today. it looked a little red around the opening and i couldn't tell if what was in the ear was earwax or not. i'm not sure if i should go see the doctor or if it will go away?