 [ Symptoms ] scratched my ear opening with a fingernail a few days ago now it is 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 is been hurting more and more to the point where now it is this achy pain and really hurts touchinglaying on it hurts and my jawtemple around it were sore when i woke up today it looked a little red around the opening and i could not tell if what was in the ear was earwax or not i am not sure if i should go see the doctor or if it will go away [ Disease ] i am not sure either since i can not see or examine you as a matter of fact you can not 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