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Ivy Maina, MD

Specialty in Otolaryngology

Dr. Maina graduated from Princeton University (BA, 2013) with a degree in psychology and received her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. She is currently a resident physician in Otolaryngology at the University of Pennsylvania affiliated hospitals. After graduating from Princeton, she spent a year researching embryonic gene expression with the Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health at UPenn. She also received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to study abnormal innate immune responses and taste-related genes in chronic sinus infections. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, listening to podcasts, and finding new DIY décor projects.

Education and training

2019-Present - Otolaryngology Residency, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA

2014-2019 - Doctor of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

2009-2013 - Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Princeton University, Princeton University

Certifications

Resident Physician in Otolaryngology at the University of Pennsylvania hospitals.

Researcher of embryonic gene expression, the Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health at UPenn.

Articles from Ivy Maina, MD

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Swelling Behind the Ears Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Swelling behind the ear is most commonly caused by swollen lymph nodes or an ear infection caused by bacteria, fungus or a virus. Most individuals with swollen glands behind the ear may also be experiencing pain behind the ear or headaches. Most of the time, if the swelling happens gradually over time and is not particularly bothersome, it will resolve on its own and we recommend a few home treatments below. But if accompanied by fever, pain, or worsening redness, seek an ENT doctor.

What’s Causing Your Earache?

Earache is pain in the inner or outer ear that may interfere with your hearing. Injuries and infections can cause earache. Infections of the ear can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Children are most likely to have ear pain from infections.

Painless Thigh Lump: Top Causes

Finding a painless thigh lump can be concerning, however most lump on the thigh are caused by non cancerous fatty tissue growth, also known as lipoma, or skin conditions like warts, cysts, or abscess. Swollen lymph nodes may also cause painless lumps on the inner thigh.

Rib Pain on Both Sides Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Rib pain on both sides can be caused by inflammation of the cartilage known as acute costochondritis (chest wall syndrome), atypical chest pain, or normal occurrence of chest pain. Read on below for more information on causes and relief options.

Painful Lump in One Side of the Groin Symptoms & Causes

A painful lump in the groin in females and males, specifically located on one side, is most likely caused by an enlarged lymph node, a skin infection like an skin abscess or cyst, an infected ingrown hair on the groin, or a symptom of a sexually transmitted infection. Read below for associated symptoms, other causes, and treatment options for your painful lump on one side of the groin.

Foot Redness Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Foot redness is usually caused by skin infections or fungal infections. The most common type of infections that cause red spots on feet are athlete's foot and cellulitis. Read below for more information on causes and treatment options for foot redness.

Painful Thigh Lump: Causes

A painful bump or lump on the thigh can also appear red, small or large, and often be located on the inner thigh. Most commonly, bumps on the inner thigh are caused by infected ingrown hairs, boils, cysts, or a swollen lymph node. Other causes include trauma to the thigh or abnormal cell growth like lipoma.

TMJ Dysfunction Disorder

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your joint to your skull. TMJ dysfunction disorder (TMD) causes pain and discomfort in your jaw, face, or neck. It can also cause your jaw to click, pop, or feel stiff. TMD can be constant or come and go.

Numbness in One Foot Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Numbness and tingling in one foot can be commonly caused by nerve damage that can lead to sciatica, tarsal tunnel syndrome, or a fibular nerve injury. Read below for more information on causes of numbness in one foot and how to find relief.

Causes of Hard Scalp Bumps

Finding a hard scalp bump may be concerning, but in most cases, it’s not serious. Some causes could be a skin condition, injury, infection, or abnormal cell growth.

Swelling Behind the Ears Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Swelling behind the ear is most commonly caused by swollen lymph nodes or an ear infection caused by bacteria, fungus or a virus. Most individuals with swollen glands behind the ear may also be experiencing pain behind the ear or headaches. Most of the time, if the swelling happens gradually over time and is not particularly bothersome, it will resolve on its own and we recommend a few home treatments below. But if accompanied by fever, pain, or worsening redness, seek an ENT doctor.

What’s Causing Your Earache?

Earache is pain in the inner or outer ear that may interfere with your hearing. Injuries and infections can cause earache. Infections of the ear can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Children are most likely to have ear pain from infections.

Painless Thigh Lump: Top Causes

Finding a painless thigh lump can be concerning, however most lump on the thigh are caused by non cancerous fatty tissue growth, also known as lipoma, or skin conditions like warts, cysts, or abscess. Swollen lymph nodes may also cause painless lumps on the inner thigh.

Rib Pain on Both Sides Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Rib pain on both sides can be caused by inflammation of the cartilage known as acute costochondritis (chest wall syndrome), atypical chest pain, or normal occurrence of chest pain. Read on below for more information on causes and relief options.

Painful Lump in One Side of the Groin Symptoms & Causes

A painful lump in the groin in females and males, specifically located on one side, is most likely caused by an enlarged lymph node, a skin infection like an skin abscess or cyst, an infected ingrown hair on the groin, or a symptom of a sexually transmitted infection. Read below for associated symptoms, other causes, and treatment options for your painful lump on one side of the groin.

Foot Redness Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Foot redness is usually caused by skin infections or fungal infections. The most common type of infections that cause red spots on feet are athlete's foot and cellulitis. Read below for more information on causes and treatment options for foot redness.

Painful Thigh Lump: Causes

A painful bump or lump on the thigh can also appear red, small or large, and often be located on the inner thigh. Most commonly, bumps on the inner thigh are caused by infected ingrown hairs, boils, cysts, or a swollen lymph node. Other causes include trauma to the thigh or abnormal cell growth like lipoma.

TMJ Dysfunction Disorder

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your joint to your skull. TMJ dysfunction disorder (TMD) causes pain and discomfort in your jaw, face, or neck. It can also cause your jaw to click, pop, or feel stiff. TMD can be constant or come and go.

Numbness in One Foot Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Numbness and tingling in one foot can be commonly caused by nerve damage that can lead to sciatica, tarsal tunnel syndrome, or a fibular nerve injury. Read below for more information on causes of numbness in one foot and how to find relief.

Causes of Hard Scalp Bumps

Finding a hard scalp bump may be concerning, but in most cases, it’s not serious. Some causes could be a skin condition, injury, infection, or abnormal cell growth.

Swelling Behind the Ears Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Swelling behind the ear is most commonly caused by swollen lymph nodes or an ear infection caused by bacteria, fungus or a virus. Most individuals with swollen glands behind the ear may also be experiencing pain behind the ear or headaches. Most of the time, if the swelling happens gradually over time and is not particularly bothersome, it will resolve on its own and we recommend a few home treatments below. But if accompanied by fever, pain, or worsening redness, seek an ENT doctor.

What’s Causing Your Earache?

Earache is pain in the inner or outer ear that may interfere with your hearing. Injuries and infections can cause earache. Infections of the ear can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Children are most likely to have ear pain from infections.

Painless Thigh Lump: Top Causes

Finding a painless thigh lump can be concerning, however most lump on the thigh are caused by non cancerous fatty tissue growth, also known as lipoma, or skin conditions like warts, cysts, or abscess. Swollen lymph nodes may also cause painless lumps on the inner thigh.

Rib Pain on Both Sides Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Rib pain on both sides can be caused by inflammation of the cartilage known as acute costochondritis (chest wall syndrome), atypical chest pain, or normal occurrence of chest pain. Read on below for more information on causes and relief options.

Painful Lump in One Side of the Groin Symptoms & Causes

A painful lump in the groin in females and males, specifically located on one side, is most likely caused by an enlarged lymph node, a skin infection like an skin abscess or cyst, an infected ingrown hair on the groin, or a symptom of a sexually transmitted infection. Read below for associated symptoms, other causes, and treatment options for your painful lump on one side of the groin.

Foot Redness Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Foot redness is usually caused by skin infections or fungal infections. The most common type of infections that cause red spots on feet are athlete's foot and cellulitis. Read below for more information on causes and treatment options for foot redness.

Painful Thigh Lump: Causes

A painful bump or lump on the thigh can also appear red, small or large, and often be located on the inner thigh. Most commonly, bumps on the inner thigh are caused by infected ingrown hairs, boils, cysts, or a swollen lymph node. Other causes include trauma to the thigh or abnormal cell growth like lipoma.

TMJ Dysfunction Disorder

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your joint to your skull. TMJ dysfunction disorder (TMD) causes pain and discomfort in your jaw, face, or neck. It can also cause your jaw to click, pop, or feel stiff. TMD can be constant or come and go.

Numbness in One Foot Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Numbness and tingling in one foot can be commonly caused by nerve damage that can lead to sciatica, tarsal tunnel syndrome, or a fibular nerve injury. Read below for more information on causes of numbness in one foot and how to find relief.

Causes of Hard Scalp Bumps

Finding a hard scalp bump may be concerning, but in most cases, it’s not serious. Some causes could be a skin condition, injury, infection, or abnormal cell growth.

Publication Highlights

To View all of Dr. Maina's articles, visit this page.

Workman AD, Maina IW, Brooks SG, et al. The Role of Quinine-Responsive Taste Receptor Family 2 in Airway Immune Defense and Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Front Immunol. 2018;9:624. Published 2018 Mar 28. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.00624

Patel, NN, Kohanski, MA, Maina, IW, et al. Solitary chemosensory cells producing interleukin‐25 and group‐2 innate lymphoid cells are enriched in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2018; 8: 900– 906. DOI: 10.1002/alr.22142

Patel, NN, Kohanski, MA, Maina, IW, et al. Sentinels at the wall: epithelial‐derived cytokines serve as triggers of upper airway type 2 inflammation. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019; 9: 93– 99. DOI: 10.1002/alr.22206

Maina IW, Workman AD, Cohen NA. The role of bitter and sweet taste receptors in upper airway innate immunity: Recent advances and future directions. World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;4(3):200–208. Published 2018 Aug 24. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2018.07.003