Could it be frostbite?

How do you know if you might have a slight case of frostbite? I work outside in the wind and sub-zero temps all the time and while most of the time my ears are covered, for the last few days my ear (not an ear infection) has been hurting and feels a little swollen. Could it be frostbite or is it more likely to be something else?

Registered Nurse here; First let me share with you there are several stages of frost bite. Sounds as if you could have a mild frostbite. For next few days be sure and keep your ears warm, covered, place warm clothes on the outside of your ears. Not hot, this will gradually assist in bringing the feeling in them back to normal. From your description it sounds like a wind blister, which chaps the skin to the point it's painful and may become swollen. Just make sure you take extra measures to protect your ears when out in such frigid winter weather. Follow this advice you should be find. If you notice any change in color, feel, or swelling increases, seek medical attention at your nearest emergency room.

Please check out the link I have given.

My dad had frostbite in his fingertips. He worked outside for many years, working on deisel trucks/18-wheelers. His fingertips had a numb, tingling feeling in them and one or two, he couldn't feel at all. If you have feeling in your earlobes, then it's not frostbite, but something else, perhaps a blind pimple or something.

i dont think you can feel frostbitten flesh (because its dead).

if you can feel your ear, then its fine. The cold might have irritated your ear and made it hurt and swollen (like when your fingers get cold, they hurt and get a little swollen).

Frost bite will first appear as a burn like area. It will be reddened, painful and somewhat swollen.
If you work outside in the cold, you need to have a hat on that covers your ears. You lose a large portion of your heat through your head and you don't want to lose part of your ears to frostbite.