Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesPimples in Parts of the EarPopping a PimpleHome RemediesWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Pimples in Parts of the Ear
Popping a Pimple
Home Remedies
When to See a Provider
A pimple in or behind your ear can cause pain due to the structure of the ear, with its bony cartilage and narrow ear passages. Earwax, bacteria from your earbuds, jewelry, or even infrequent washing of parts of the ear can lead to pimples in the hard-to-accessear canalor the outer ear.
The skin in your ears has pores that can get blocked due to the build-up of body oils, sweat, and dead skin cells. The formation of apustule(pus-filled pocket) can cause swelling and redness. Popping the pimple isn’t usually advised, and it typically goes away on its own. But good skin care and other measures, like using benzoyl peroxide or antibiotic creams, can help.
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When a comedo forms, the substances within the blocked pore can become a hotbed for bacteria likeStaphylococcus aureusandCutibacterium acnes. The bacterial infection leads to the formation of a pimple.
Causes of acne include:
Increased hormonal activity (such as during puberty or menstrual cycles) that causes sebaceous glands to produce more sebum also can lead to pimples.
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Pimples in Different Parts of the Ear
Pimples can appear on various parts of the ear. These areas include pimples that affect:
Pimples can sometimes infiltrate deeper tissues and cause nodules (hardened lumps) and cysts (closed, sac-like pockets of tissue). Both can cause significant and permanent scarring. There are different types of acne associated with nodules and cysts:
These types of acne are more likely to affect the earlobe. In some cases, the blockage of an ear pore can extend into thesebaceous filament. This is the channel through which sebum flows to the surface of the skin.
Over time, this can cause the pore to widen and the contents to form a tube-like plug that is hard to remove.
Dirty earbuds or other objects that are close to your ear canal including your smartphone, your fingers, and hearing aids, can introduce the bacteria that can contribute to a breakout.Pimple-like lesions can also develop on the ear lobes or cartilage when an ear piercing becomes infected.It’s important to periodically clean all objects that come into regular contact with your ears.
Is It Okay to Pop an Ear Pimple?
Never attempt to pop a pimple in your ear.Let it resolve on its own if it is not causing too much discomfort. Pimples in the ear are not as accessible as those on your face, neck, or chest, which means you may end up damaging the ear canal if you attempt to reach in with your fingers or a tool.
Popping a pimplecan also push the contents deeper into the pore. Additionally:
If you see a healthcare provider about your pimple, they can evaluate treatment options and they make steps to extract it.
Never place any tool or instrument into your ear. Doing so can easily rupture tissues or puncture thetympanum(eardrum).
Rather than popping an ear pimple, try some simple home remedies or over-the-counter topical creams or ointments designed to get rid of acne and prevent future outbreaks. They include:
Before applying any topical ointment or cream to your ear, test some on a small area of skin and wait 24 hours to ensure it does not cause irritation or anallergic reaction.
How Long Does It Take for Ear Pimples to Go Away?If left alone, most ear pimples go away within a few days to a week. If you try to squeeze or pop it, you’re likely to extend healing time.
How Long Does It Take for Ear Pimples to Go Away?
If left alone, most ear pimples go away within a few days to a week. If you try to squeeze or pop it, you’re likely to extend healing time.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If home remedies aren’t helping or you are experiencing excessive pain or discomfort, see your healthcare provider. You may need prescription medication for your acne.
If you think apimple extractionis needed, ask for a referral to adermatologistwho specializes in diseases and disorders of the skin.The procedures include:
Summary
Ear pimples occur for the same reasons as other pimples but are often painful and difficult to access. At-home remedies and over-the-counter topical medication can help clear pimples gradually.
If these do not work or you are in significant pain, a healthcare provider (such as a skin specialist, or dermatologist) can safely extract them. You should never extract an ear pimple on your own.
15 Sources
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