Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesAppearanceTreatmentSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Appearance
Treatment
Seeking Medical Care
A rash behind the ears looks inflamed and often has a red or purple color and texture that may be bumpy, scaly, crusty, and/or flaky. There are many causes, including infections, skin conditions, and skin irritants. There are many treatments and at-home remedy options for adults and infants experiencing rash behind ears, listed ahead.
This article covers what causes rash behind the ears and neck, symptoms, treatment options for adults and infants, and when to see a healthcare provider. You’ll also learn when to call 911 for behind-the-ear rash.
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Causes of Rash Behind Ear
It’s not always possible to determine the exact cause of a rash. Here are some reasons why a rash behind the ear may develop.
A Word From Verywell
—MARISA GARSHICK, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Viral
The measles virus can also cause arash behind the ears and neckthat moves downward to the rest of the body.
Skin Conditions
Skin conditions, including autoimmune conditions likelupus (systemic lupus erythematosus)orpsoriasis, can also cause rash behind the ear. People with lupus, for example, may experience lupus rash, sores, or swelling on body areas, including behind the ear.
Other skin conditions that can cause behind the ear rash include:
Irritants
Skin irritants can causeskin inflammation known as contact dermatitis. Some skin irritants that can lead to contact dermatitis behind the ears include wearing headphones or glasses.
There are countless skin irritants ranging from laundry detergents to jewelry to plants. The irritants most likely involved with behind-the-ear rash include those that come into direct contact with the area. Examples are:
Heat RashHeat rash can also affect the area behind the ears. Heat rash or prickly rash can happen for many reasons but is particularly common in babies and infants because their sweat glands are not fully developed.Treating heat rashin young children involves cooling down the area, keeping it dry, and avoiding further irritation or friction to the area.
Heat Rash
Heat rash can also affect the area behind the ears. Heat rash or prickly rash can happen for many reasons but is particularly common in babies and infants because their sweat glands are not fully developed.Treating heat rashin young children involves cooling down the area, keeping it dry, and avoiding further irritation or friction to the area.
Anti-Itch Creams and Home Remedies for Kids
How Rash Behind Ears Could Look
Generally, a rash behind the ears will look inflamed. The rash color can vary depending on skin tone. For people with darker skin pigmentation, the rash color may not be red, but instead can range in darker hues from purple to grey.The exact look of the rash behind the ears can also vary based on the cause.
Dandruff, for example, can appear as a red, inflamed rash with white crusty and flaky scales. There may also be cracks in the skin or oozing from the ear.People with eczema will experience a similar-looking rash. Psoriasis rash, on the other hand, is red and inflamed, with white or silvery scaly raised patches called plaques.
When in doubt, consult with a primary care provider or a dermatologist, who are medical specialists trained in detecting subtle differences between rashes to get an accurate diagnosis.
Alphabetical List of Common Rashes and Their Causes
How to Treat Behind the Ear Rashes at Home
Many minor or simple rashes can be treated at home. Experts recommend following these guidelines for treating behind the ear rashes at home:
Babies and Behind the Ear Rash
Babies and infants may experience a behind-the-ear rash fromcradle cap, a form of seborrheic dermatitis that also causes dandruff. With treatment, this form of rash usually resolves within six months.
When to Consult a Healthcare Provider
If at-home treatment is not working to resolve the ear rash, or if your symptoms are getting worse, you may want to consult with a healthcare provider.
Consulting with a healthcare provider is also recommended if you:
When to Call 911The following symptoms require immediate medical attention. Experts say to call 911 or your local emergency number in these cases:You are short of breath.Your throat is tight.Your face is swollen.Your child has a bruise-like purple rash.
When to Call 911
The following symptoms require immediate medical attention. Experts say to call 911 or your local emergency number in these cases:You are short of breath.Your throat is tight.Your face is swollen.Your child has a bruise-like purple rash.
The following symptoms require immediate medical attention. Experts say to call 911 or your local emergency number in these cases:
10 Warning Signs to Seek Immediate Care for a Rash
Summary
A behind-the-ear rash looks red or purple and inflamed. Other symptoms, like the presence or absence of raised skin plaques, will help determine the rash cause. Behind-the-ear rashes may develop due to viral infection, skin conditions including autoimmune-related disorders, and skin irritants.
Treatment involves avoiding further irritation, keeping the area clean and exposed to air, and, in some cases, applying a medicated cream or lotion. If symptoms are not responding to treatment, are getting worse, or you are showing signs of shortness of breath, tight throat and swollen face, or if your child has a bruise-like purple rash, contact your local emergency department.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kids Health.Rubella (German measles).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Lupus and your skin: Signs and symptoms.National Eczema Association.Eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pityriasis rosea: Signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology.Psoriasis: Signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Itchy rash could be contact dermatitis.Penn Medicine.Rash.American Academy of Family Physicians.Heat rash.American Association of Dermatology Academy.What your skin can tell you about your overall health.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Seborrheic dermatitis: Signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: signs and symptoms.American Family Physician.Seborrhea: What it is and how to treat it.Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.Cradle cap (infantile seborrheic dermatitis).
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kids Health.Rubella (German measles).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Lupus and your skin: Signs and symptoms.National Eczema Association.Eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pityriasis rosea: Signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology.Psoriasis: Signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Itchy rash could be contact dermatitis.Penn Medicine.Rash.American Academy of Family Physicians.Heat rash.American Association of Dermatology Academy.What your skin can tell you about your overall health.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Seborrheic dermatitis: Signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: signs and symptoms.American Family Physician.Seborrhea: What it is and how to treat it.Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.Cradle cap (infantile seborrheic dermatitis).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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American Academy of Family Physicians.Heat rash.
American Association of Dermatology Academy.What your skin can tell you about your overall health.
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American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: signs and symptoms.
American Family Physician.Seborrhea: What it is and how to treat it.
Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.Cradle cap (infantile seborrheic dermatitis).
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