Understanding Ear Pimple Causes & Solutions in FL & Beyond
Everyone gets pimples and blackheads on the body, especially individuals going through puberty. Blemishes are annoying, uncomfortable, and sometimes even painful. Unfortunately, when pimples develop in or around the ear, they can be painful due to their awkward location. In extreme cases, they can also cause hearing loss and jaw pain.
Below, the hearing experts at Tri-County Hearing discuss why ear pimples occur, how they can affect your ear health, and how you can treat them at home. We’re happy to answer any questions you have about maintaining proper ear health and hygiene or provide additional information about the comprehensive hearing services we offer patients throughout Florida. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment.
Why Do Ear Pimples Occur?
Ear pimples most often occur due to poor hygiene and the excess presence of earwax in the ear canal, which clogs the pores and causes pimples to appear in different parts of the ear. In summary, the pimples can occur due to:
- Excess sebum production
- Dead skin cells
- Clogged pores
- Bacteria
- Fungal infections
Pimples Behind the Ear
Pimples behind the ears often result from simple hygiene mistakes. Poor hygiene leads to the development and appearance of pimples behind the ears. To prevent pimples from appearing, you should wash the area behind the ears as part of your daily face-washing routine.
Leftover soap, sebum, or sweat can cause dirt to accumulate, which in turn leads to the appearance of pimples. Therefore, routinely washing the area behind the ears near the lobe with a mild soap can prevent the formation of pimples. Another helpful trick to prevent the formation of pimples behind the ears is to dry the ears and lobes thoroughly after showering to eliminate water or soap residue.
Pimples on the Ear Lobe & Cartlidge
The causes of an earlobe pimple are similar to other areas and are mainly due to the accumulation of excess dirt, sweat, or dead skin inside earlobe pores. Excessive headphone use can trigger this type of pimple because air can accumulate underneath the headset and cause bacteria to build up around the ear cartilage. An infected earring or ear piercing is another common cause of pimples on the earlobe. This can be due to:
- Dirty piercing equipment
- Allergic reaction to metal
- Bacterial infection from touching the new piercing
Pimples in the Ear
Pimples in the ears cause pain and sometimes earaches. They occur due to various factors in the ear canal, where the skin that lines the outer part of the canal contains hair cells and sebaceous glands that produce earwax and fatty and oily secretions. When sebaceous glands work too hard to produce excess sebum, a pimple can form in the ear, but this can also happen when pores become clogged with bacteria or dead skin cells. The bacteria circulating inside the ear and blocking the pores are brought on by contact with fingers, specifically with objects such as smartphones, headphones, and earphones that are not properly and regularly cleaned.
Blackheads in the Ear
Blackheads found in the ear area can indicate overall dehydration. However, the main reason they form is due to excessive sebum production, especially for people with oily skin. Other factors include poor hygiene, hormonal changes, and genetic factors. Continually using dirty earphones can also cause blackheads to form. To prevent them, it’s important to remember to clean your ears and your earphones, headphones, and hearing devices regularly.
Should You Pop an Ear Pimple?
If it’s cleaned carefully and gently, an ear pimple will heal on its own in a few days. It can take weeks or months to heal if it’s repeatedly touched or squeezed. Ear pimples should never be popped because, besides being painful, popping them can cause severe irritation, inflammation, or even an infection. Squeezing the pimple can spread bacteria inside the pores, causing the situation to worsen. The infection can lead to symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Swelling
- Redness
- Ear pain
Treatments & Home Remedies
Pimples in the ear usually heal themselves, but some treatments can speed up the process. Consider the following remedies to help you get rid of ear pimples quickly. Warm compresses can help with tissue inflammation and improve blood circulation. This treatment helps with pimples inside the ears by counteracting swelling, redness, and irritation. The heat may help bring the pus to the surface and allow it to drain out on its own. If a pimple begins to drain due to a warm compress, clean up the liquid quickly but cautiously to avoid irritating the affected area and spreading bacteria.
While at-home remedies such as warm compresses can help, please note that an ENT physician should always treat pimples deep inside the ear canal and not independently use at-home remedies. Another at-home solution to ear pimples is using tea tree essential oil to enhance the effect of the warm compress. Simply add a small amount of tea tree oil to a cotton swab and swab the affected area. Jojoba oil is another oil you can use to treat pimples. It can help eliminate bacteria that cause pimples. Add a small amount of jojoba oil to a cotton swab and gently wipe the pimple. Other remedies and may be available at your local pharmacy to help alleviate ear pimples. If you’re experiencing persistent or painful breakouts, contact your doctor.
Achieve Excellent Ear Health With Tri-County Hearing
The hearing experts at Tri-County Hearing want to help patients regain their joy of hearing throughout Florida and beyond. Contact us today to learn more about maintaining good ear health and hygiene, or schedule an appointment online for a one-on-one consultation with a trusted provider. We look forward to hearing from you.
