Acne can appear on any area of the skin that has pores that produce oil, including the earlobes. Beneath the surface of the skin are glands that produce an oily substance that keeps the skin moist. This substance is called sebum.
Sebum comes to the surface through pores in the skin. When the glands produce excess sebum, it can accumulate and mix with dead skin cells to clog pores. This can lead to acne.
Clogged pores can be an ideal home for Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacteria. An increase in these bacteria can lead to inflammation, causing acne to become red and painful. Sometimes this process occurs in the earlobe.
Causes
Clogged pores can lead to several types of acne, including:
- acne with white or yellowish centers
- acne with black tops
- papules are small red bumps that can be painful
- pustules - small red bumps with white, pus-filled tips
- nodules - large, hard bumps located deep inside the skin
- cyst - a large, painful, pus-filled tumor inside the skin
These acne forms when dead skin cells, sebum, and sometimes bacteria clog the pores.
In the case of papules and pustules, the blockage involves bacteria that break down the walls of the pores, so that the acne forms deeper in the skin and becomes larger.
Nodules and cysts form due to severe irritation of the pores, resulting in a large, deep, inflamed lump.
Pimples on the earlobe, treatment
Of course, like any other disorder or disease, acne that appears on the earlobes also requires timely and adequate treatment. Multiple small rashes usually indicate the presence of dermatitis or poor hygiene. Coping with such acne is not at all difficult, the main thing is to start treatment on time and use the right products. If the neoplasm is a single, dense subcutaneous pimple, characterized by pain, then there is a danger of developing a tumor, both benign and malignant.
When visiting the clinic, the doctor must conduct an examination and make a diagnosis. If the doctor has determined that the patient does not require surgery, he will prescribe adequate conservative treatment using various means. If acne appears due to an allergic reaction, the person is prescribed special antihistamine drugs, and after treatment it is necessary to avoid contact with the irritant to prevent the formation of new rashes. In this case, it is not easy to independently determine that the cause of acne is an allergic reaction, so in such a situation it is necessary to carry out a correct diagnosis.
If there is an active inflammatory process in the pimple, the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory therapy using special medications. If there is purulent content inside the formation, Vishnevsky ointment is often prescribed, the use of which stimulates the process of pimple maturation and the discharge of pus.
If the doctor believes that the best treatment option in a particular case is to perform a surgical operation to open the internal capsule and remove the purulent contents, then you should not refuse such a procedure. Various types of tumors, including benign ones, are also subject to mandatory removal, after which a full course of therapy is carried out using antibiotic drugs.
It should be remembered that only a doctor can determine the exact cause of pimples on the earlobe, while the effectiveness of therapy, as well as the recovery time, largely depend on how quickly adequate treatment for the condition is started. Often, for therapy, the doctor may prescribe the use of salicylic alcohol, fucorcin or zinc paste.
You cannot open a pimple on the earlobe yourself, as this can lead to serious consequences, especially if the pathogenic element has not yet matured. It is strongly recommended not to injure the existing pathogenic element with combs or earrings, or with your hands. If you have acne on your earlobe, there is no need to wear all kinds of jewelry made from low-quality metals and alloys that oxidize upon contact with the skin.
Traditional doctors recommend treating such acne with lotions using decoctions of certain medicinal plants that have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. Most often, decoctions and water infusions of plantain, celandine, sage, chamomile flowers, calendula or linden are used in treatment. You can also use the juice of fresh white cabbage, raw onion, garlic or fresh tomato for lotions.
Risk factor
Several factors lead to acne formation on the earlobes or other areas:
- Age
: Acne is most common during adolescence, but can develop at any age. - Hormones
: Hormonal fluctuations, such as during pregnancy, can affect sebum production. - Medicines
: Medicines that contain corticosteroids, androgens or lithium may cause acne. - Family history
: Genetics may play a role. - Oily Products
: Skin creams, hair products and cosmetics can clog pores. - Pressure or friction
: Contact with clothing and things like bandages, helmets, and even cell phones can contribute to acne.
Factors of origin of the pathological condition
Before choosing therapeutic therapy, it is important to establish the exact cause of the development of rashes on the earlobe. Acne that does not pose a threat to the body occurs due to:
- Failure to comply with hygiene rules, especially with dehydrated epidermis. In this case, infection with pathogenic microorganisms occurs when touching the face and ears with unwashed hands, using someone else's phone or headphones, which cause not only skin abscesses, but also fungal and viral diseases leading to dangerous complications.
- Mechanical damage due to regular picking of the ears with a stick or non-sterile means, which remove the protective cellular layer and open the skin to various infections. After penetration into an unprotected area, microorganisms begin to actively multiply, developing an inflammatory process.
- Disturbances in the functionality of the endocrine system, for example, during pregnancy or adolescence, are fraught with the occurrence of hormonal imbalance. Therapeutic therapy here should be aimed at eliminating the internal problem, while banal squeezing is dangerous due to infection.
- Regular stress, causing numerous internal and external diseases. An ordinary pimple sometimes occurs as a result of weakened immunity due to constant nervous strain.
- Allergic reactions to specific foods, medications, jewelry, or clothing. To get rid of hives or pimples, you need to eliminate the irritant.
- An unbalanced diet , leading to disruption of the sebaceous glands of the skin.
- Problems with the gastrointestinal tract, for example, dysbiosis, gastritis, colitis or vitamin imbalance.
It is also important to pay close attention to the condition of your hat, because a dirty hat primarily affects the ear. In summer, pimples on the lobe often form as a result of sand or soil entering the organ of hearing when swimming or sunbathing on the beach.
Hypothermia leads to colds, which cause inflammatory rashes. The lack of a hat in winter also leads to otitis media and mycosis.
Cold pimples are the most unpleasant rash. Lack of treatment results in boils, which are removed surgically.
Treatment
Treatment for acne on the earlobe or elsewhere depends on its severity.
Most whiteheads and blackheads disappear without treatment. However, for other types of acne, medications and home remedies may help.
Use of drugs
Ointments, gels and lotions can reduce acne. Effective treatments may include:
- benzoyl peroxide, which can reduce sebum production and kill P. acnes bacteria
- resorcinol, which can break down whiteheads and blackheads
- salicylic acid, which helps clear pores and reduce inflammation
- sulfur, which can unclog pores and kill P. acnes
For severe or persistent acne, your doctor may prescribe:
- antibiotics, which can reduce bacterial populations and inflammation
- retinoids, which help shrink pores
- drainage and extraction, procedure to remove cysts
- steroid injections, which help treat nodules and cysts
Diagnostics
First you need to determine the causes of the rash. To do this, you should seek help from a dermatologist who will conduct the necessary examination. A small rash indicates poor hygiene; if it is a single pimple, it may be a tumor.
To diagnose acne, you do not need to undergo additional examinations. A medical examination will be sufficient. You can also take a blood test to exclude the possibility of developing pathologies, as well as an ultrasound and x-ray.
If the disease is detected in the early stages of development, treatment will be quick and simple. And in its absence, the development of an infectious process, melting of the eardrum, and hearing loss is possible.
Important! The frequent appearance of pimples on the earlobe should be a reason to consult a doctor and undergo a full examination.
Home care
Some home remedies can help get rid of earlobe blackheads or reduce their size.
- Apply a warm compress
: Heat can open the pores and encourage the release of pus. - Use tea tree oil
: its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties can help, but be sure to dilute it before applying to your skin. - Apply an ice pack
: cold can reduce any inflammation and pain.
Never squeeze out blackheads. This can push the blockage further into the skin, worsening inflammation and causing:
- scarring
- more noticeable acne
- pain
- infection
Causes of acne
Localization of acne on the ear occurs due to the accumulation of various microorganisms. The auricle is open to contamination, mechanical and climatic influences.
The causes of acne formation can be:
- Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules. This is the most common cause, especially in children. This may include rare washing of ears, touching with dirty hands, lack of headwear, etc.
- Colds. Most often, pimples on the ears form during the cold, damp season, during the swimming season and windy weather. If treatment is not started in time, furunculosis may develop.
- Mechanical impact. Frequent scratching of the earlobe, resulting in microtraumas. This can occur due to friction caused by wearing tight headgear or scratches.
- Hormonal imbalance, which leads to rashes on various parts of the body.
- Nervous disorders, frequent stress.
- Poor nutrition, abuse of fatty, salty, sweet foods.
- Allergy to cosmetics, detergents.
- Chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, endocrine system disorders).
Prevention
To prevent acne from forming on your earlobe or elsewhere:
- Wash the area twice a day: This will help remove dead skin cells, sebum and bacteria.
- Shampoo your hair regularly: Oily hair can cause excess oil to spread to your earlobe and nearby skin.
- Be gentle with your skin: Avoid harsh or rough exfoliators, astringents and toners.
- Remove makeup before bed: Even non-comedogenic makeup can contribute to acne.
- Keep hairsprays and gels away from your skin as they can clog the pores around your earlobes.
- Wash your hats and pillowcases regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria and dead skin cells.
- Make sure your sports gear is clean and fits snugly: Helmets and other protective gear can trap sweat and bacteria on your skin, especially if they fit too tightly.
Features of atheroma
In fact, atheroma is a special inflammation located under the skin, which can very quickly turn into a complex abscess with the formation of pus. If atheroma worsens, it is possible to cure it only through surgery, so you should not delay your visit to the doctor.
Atheroma can be determined by simply palpating the inflamed surface and performing a visual assessment of the condition. When you feel a subcutaneous pimple on the earlobe, you can notice the presence inside of a fairly dense, round formation located in the deep layers of the skin.
In this case, you need to contact a dermatologist immediately, without delaying time or postponing the visit until later, as this is fraught with serious complications.
If the pimple that appears on the lobe is soft, located in the superficial layers of the skin, and is not very painful, then it is not atheroma and such a formation can be cured without surgical intervention, by using various drugs of traditional or folk medicine. As a rule, in this case the inflammatory process disappears after 4 to 7 days. If the condition does not improve within a week, you should consult a doctor for help.
It is important to remember that almost any pimple, even one that is very small in size, if an infection penetrates into it, can very quickly turn into a painful boil, inside which a rod and purulent contents form. Therefore, it is so important to treat acne on time and not cause any injury to the rash.
Preventive actions
There are several options for activities that need to be done regularly to avoid the appearance of acne on the ear and other parts of the face. These include:
- regular compliance with hygiene rules;
- refusal of independent mechanical damage to the skin and mucous membranes of the ear canals;
- regular hair washing, since greasy hair spreads a large number of bacteria;
- regular cleaning of clothing, especially scarves, sweaters with high collars and jackets with hoods;
- cleanliness of jewelry, especially earrings;
- preliminary wiping of telephone handsets with wet wipes before use;
- refusal to use other people's headphones.
The appearance of pimples on the surface of the earlobe may indicate various problems that are present in the body. Most often, this is a sign of poor hygiene, but the presence of inflammatory lesions on the organ of hearing may also indicate more serious ailments. It is not recommended to squeeze even those pimples that are located on the surface.
