Occasionally, we may all have small bumps that appear on the earlobe that causes pain and discomfort. These are pimples on the earlobe and they can change color and grow. If left untreated, these small bumps can become extremely painful and lead to a serious medical condition.
What may be causing your Pimples on the Earlobe
Poor Personal Hygiene
Touching the ears with dirty hands, using dirty ear buds, or holding a dirty cell phone to the ear can easily cause bumps, pimples or ear infections. In addition, unwashed hair and scratching of the ears with dirty fingernails can cause bumps or pimples to appear on the earlobe. If you are unclean, bacteria is able to build up, finding a sufficient living environment to thrive in and this will cause pimples to appear on the skin.
Change in Weather
In hot weather, many people are very likely to have pimples or bumps develop on the skin. This is caused by skin secretions accompanied by the deposit of dust debris, both of which cause the blockage of skin pores. When the weather is cold and mixed with indoor heating, the skin can become very dry. Dry skin can cause the development of pimples throughout the body.
Clothing and Helmets
Wearing clothes and/or helmets which trap moisture around the ears provides bacteria with the ideal conditions in which to breed. Once this bacterium becomes trapped within the pores of the skin it can cause acne or pimples on the earlobe.
Ear Piercing
Several kinds of ear piercing including those on the earlobe and cartilage can cause pimples to arise on your ear, particularly in the area which was pierced. If an ear piercing becomes infected, a lump or a pimple can appear on or around the piercing. It is particularly important to care for a fresh piercing, cleaning it as often as possible.
Earlobe Cyst
Growths which appear on any part of the body are commonly referred to as sebaceous cysts. A cyst-like this can be caused by a ruptured sebaceous gland, although damaged hair follicles are the cause of most sebaceous cysts. When such a sebaceous cyst appears on the ear, it will most likely be a painless lump formed behind the earlobe. Due to its itchiness, you will notice this lump very quickly.
Folliculitis
This is a condition in which a hair follicle becomes inflamed and this may cause a pimple on the earlobe to develop. Jewelry can damage an ear follicle causing inflammation in the pocket containing the hair shaft root. Folliculitis can also be caused if bacteria can squeeze through the layer of outer skin and reach the hair root. Symptoms of folliculitis are discomfort, swelling, and redness.
Excessive Sun Exposure
This can cause the irritation of oil glands within the skin resulting in bumps or pimples on the earlobe. As the sun is very damaging to skin it is important to always apply sunscreen if you are going to be exposed to the sun for lengthy periods.
Ear Trauma
If the skin becomes injured it can cause a pimple to grow on the earlobe as part of the wound healing process.
Scratching
Some of us have the habit of scratching our ears with a toothpick, pen, pencil, pin, or even a nail. This will be the cause of the appearance of multiple pimples on the earlobe.
Otitis Externa
This is a taint of the ear canal. It triggers the gradual swelling of the inside of the ear. This swelling can then turn into a bump or lump.
Non-Cancerous Neoformations and Exostoses
These are additional growths which may form inside the ear. In most people, these growths trigger the appearance of small bumps on the ears.
Cancer
If cancer begins to develop within the cells of the earwax, it can result in the occurrence of bumps as well. Another common symptom is the formation of lumps on the outside of the ear. If you suspect cancer or you have a history of cancer within your family, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
Some other common causes of pimples on the earlobe are; stress related to work or home life, poor nutrition, hormonal issues related to puberty, a hormonal disorder which arises during pregnancy, and allergic reactions to vitamins, cosmetics or medications.
A pimple on Earlobe that won’t Pop
A pimple may develop on the earlobe that when you attempt to pop, nothing oozes out. One reason for this is that a pimple has not matured enough yet to come to the head. If you have an infection which is deep within the skin tissue, expect nothing to come out when you try to pop it. This occurs commonly with blind pimples. Using a warm compress daily will help bring a pimple to the head. You should never attempt to pop a pimple on the earlobe which does not have a white or a black head on it, as this could lead to a worse infection.
It is important to note that a pimple which will not go away may be a tumor. Therefore, if you try popping a pimple and nothing comes out, you should see your doctor to determine the cause of a pimple.
A pimple on Earlobe Next to an Ear Piercing
There are three types of a pimple which occur next to or on a piercing. These are follicular cysts, keloid pimples, and abscesses. If you can figure out what type of a pimple you have and what caused it, you can take the appropriate steps to immediately get rid of it.
Follicular Cysts
These are typically an obstruction within the piercing causing lymph to build up which forms a liquid-filled lump. The area surrounding the pimple on the earlobe may become red, tender and bleed a little. Follicular cysts most commonly appear in piercings of the tragus, nostrils, eyebrows and ears. To reduce the chances of follicular cysts appearing, change the jewelry out making sure to avoid rings that are too tight which cause pressure, particularly once the piercing has started to swell.
Abscess
This is a large, painful swelling which appears under or behind the piercing. Abscesses are caused by infectious fluids that become trapped, usually in a nipple or earlobe piercing, where the piercing has no drainage.
Keloids
This occurs when uncomfortable friction causes excess scar tissue to form a callous next to the piercing.
An ingrown pimple on Earlobe
Also, known as a sebaceous cyst, an ingrown pimple on the earlobe is a sac-like formation which appears below the skin’s surface on the outside of the ears. Like pimples, these are painful bumps filled with pus that grows beneath the skin.
An ingrown pimple is often caused by a hair on the ear regrowing within the skin, resulting in an infection in the region. A cyst may also form when the sebaceous gland generates more oil than it can release, while skin damage and enlarged hair follicles can also induce sebaceous cysts.
Ways to Remove an Ingrown Pimple:
Surgical Removal
In this method, a doctor will numb the area using a local anesthetic and then using a scalpel he/she will open the cyst by making a single cut in the middle of the swollen area. After an incision is made, the doctor will squeeze out the fluid that has accumulated within the cyst. If the cyst is intact, it would then be removed using blunt scissors and a pair of forceps. Following this, the doctor will disinfect the area and if necessary, stitch it up. Once the surgery is complete, the doctor may prescribe some antibiotics to ensure the area does not become infected.
Non-Surgical Removal
This involves the use of a heating pad or warm water. Applying a heating pad to an ingrown pimple will draw the pus and bacteria within a pimple to the surface making it easier to remove. Place the heating pad over a pimple for 15-20 minutes three times a day, every day. If you cannot access a pimple with a heating pad, a warm wash cloth may be used in its place. This method may take one to two weeks depending on how deep the infection is. As pus is waxy, applying the warm compress will cause an oily fluid to be formed which can safely be reabsorbed by the body, lessening the chance of blood poisoning.
Antibiotics (Oral and Topical)
If a pimple on the earlobe was triggered by an infection, antibiotics are the perfect method of treatment. Treating the pimple on the earlobe with antibiotics is considered the fastest and most effective method, and even works for very small bumps, swellings or pimples due to acne. Once a diagnosis is given, a doctor can prescribe the correct antibiotics to aid in the discomfort and get rid of the growth on the earlobe.
Turmeric and Tea Tree Oil
This is another non-surgical method of removing ingrown pimples. Use of turmeric and tea tree oil can aid in drying up the fluids within a pimple. To use tea tree oil, wash a pimple with soap and water, and completely rinse. Then use a cotton ball soaked in tea tree oil, holding it on the pimple for 5 minutes. Repeat this process as often as you need to until a pimple goes away.
To use turmeric, add several drops of water to a pinch of turmeric powder and stir it into a paste. Apply this paste to a pimple once a day for 20 minutes until a pimple is gone.
Clay Mask
Aside from the surgical and non-surgical removal methods listed above, you can also you a clay mask which can be found at your local drugstore. Use of a clay mask overnight will cause the pus within a pimple to be drawn out. Before you go to bed, apply the clay mask to a pimple on the earlobe and allow it to completely dry before laying on the pillow. Repeat this process every night until all of the pus is drawn up to the skin’s surface.
Home Remedies for Pimples on Earlobe:
Tea Tree Oil
This is an essential oil which has many antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Such properties can play a vital role in dealing with issues such as toenail fungus, acne, cough and pimples on the earlobe.
- Directly apply the tea tree oil onto a pimple on the earlobe. This will give the earlobe a protective layer and aid in the fight against infection.
- You can also use diluted tea tree oil for this process. Mix the tea tree oil with water at a ratio of 1:9.
- Apply this mix to a pimple on the earlobe three times a day.
Aloe Vera
Another great, natural way to treat pimples on the earlobe. Aloe Vera has pain-relieving properties and can heal a pimple which is infected.
- Directly apply Aloe Vera gel to a pimple on the earlobe.
- Applying Aloe Vera will have a cooling effect that will relieve irritation.
- To further remove impurities from the body, try drinking Aloe Vera juice regularly.
Hot Compress
A hot compress is great for problems such as a pimple on the earlobe. This method helps to drain the pus and other fluids that are inside a pimple. Make sure the compress is a medium heat as a compress that is too hot can provide bacteria with a good breeding ground.
Honey
When combined with yogurt, honey works very well as a wound dresser.
- Blend some wheatgrass in a blender.
- Add honey to this paste and mix well.
- Directly apply this mixture to a pimple on the earlobe.
- Leave the mixture on the pimple overnight.
- Rinse off the mixture in the morning.
How to Prevent Pimples on the Earlobe
- Make sure to maintain strict levels of hygiene and cleanliness. Ensure that you clean your ears daily. Once the ear is clean, simply pat dry. Do not let the area stay damp as this can cause problems.
- If you have a pimple on the earlobe, make sure that you do not fidget with it at any time as this could lead to further infection.
Avoid the use of greasy hair products. Such products can aggravate acne.
- During the time that you have a pimple on the earlobe, change your pillowcases at least three times during the week. This will get rid of any hair oils that may have gotten onto the pillows while you slept.
- Increase the amount of vitamin A in your diet by eating foods rich in this vitamin such as papaya, carrots, spinach and pumpkin. Also, eat foods that are rich in vitamin C like oranges, tomatoes, peppers, and mangoes.
- Increase the amount of water you take in every day. Water helps to cleanse the blood stream and during this process, it eliminates toxins which build up in our bodies and accelerates the skin healing process.
- For the elimination of acne, zinc is an element that you need plenty of. Be sure to talk to your dermatologist before you begin taking the supplement. To add more zinc to your diet, you can also increase your intake of zinc-packed foods like cashews, walnuts, and oysters.
As many pimples on the earlobe are associated with an unstable, stressful lifestyle, it is important to keep happy and always avoid stress. Make sure that if a pimple will not go away despite home remedies, seek the advice of your doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
If you have any questions, comments or tips of your own let us know in the comment section below!
