How To Get Rid Of Bump In Ear

Photo credit: Tijana Stepic / EyeEm - Getty Images

From Prevention

What's worse than a new pimple forming? Trying to get rid of it, of course. Those pesky, painful pus-filled bumps always seem to appear in the most inconvenient places-on your face, your back, and yes, sometimes even in your ear.

While a pimple in your ear may not feel like a huge deal at first, those suckers can hurt a lot. But why exactly does ear acne form in the first place? And more importantly, how can you get rid of it ASAP? Here, a dermatologist explains how to deal with them and find relief fast.

First, what causes a pimple in your ear?

Ear pimples can come in all shapes and sizes. You may be dealing with tiny blackheads, whiteheads, or red and tender bumps. Either way, don't freak out too much. A pimple inside your ear is usually not a sign of improper cleanliness or anything dangerous, explains Susan Bard, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology Specialists.

"It usually starts with a clogged pore and it's not uncommon to have that in the bowl of the ear," she says. This is known as the conchal bowl, or the round and hollow part that leads to your ear canal.

Something as basic as oily skin can can lead to a pimple in your ear. But if you're predisposed to certain conditions like dandruff-which can also occur behind the bowl of the ear in addition to your scalp-it can can cause flaking and lead to clogged pores, Dr. Bard says.

Why are pimples inside your ear so painful?

If you've had an ear pimple before, then you know how uncomfortable they can be-but they're rarely dangerous when allowed to heal properly. The pimple is not likely to cause an ear infection and the pus is not going to sneakily make its way down into your ear drum.

"[Ear pimples] are very painful because the skin is more taut there, and more importantly there's cartilage there," Dr. Bard says. "Any time there's inflammation around cartilage, such as around the nose or the ear, it's always very painful."

How to get rid of a pimple in your ear

The best thing you can do is take a hands-off approach. Just leave it alone, says Dr. Bard.

However, she also admits that 9 out of 10 of her patients don't follow that recommendation. So if the pimple is truly painful and has come to a very obvious head (say, it's very white in the center), you can use two Q-tips to pop it, says Dr. Bard, to ensure that the process is sanitary. Only target areas you can actually see-anything deep inside your ear shouldn't be touched by anyone but your dermatologist.

Avoid using your hands if you can. When people use their fingers, they tend to apply more force, says Dr. Bard. Plus, your nail can cause more trauma to the ear and dig bacteria deeper into your skin if you haven't washed your hands properly. This can increase your risk of infection.

If the pimple isn't at a head, but you're in desperate need of immediate relief, Dr. Bard recommends using warm compresses or acne spot treatments containing benzoyl peroxide, since they fight acne-causing bacteria. Retinoid based products, like Differin Adapalene Gel Acne Treatment, can also help speed the healing process, she says. If you have facial acne and already have a salicylic acid treatment at home, you can try that as well, but it's not as effective and tends to be more mild.

And if the pimple hurts too much and you're afraid of making it worse? Check in with your dermatologist who can offer a prescribed medication, like a cortisone injection, for especially angry zits.

('You Might Also Like',)

The Best Yoga Mats, According to Top Yoga Instructors
Jillian Michaels Urges Fans to Stay Away From the Keto Diet
4 Ways To Fix Your Cracked Heels At Home