How to Treat a Pimple in Your Ear, Possible Causes & More (2024)

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

  • Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
  • Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
  • Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Was this helpful?

Try to resist the urge to pop or squeeze the pimple in your ear. Doing so could make your skin issue worse instead of better. Squeezing may also push out bacteria and pus.

Acne is generally seen as an adolescent issue, but it’s common across all age groups.

Nearly 50 million people in the United States have acne at any given time. It’s the most common skin condition in the country.

Pimples can form anywhere, though they primarily affect the areas with the most oil glands. This includes your face and your back.

It’s not uncommon for pimples to form inside of your ear, too. Pimples in your ear can usually be treated at home without guidance from your doctor.

We’ll cover more about what causes pimples to form in your ear and how to make them go away.

Acne is a broad term that describes a variety of skin conditions. It refers to everything from whiteheads and blackheads to cysts and nodules.

A whitehead occurs when oil, or sebum, clogs a pore. A blackhead occurs when sebum is exposed to air and turns dark. The sac under the skin can break, become irritated, or even infected, leading to the formation of cysts and nodules.

Acne in its various forms can appear in your ear, like in the outer ear (auricle) and the external ear canal. The skin of the outer ear covers cartilage and a small amount of fat. The skin of the ear canal has hair cells as well as glands that produce oil and ear wax.

If these glands produce too much oil, it may cause acne to form in your ear. This can also happen when dead skin cells or bacteria build up in your pores.

When these things happen, you may develop a pimple in the affected area. A pimple will form in your ear if the oil is unable to escape or bacteria grows in a clogged pore.

A buildup in bacteria can be caused by a few things, such as sticking your finger in your ear or using earbuds or headphones that aren’t cleaned often.

Other causes of acne include stress and a hormonal imbalance.

The same things that cause acne elsewhere on the body can also cause pimples in the ear. However, due to the sensitive nature of the ear, acne in this location has to be treated with care.

Although it may be tempting to pop or squeeze the pimple, you should avoid this at all costs. This may get rid of the blemish, or it could make it much worse.

Squeezing the pimple can force bacteria and pus deeper into your pores. This may cause the area to become more irritated and inflamed. If you do squeeze the pimple and pus comes out, the area will scab. This trauma may encourage a scar to develop.

If the pimple gets infected, it can become a boil. These pus-filled bumps are generally painful and can often be treated with the same methods as pimples.

A pimple can turn into a boil on its own too. It can also happen because of trauma to the area as a result of picking, poking, and squeezing.

You can try a warm compress to loosen and soften any existing pimples. The heat may help bring the pus to the surface and allow it to drain out on its own.

If this happens, be sure to clean up the liquid quickly but cautiously. You don’t want to irritate the affected area any further, and you don’t want the bacteria to spread. Be sure to wash the area thoroughly.

If you have persistent or painful breakouts, you should consult your doctor. They’ll assess your acne and give it one of these “grades”:

  • mild
  • moderate
  • moderate to severe
  • severe

Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan best suited to your needs. Your treatment may include:

  • Topicals. Topical medications derived from vitamin A are available by prescription and over the counter (OTC). Tretinoin (Retin-A) is the most common prescription option. Shop for OTC acne creams online.
  • Benzoyl peroxide. A variety of OTC benzoyl peroxide compounds are also available. For moderate acne, use a solution that’s 5 percent benzoyl peroxide. You shouldn’t use these solutions near an open wound or mucus membrane, like inside your nose or mouth. Shop for OTC benzoyl peroxide treatments online.
  • Antibiotics. Your doctor may recommend an antibiotic such as minocycline (Amzeeq, Minocin) or doxycycline (Doryx, Doryx MPC) to treat bacteria associated with acne. However, antibiotic treatment for acne is less popular than it was in the past. Concern is growing about antibiotic resistance and antibiotic therapy.
  • Systemic drugs. Systemic drugs derived from vitamin A, such as isotretinoin, are usually reserved for severe cases of cystic acne. They’re effective, but they’ve been linked to numerous side effects.

Acne lesions, particularly those caused by severe acne, can be painful. Appropriate and prompt treatment can begin with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Naprosyn). Your doctor may also recommend prescription drugs if these options aren’t effective.

The various treatments for acne can have complicated and serious interactions. For example, some research shows that antibiotics can lower the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. Sensitivity to the sun is more likely with some antibiotics, vitamin A compounds, and NSAIDs.

Did you know?

Acne treatments can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to produce noticeable differences.

Acne can appear anywhere, and it’s easy for a lesion on the ear to remain tucked away or out of sight for an extended period of time. However, it’s also possible that the bump in or on your ear is the result of another condition.

Possible conditions that may resemble a pimple include:

  • Granuloma fissuratum. These tender, red patches of skin are usually caused by wearing glasses.
  • Keloid. Keloids are red or purple nodules that are often associated with small excisions.
  • Seborrheic keratosis. Seborrheic keratosis is a type of skin growth that appears as a flat, light brown lesion.
  • Epidermoid cyst. Epidermoid cysts are small, slow-growing bumps that form beneath the skin. They’re sometimes mistakenly referred to as sebaceous cysts.
  • Basal cell carcinoma. Tumors caused by this type of skin cancer may be mistaken for persistent pimples.

It’s important to seek medical attention if the bump or surrounding area is painful, irritated, or persistent. Lesions that don’t respond to typical acne treatments may not be acne and should also be seen by a doctor.

In a 2012 study involving Indian people who came to a doctor with dermatological conditions of the ear, the most common diagnoses were tinea facei (ringworm), psoriasis, and herpes zoster (shingles).

Acne was rare, only accounting for about 1 percent of the diagnoses. The prevalence of acne may be different for other ethnic groups, though.

Although acne can be unpredictable, there are a few things that you can do to reduce your chances of breaking out:

  • Keep your face, neck, and ears clear of excess oil and grime that can clog pores.
  • Opt for a pH-balancing cleanser instead of conventional soap. Shop for pH-balancing cleansers online.
  • Be sure to wash gently and pat dry instead of pulling at the skin. Scrubbing can also irritate your skin.
  • Clean your earbuds and headsets regularly. This may help prevent future breakouts.
How to Treat a Pimple in Your Ear, Possible Causes & More (2024)

FAQs

How to Treat a Pimple in Your Ear, Possible Causes & More? ›

Pimples in the ear usually go away on their own. However, some treatments, such as antibiotic creams and hydrogen peroxide, can speed up the healing process. Pimples can occur on the ear, behind the ear, or inside the ear canal. They can be painful and uncomfortable, but typically clear without treatment over time.

How to get rid of a pimple inside the ear? ›

Pimples in the ear usually go away on their own. However, some treatments, such as antibiotic creams and hydrogen peroxide, can speed up the healing process. Pimples can occur on the ear, behind the ear, or inside the ear canal. They can be painful and uncomfortable, but typically clear without treatment over time.

Why do ear pimples hurt more? ›

“[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.”

Why do I have a bump inside my ear? ›

Causes. Sebaceous cysts are the most common type of cysts seen in the ear. These sack-like lumps are made up of dead skin cells and oils produced by oil glands in the skin.

How long do ear boils last? ›

Boils may heal on their own after a period of itching and mild pain. More often, they become more painful as pus builds up. Boils usually need to open and drain in order to heal. This most often happens within 2 weeks.

How long can a pimple in your ear last? ›

If cleaned carefully and gently, an ear pimple will heal on its own in a few days. If repeatedly touched or squeezed, it can take weeks and the pimple can last even a month or more. Ear pimples should never be popped because in addition to hurting, it could cause severe irritation, inflammation or even an infection.

What is a pimple with a hard white ball inside? ›

Pustules are a type of pimple that contains yellowish pus. They are larger than whiteheads and blackheads. Home remedies and over-the-counter creams may help treat pustules. Pustules appear either as red bumps with white centers or as white bumps that are hard and often tender to the touch.

What does Winkler's disease look like? ›

Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis — or CNH for short — is a condition that affects your outer ear. You'll see inflammation and a small hard bump on the ear cartilage. It's also called Winkler's disease, named after the dermatologist who first described it in 1915.

What does an ear cyst look like? ›

Earlobe cysts are saclike lumps made of dead skin cells. They look like small, smooth bumps under the skin, similar to a blemish. They vary slightly in color, from matching your skin pigmentation to red. Usually, they are no bigger than the size of a pea.

How do you treat a lump in your ear at home? ›

If this is your case, we recommend that you use one of the other remedies. First, soak the cotton wool in the apple cider vinegar. Next, fix it on the lump behind the ear with the bandage or espadrille and leave it to act for a while. After the indicated time, remove the bandage.

What is the difference between a pimple and a boil in your ear? ›

Pimples result from excess oil production and a buildup of dead skin cells, dirt, and bacteria, whereas boils occur when a bacterial infection develops in a hair follicle or area of damaged skin. Pimples can also occur in the ear. Learn more about the differences between boils and pimples.

Is it safe to put Vaseline in your ear? ›

Leave any excess Vaseline in place because it's a good lubricator for your ears; DO NOT try to remove it with a cotton bud. Cotton wool and Vaseline ear precautions are safe, most reliable, easily accessible and affordable.

Can you put neosporin in your ear canal? ›

No. Only use Neosporin on the outside of your body.

Where does the pus go if you don't pop a pimple? ›

Pimples will go away on their own if you do not pop them. Your skin uses its own natural exfoliation process to push the pimple and its contents to the surface. You can actually see this process, called “purging”, happening when you begin using a retinoid.

Why is my ear pimple bleeding? ›

Contact dermatitis, acne, a rash, or an infection (like chicken pox) can all cause ear pimples that may bleed, especially if you try to “pop” them. Scratching scabs. Scabs that have been picked at can cause ear bleeding and may get infected.

How to get rid of an earlobe cyst? ›

When necessary or desired, treatment usually involves removing the cyst with a simple cut and local anesthetic. Surgical removal may also prevent a cyst from reforming. Otherwise, a doctor can make a small cut in the cyst and drain the contents. This option is quick and simple, but cysts are more likely to return.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Allyn Kozey

Last Updated:

Views: 6247

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Allyn Kozey

Birthday: 1993-12-21

Address: Suite 454 40343 Larson Union, Port Melia, TX 16164

Phone: +2456904400762

Job: Investor Administrator

Hobby: Sketching, Puzzles, Pet, Mountaineering, Skydiving, Dowsing, Sports

Introduction: My name is Allyn Kozey, I am a outstanding, colorful, adventurous, encouraging, zealous, tender, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.