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It’s bad enough to have pimples on the face. But, what if you have a pimple in the ear? In many ways, the skin within your ears is similar to the skin on other parts of the body. For instance, it has skin pores that can suffer blockage which can lead to a painful pimple in the ear. Although such a bump may be hard to see or reach, there are some effective methods you can follow to get rid of it.
Starting with hygiene, some bad habits expose you to the development of pimples in the ear canal. Some examples include cleaning or touching your ears using unclean hands, wearing dirty earphones or headphones, or even scratching your ear using objects like a pencil or ballpoint pen.
Similarly, dirty hair, makeup, etc. can cause pimples in ear. Accumulation of microorganisms like bacteria on the things that you touch or you insert into the ear is sure to cause inflammation or even an infection that leads to the growth of pimples in the ears.
Other causes of pimples include:
While you may feel the urge to squeeze or pop the ear pimple, it is best to resist the urge. Popping the pimple can't rid you of the nuisance, but makes it worse.
Squeezing can push the microorganisms and pus deeper into the skin pores. This can lead to increased irritation and inflammation. In case squeezing brings out the pus, the skin may later develop into a scar. An infected pimple can develop into a boil as a result of trauma caused by squeezing, poking or picking.
In case of existing spots, try a warm compress which should soften and loosen the pimples. Additionally, heat can help bring trapped pus to the skin surface. If the pimple drains on its own, wipe off the pus immediately to avoid further irritation of the affected area or spread of microorganisms to the rest of your skin. You will also need to wash off any debris.
In case of painful and persistent pimple breakouts, consult a doctor who will recommend treatment to suit your condition. Treatment may include:
Alternative treatments, including home remedies may also be used against a painful pimple in ear. Such remedies include the following:
Soak one tea bag using hot water and place it on the pimpled area. Cover it using a washcloth soaked with hot water. Tannins in the black tea in combination with heat work to reduce the inflammation.
Milk contains alpha-hydroxy acids. These help to unclog skin pores and soak dead skin for easier removal. Start by soaking a ball of cotton wool in milk. Squeeze the milk onto the pimple and leave it on for about 10 minutes. Wash the area using lukewarm water. Repeat the treatment 3 or 4 times per day.
The antibacterial properties of tea tree oil kill the bacteria that cause pimple in ear and on other parts. Tea tree oil also speeds up pimple healing. Make a tea tree oil/water mixture in the ratio of 1:9 respectively. Use this mixture to soak a ball of cotton wool and place the ball over the pimple for a few minutes.
Aloe vera extract is antibacterial. It can help to treat pimples besides reducing swelling. You may buy and use gel from a supermarket or obtain your own from within an aloe vera leaf. Put some of the gel onto pimple; leave it for up to 20 minutes before rinsing it off using lukewarm water. Repeat the treatment twice daily.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) contains some antiseptic properties which can help in the prevention and treatment of infection and bacterial growth. You can also use it to treat pimple in ear and other skin areas. Soak a ball of cotton wool with the ACV and use it to apply on the pimple. Leave the ACV on for a minute before rinsing with water. Repeat treatment 3 to 4 times daily.
A saline (salt) solution can work as a treatment for pimples. Put one teaspoon Epsom salt in a small container, add half cup hot water, and stir to dissolve. Let the solution cool to a comfortable temperature. Soak a ball of cotton wool and use it to soak the pimple. Leave on to dry before rinsing with water. Repeat treatment twice or thrice daily.
