Acne in the ear: causes plus how to deal with it

Acne is a condition that is often found on the face and other limbs, such as the back and buttocks. However, sometimes acne can occur in areas that you may not be aware of, such as the ear. So, what is the cause and how to overcome it?

Causes of acne on the ears

Basically, the cause of acne on the ear is the same as in other areas of the body, namely clogged pores. If excess oil and dead skin cells mix with dirt and bacteria, skin pores will become clogged. As a result, pimples appeared.

This also applies to the skin inside the ear. You see, the sebaceous (sebaceous) glands produce an oil called sebum. Sebum acts as a protector and keeps the skin moisturised. Sebum production will increase at puberty.

Sebaceous glands are found in areas covered with hair. However, these glands are also present in the human ear, precisely on the outside of the ear canal which is equipped with fine hairs.

In addition, the ear canal is also filled with ceruminus, which is a gland that produces earwax or wax. If these glands produce too much sebum or your pores become clogged with skin cells and oil, your ear can get pimples.

If this is allowed, of course the acne-causing bacteria will cause inflammation and cause new skin problems in your ears.

A trigger for ear acne

Even so, pore blockages that occur in the ear do not occur without reason. There are several things that can trigger clogged pores and cause acne on the ears, including the following.

1. Usage headset

For those of you who never clear your 'head' headset may need to be careful because this can be a pathway for bacteria to enter the ear. No wonder the pores get clogged and cause inflammation of the ears.

2. Not keeping hair clean

Did you know that hair hygiene can affect the growth of acne on the ears? You see, long hair that is rarely washed is very likely to carry bacteria in the ear. As a result, the hair follicles get clogged and trigger acne.

3. Dirty earrings or piercings

Dirty earrings or piercings can also harbor bacteria, which can lead to ear pimples.

4. Other factors

Apart from the three habits above, there are several other factors that put a person at risk of developing acne on the ear, namely:

• hormonal changes, especially during puberty, pregnancy, and menstruation,
• severe stress,
• use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids and lithium,
• had a parent with acne problems, as well
• pressure or friction on the skin from headbands, helmets, and cell phones.

How to get rid of pimples on the ears

Ear acne can be treated easily, just like acne treatment in general. You should immediately treat this non-contagious skin disease before the inflammation spreads to other areas.

Here are some ways you can treat acne in the ear.

Acne medication

Acne medication, both prescription and over-the-counter, is a method that is considered effective for getting rid of acne, including on the ears.

You may be able to apply an over the counter acne medication if the acne is not too severe. Generally, ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid in acne medications can be used to kill acne-causing bacteria.

If your acne is moderate, you should use benzoyl peroxide at a dose of 5%. However, the use of topical medications is not recommended when your ear has open sores.

If topical medications don't heal your ear pimples, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to drink. In addition to antibiotics, they will usually prescribe benzoyl peroxide or isotretinoin for severe cystic acne.

Keep in mind that the acne medication prescribed by a doctor requires close supervision, especially on the use of isotretinoin. The reason is, a drug also known as roaccutane can trigger birth defects if consumed by pregnant women.

Therefore, always consult with your doctor about the use of certain drugs, especially if you have certain diseases and conditions.

Are there home remedies for ear acne?

Apart from using drugs, there are various treatments that can be done at home to get rid of acne on the ears, which are as follows.

• Compress the ear with warm water.
• Routinely wash your hair, especially if you have oily hair.
• Take a shower immediately after exercising.
• Always make sure the ear area and surroundings are clean of soap.

If some of the above treatments don't work, consult your doctor to get the right treatment.

How to prevent acne on the ear

For some people, acne on the ears tends to be more painful than in other areas of the body. To avoid this skin problem, you can try various ways to prevent acne on the ear, including the following.

Make sure the shampoo is rinsed clean

Apart from using medication, another way to get rid of acne on the ear is to make sure the hair care products are rinsed clean. You see, shampoo, conditioner, or hair vitamins can leave residue behind the ears.

What's more, most hair care products contain comedogenic ingredients, such as petrolatum, silicones, and mineral oil. These ingredients are believed to get behind the ear and cause acne.

Therefore, always make sure shampoo and other hair care products are cleaned behind your ears so they don't trigger acne.

Maintain ear cleanliness

Dirty ears can not only lead to infection but also acne. Therefore, always clean your ears regularly. Here are some things to consider when cleaning your ears.

• Do not clean it with dirty hands as it can invite bacteria
• Avoid use cotton bud because it can make the ear injured and at risk of infection
• Clean your ears at a specialist
• Don't swap headset because it is susceptible to bacteria from other people
• Use ear plugs when swimming to prevent pool water from getting into the ears

Acne on the ears is a fairly common skin condition. However, you should immediately solve this problem because it can develop into other health problems.