Is it possible to get a zit in your ear

Ear pimples form right next to cartilage—the tough connective tissue that gives the outer ear shape and structure—so there's no fat to cushion the cartilage from the pressure and swelling caused by a pimple. It depends on how large it is and, at least as important, how you manage it. If you squeeze or pop it—or try to—you're likely to prevent it from healing on its own, which shouldn't take longer than a few days to a week. Pimples develop when a pore becomes blocked with oil and dead skin cells.

Boils occur when a tiny opening in the skin becomes infected with bacteria. When a pimple becomes infected with bacteria and develops pus forming a pustule it can look a lot like a boil. See a dermatologist. Although you might be tempted to call on an otolaryngologist a doctor who specializes in ear, nose, and throat health , a pimple is a skin condition and should be treated by a doctor with expertise in that area.

Dealing with acne can be frustrating. Our free guide provides expert tips to help you take control. Sign up and get yours today. Pen punching: An innovative technique for comedone extraction from the well of the concha. J Am Acad Dermatol. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.

American Academy of Dermatology. Pimple popping: Why only a dermatologist should do it. Hammer KA. Treatment of acne with tea tree oil melaleuca products: a review of efficacy, tolerability and potential modes of action.

Int J Antimicrob Agents. Merck Manual Professional Version. Furuncles and carbuncles. Updated Feb Why choose a board-certified dermatologist? Updated Aug 23, Altman, MA. Acne therapy: Surgical and physical approaches.

Procedures for primary care. Philadelphia: Elsevier Mosby, Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. So if you can't reach that bad boy or it's really painful , it's worth paying a visit to your derm for some help. Zeichner says your dermatologist might try to pop it themselves using sterilized professional tools, or give the ear pimple "a pinch of cortisone" to calm inflammation.

However, if your ear pimple is also itchy and flaky, it might not be a real zit after all, says Zeichner. This type of blemish is caused by yeast on the skin similar to what leads to dandruff and scalp bumps, he adds. Zeichner says an anti-dandruff shampoo used as a cleanser on the ear might help nix this type of ear "pimple.

If you're prone to pimples in your ear, Downie says you can make it a habit to clean your ears more often. However, it's not totally fool-proof, since bacteria and clogged pores are only part of the picture when it comes to acne causes even in your ear. Stress, hormonal fluctuations, and family history can all be pimple-causing culprits, Downie says.

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. 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.

The hair in your ear is in place, along with earwax , to keep debris and dirt from getting to your eardrum. If you are able to see the bump either by looking in the mirror, taking a photo, or having a trusted individual take a look for you, you can check to see if the bump is larger, pinkish red, and possibly has a white or yellow center.

If the boil is actually in your ear, you may experience pain in your ear , jaw , or head. You may also experience some issues in hearing, as the bump may be blocking your ear canal. You should never pick at or attempt to pop , puncture, or cut open a boil. A boil typically contains bacterial infection that may spread and result in further infection or more boils. To help your boil open and drain:. Your doctor will likely perform minor surgery on the boil by making a small cut through the surface of the boil to drain out the pus that built up inside.

Your doctor may also give you antibiotics to help the infection. The ear canal is sensitive and can be easily scratched, which could lead to further infection. Boils are relatively common. They are caused by bacteria that fester underneath your skin near a hair follicle.