The ear consists of three parts:
- The outer ear, which consists of the external ear and the ear canal
- The mid ear, which consists of the eardrum and a chain of three small bones that run from the eardrum to the inner ear, referred to as the ossicular chain
- The inner ear, filled with fluid and containing the seashell – shaped cochlea
Pimple in ear occurs in the ear canal. However, ear infections can take place in any of the three sections. The main cause of abscess in the ear is poor hygiene. In most cases, a pimple will just occur out of the blue.
Table of Contents
Pimple in the Ear Basics
A pimple may erupt in the ear, and its location may be the ear canal or the pinna. The softer section, referred to as the lobule, is hardly involved. Abscess formation is quite a natural occurrence, and it can hurt or cause undesired pain. The very first and usually the main cause of this condition is failure to follow the required hygiene rules. Most people have a habit of scratching the ears using fairly sharp objects, such as matchsticks, pencils, or pens. The ear is a fertile environment for the growth of acne. This is so since the inside, and the area around the ears, is normally filled with sebaceous glands.
Otitis Externa
To get a clear understanding of why a pimple can form in the ear, you need to learn about otitis externa. Healthy skin normally offers an effective chemical and physical barrier against many fungi and bacteria found in our surroundings. The skin usually loses the barrier when exposed to maceration, moisture, and repeated trauma. In most cases, the outcome may be a chronic or an acute superficial infection of the epidermis by either fungi or bacteria. However, most cases of otitis externa are self-inflicted, due to repeated infection of the ear with self-manipulation or water. With that said, otitis externa is an inflammatory process that affects the external auditory canal.
The condition can be localized or diffused, which is commonly seen during summer. The knowledge in the importance of good aural hygiene is a significant part of the treatment. There are different types of otitis externa, but the one associated with painful pimple in ear canal is furuncle (a painful sore with a hard core filled with pus). This is a staphylococcal abscess ascending from the base of a hair follicle. It results from the entry of pyogenic staphylococci into the skin of the superficial external ear. It appears only in the outer cartilaginous part of the external ear canal (the skin of this portion has underlying perichondrium, meaning that a small furuncle may end up into a severe local pain).
Causes of Ear Pimple
Ear Hygiene
This is one of the major causes of ear pimple, which may include cellphone waves, dirty earpieces/ headphones, and dirty fingernails. Ear scratching with reused ear buds, toothpick, pin, and dirty nails are all poor hygiene practices, which give room to bacteria leading to the formation of pimple. Unclean hands and cotton ear buds can cause dirt to clog up in the ear pores resulting into pimples.
You can easily rectify these problems by improving on your hygiene
Swimmer’s Ear
This is a skin infection in the lining of the ear canal, which is common among people swimming regularly during summer, when it is hot. The condition is caused by water that recurrently collects in the canal. It can also be from skin irritation. As far as both situations are concerned, bacteria penetrate the skin and cause infection. Swimmer’s ear results into extreme pain with movement or touch of the outer ear. This usually forms a pimple characterized by redness and swelling. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot get swimmer’s ear from lying in a bathtub. Bath water is usually clean, and very little or no water collects in the canal.
Ear Piercing
There are several forms of ear piercing, including industrial/cartilage penetrating, antitragus, tragus, and earlobe. There is a number of conditions that arise from piercing, and the most notable one is the localized infection within the epithelial-lined fistula tract of a pierced ear. The condition is mainly caused by poor hygiene. This can cause pimple behind ear. There will be localized tenderness, and erythema (abnormal redness of the skin resulting from dilation of blood vessels). Pressure on the lobule will commonly expel a tiny drop of pus. You can avoid all these by practicing good personal hygiene.
Other Causes
Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are other possible causes of painful pimple in ear:
- Poor nutrition may cause internal organs to function inappropriately, and manifest such problems through acne
- Allergic reactions caused by objects that come in contact with the ear, such as clothes, vitamin complexes, and cosmetics
- Hormonal disorders that are experienced during pregnancy and puberty
- Stress is a common factor in the development of hormonal disorders, especially work and school related stress
Symptoms of Ear Furuncle/Pimple/Boil
- Ear pain
- Redness, irritation, and itching in as well as around the canal
- Inconsequential hearing loss
- Tenderness whenever the ear/jaw is moved
- Redness & swelling on the ear canal and outer ear
- Scaly skin in the canal
- Discharge from the ear, usually pus-like or watery
- Swollen/ sore glands in the throat.
Treatment for Pimple in Ear
The likelihood of a furuncle disappearing on its own is possible without medication. The body’s immune system can get rid of the bacteria that cause the pimples, but the pain may be excruciating until it goes away. Usually, you may need painkillers and antibiotics, if the pimple does not clear on its own, or if the infection is severe. The best natural remedies you can use include the following:
Tea Tree Oil – Place a few drops on the affected area to treat bacterial infections. This is also a good natural treatment for pimple inside ear.
Apple Cider Vinegar – Combine some apple cider vinegar with an equal portion of alcohol, and then soak a cotton ball in the solution. Then use the cotton ball to rub the pimple for as long as necessary.
Basil Oil – Mix some basil oil with an equivalent amount of coconut oil. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture, and then carefully wipe on and around the pimple.
Olive Oil – Lean your head to one side, and use a dropper to place three drops of warm star olive oil in your ear to loosen excess earwax. Allow the oil to sit in your ear for at least ten minutes. Then drain and rinse the ear. Repeat the whole process for the other ear. What the olive oil does is softens, and slowly loosens the wax, which eventually drops out of the ear.
Green Blossom of Mango – Obtain the green blossom of mango that you can easily find at the base of the mango tree. Then extract the juice and add it to an equal portion of mustard oil. Place a few drops of the mixture in the aggrieved ear. The treatment will make the pimple burst, and clear out all the pus.
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly – To prevent hardened earwax building up in the ear, apply a light coat of Vaseline petroleum jelly inside the opening of both your ears. This lubricant keeps the wax moist, making it easy for it to fall off.
Garlic/Onion Juice – This is a popular natural remedy for ear infections. Add two to three drops of either garlic or onion juice in the affected ear, and then lie down on your side for at least ten minutes. The juice will disinfect the pimple and its surroundings.
Vinegar & Turmeric – Make a compress with one teaspoon of milk cream, half teaspoon of vinegar, and a pinch of turmeric powder. Use the compress in the affected ear; it helps in ripening the pimple.
How to Get Rid of a Pimple in Ear
Natural Treatment
Step 1: Feel the Pimple to Determine its Position
You should never, under any circumstances, touch the inner of your ear with dirty or non-sterilized fingernails. Usually, dirty fingers will aggravate the situation. Use your clean fingers to locate the pimple and feel its size.
Step 2: Disinfect the Pimple
The very first thing that you have to do is disinfect the pimple by wiping it with alcohol or surgical spirit. Apart from cleaning the blemish, you will be preventing it from infection. Obtain a cotton bud and dip one side in alcohol or spirit, then use it to gently rub the pimple.
Step 3: Clean the Surrounding Area with Disinfectant
Use a disinfectant to clean the area around the blemish. Use a swab coated in antiseptic or a cotton ball. Clean thee pimple and its environs with warm water, and do not forget to use natural soap. Make sure the soap is made up of salicylic acid (a component that unclogs pores).
Step 4: Apply Medicinal Cream
Instead of popping the pimple right away, you can opt to apply acne cream to the blemish, which will help minimize the pimple. You can also wipe the pimple with ointment gel. Antiseptics and ointment gels will help heal the pimple naturally. However, you may need to extract the blemish altogether.
How to Pop a Pimple in Your Ear
Experts in ear infections do discourage people from popping pimples situated on the ear canal or behind the ear. By doing so, you can easily worsen the condition. However, with assistance and the right tools, you can easily pop a pimple without causing yourself any serious damages. The following simple steps will help you.
Step 1: Obtain your pimple removal kit. Use alcohol to sterilize the tools. Then wash your hands with hot water and soap before handling the tools.
Step 2: Use the pimple extractor, and gradually apply pressure to the base of the pimple. Whoever is executing the process should do it gently, so that you do not feel pain. The pressing should be stopped if the pimple refuses to open up. Give it a few days before you try again.
Step 3: However, if the pimple opens, apply more pressure, until the abscess pops out. Immediately rub the opening and the surrounding area with diluted tea tree oil, witch hazel, or alcohol. Place and hold the ear pad until bleeding stops.
Step 4: Rub the area with acne cream followed by ointment gel. Be careful when dealing with large pimples, because they usually result into a sizable wound once the abscess is removed. Rub such a wound with hydrogen peroxide to disinfect.
Step 5: If the pimple was sore before extraction, you should rub the wound with a hot compress and hold for at least a couple of minutes. If you experience unending pain after abscess extraction, consult your physician. Chances are that the wound may be infected.
How to Prevent Ear Furuncles and Infections
- Avoid the tendency of poking the ear canal with towels, cotton tips, and unclean fingernails. These foreign objects do usually transmit bacteria into the canal leading to the formation of furuncles.
- You might have witnessed your relative or friend using cotton bud to clean the ears. You should avoid doing so, because you might irritate, scratch, or push the wax to the eardrum leading to unnecessary damage of the ear.
- Determine whether or not your ears are sensitive to specific soaps, shampoos, and natural oils, among other ointments. Do not place vegetable or natural oils into the ear if you have sensitive ears.
- Avoid regular swimming during winter and hot summer; you may end up getting swimmer’s ear, which leads to the formation of furuncles. If you must swim, do it in a well-maintained pool, but not frequently. Let your ears dry naturally after swimming.
- A cold can often bring on an ear infection. Therefore, strengthen your immune system by ensuring that you eat healthy meals, drink lots of water, get enough rest, and avoid touching your fingers with dirty hands.
Ear Care
As mentioned earlier, one of the main causes of pimple in the ear is poor ear hygiene. We have a tendency of using cotton buds to remove excess wax. However, in the process of doing so you may end up introducing bacteria in the canal leading to the formation of a blemish. To be able to avoid the habit of sticking cotton pads into your ear with the excuse of cleaning excess wax, you need to learn how to do it the right way. Manufactured by glands in the ear canal, earwax usually lubricates the skin, traps dust and dirt, and zone off bacteria. Nevertheless, superfluous earwax can clog the canal causing itching, swelling, and redness. Failure to remove excess wax may cause it to harden, forming a plug adjacent to the eardrum.
If you fail to clean your ears properly, you will experience the following symptoms, which may trigger the formation of ear pimple:
- Itching or drainage from the ear canal
- Ringing in the ear
- Plugged or fullness sensation
- Ear pain
- Dizziness
- Decreased hearing
How to Remove Earwax
You need a few items to properly clean your ear with, instead of using sharp objects, including hydrogen peroxide, clean towel, a cup, and water.
Step 1: Lay down comfortably on your side, but it has to be a flat surface
Step 2: Place the clean towel around your neck so that you do not make a mess of the surrounding
Step 3: Pour the hydrogen peroxide in your first ear, and be careful not to overfill it. Wait for the ear to stop bubbling
Step 4: Get the cup and put the rim beneath your earlobe, slowly sit up to drain your ear. You can choose to rinse the ear with water
Step 5: Repeat the entire process on the other ear
Never insert a cotton pad in your ear to remove wax from the canal, because the pad will push the wax further into the ear canal. The swab can significantly puncture the eardrum. Under no circumstances should you insert a pencil tip, paper clip, or bobby pin into your ear. Doing so does not only risk tearing your eardrum, but it also introduces bacteria that lead to the formation of furuncles. As far as the don’ts are concerned, you should never introduce any kind of sharp objects in your ear in the desperate attempt of removing earwax.
In Conclusion
Pimple in ear is a condition that you can easily prevent or treat. Poor hygiene is the leading cause of most ear infections. Normally, you are the one who introduces bacteria into the ear through foreign objects, such as corner of towels and dirty cotton buds. You have two options as far as treating an ear pimple is concerned. You can choose to sterilize the pimple and allow it to heal naturally, or you can use extraction tools to remove the abscess.
