Pimples near the ears
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Pimples near the ears are skin lesions that appear in the area of the auricle, in front of the ear, behind the ear, or along the jawline. They most often have the character of inflammatory acne lesions, such as papules, pustules, or comedones, but in some cases they may also be associated with folliculitis, epidermal cysts, or dermatological diseases. The skin in this area contains numerous sebaceous glands, which is why it is prone to excessive sebum production and the development of inflammatory lesions. Pimples near the ears can be sporadic or recurrent and often coexist with facial acne. In diagnosis, it is important to determine their cause, because the choice of appropriate dermatological and skincare management depends on it.
Pimples near the ears – what do they mean
The appearance of pimples near the ears most often indicates a local inflammatory process within the pilosebaceous unit, that is, a structure consisting of a hair follicle and the sebaceous gland adjacent to it. These lesions may be solitary or multiple and can take various clinical forms.
The most commonly observed are:
- open and closed comedones – non-inflammatory lesions that develop due to blockage of the hair follicle opening,
- inflammatory papules – small, red elevations of the skin,
- pustules – lesions containing purulent material,
- deep inflammatory nodules – painful lesions that can lead to scarring.
Location near the ears may be associated with the so-called mandibular-temporal zone, which in many people is particularly prone to the development of acne lesions. In some cases, pimples appearing in this area may also be related to:
- skin irritation from cosmetics or hair-styling products,
- mechanical pressure (e.g., headphones, mobile phone),
- folliculitis caused by bacteria.
Less often, lesions near the ears may resemble pimples but in reality be epidermoid cysts (sebaceous cysts), which develop as a result of obstruction of the duct of a sebaceous gland.
In the case of recurrent or painful lesions, dermatological diagnostics are necessary, because a similar picture may also be caused by other dermatoses, including acne conglobata, folliculitis, or cutaneous abscesses.
Pimples near the ears – causes
The development of pimples around the ears results from several interacting biological mechanisms. The most important of these are excessive sebum production, disorders of follicular keratinization, and proliferation of the bacterium Cutibacterium acnes.
The most common causes of their appearance are:
1. Excessive activity of the sebaceous glands
Sebaceous glands in the temple and jaw area produce sebum, which protects the skin from drying out. When its production is too high, it can lead to blockage of hair follicle openings and the formation of acne lesions.
2. Hormonal disorders
Androgen hormones stimulate sebum production. Therefore pimples in this area often appear:
- during adolescence,
- before menstruation,
- in hormonal disorders (e.g., polycystic ovary syndrome),
- during periods of stress.
3. Mechanical and environmental factors
The skin around the ears is exposed to constant friction and contact with various objects. Factors that favor the formation of lesions include:
- using in-ear or over-ear headphones,
- frequent contact of the skin with a mobile phone,
- pressure from eyeglass frames,
- wearing hats or headbands.
Friction and pressure can lead to the so-called acne mechanica, i.e., acne caused by chronic irritation of the skin.
4. Cosmetics and hair products
Hair styling products, conditioners or oils can run onto the skin around the ears and cause blockage of the sebaceous gland openings. This particularly applies to comedogenic cosmetics.
5. Disturbances of the skin microbiome
An excessive proliferation of Cutibacterium acnes or staphylococcal bacteria can lead to inflammation of the hair follicles, which manifests as pustules and painful inflammatory lesions.
Less often, pimples in this area may be associated with:
- inadequate skin hygiene,
- excessive sweating,
- dermatological diseases accompanied by inflammation of the hair follicles.
Pimples near the ears – treatment
Treatment of pimples near the ears depends primarily on their cause, severity and the type of skin lesions. In most cases, a dermatological approach is used, including topical therapy, appropriate skin care and – if necessary – dermatological or cosmetological procedures.
Topical treatment
In the treatment of inflammatory lesions, preparations containing substances with the following actions are most often used:
- keratolytic – e.g. salicylic acid or azelaic acid, which unblock hair follicle openings,
- antibacterial – e.g. benzoyl peroxide,
- anti-inflammatory – topical retinoids that normalize the keratinization process of the epidermis.
In some cases a dermatologist may also recommend topical antibiotics or systemic therapy.
Skin care
An important element of therapy is proper skin care in the area around the ears and the jawline. It is recommended to:
- use gentle cleansing products that do not disrupt the hydrolipidic barrier,
- avoid comedogenic cosmetics,
- regularly cleanse the skin after using hair styling products,
- disinfect the surfaces of mobile phones and headphones.
You should also avoid squeezing lesions, as this can lead to worsening inflammation, bacterial infection and scar formation.
Dermatological and cosmetological procedures
In the case of recurrent or treatment-resistant lesions, adjunctive procedures supporting acne therapy are also used. Their aim is to reduce sebaceous gland activity, reduce bacteria and accelerate skin regeneration.
Methods used in aesthetic dermatology include, among others:
- chemical peels using dermatological acids,
- laser therapy, including procedures using lasers with anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects,
- LED light therapy,
- skin-cleansing treatments performed by a cosmetologist.
In aesthetic medicine facilities, such as Ambasada Urody Clinic & Spa, various technologies supporting the treatment of acne lesions are used, aimed at reducing inflammation, improving skin quality and preventing the formation of new lesions.
If pimples near the ears are large, painful or persist for a long time, a dermatological consultation is necessary, as they may require more advanced treatment or differential diagnosis.
