One of my ears is bright red and hot. What is this, and what can I do about it?

Ear Redness


WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR


* The redness does not diminish after 24 hours.

* A sharp blow to your ear causes it to swell and turn red.

* You have an infected sore that is larger than 1/2 inch in diameter.

* The redness follows frostbite.

What Your Symptom Is Telling You

A red flag usually signals a warning. And a red ear can serve as your warning flag for a minor ear problem.

Some of the most common causes of red, inflamed ears are skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, says C. Warren Bierman, M.D., clinical professor and pediatrics chief in the Division of Allergy at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.

The other big cause of redness is an ear infection.

Scratching your ears with any kind of object—like a key or paper clip—can cause the infection, says Charles P. Kimmelman, M.D., professor of otolaryngology at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. And your earlobe can become infected after you've had your ears pierced. (It's also possible to have an allergic reaction to the metal in your earrings, which turns your earlobes red.) A boil-like infection near the ear canal can also be a source of swelling and redness, says Dr. Bierman.

Extremes of heat and cold can paint your ears red. Ears are a prime target for sunburn. And after briefly debuting in white, a frostbitten ear turns bright red and can be painful, says Dr. Kimmelman.

Finally, a sharp blow to the ear can make it turn red. (If it also swells, you can eventually get what's known as cauliflower ear.)

Symptom Relief

Keeping your ears out of the red and in the pink is easy if you follow these recommendations.

Eliminate that infection. If you've scratched your ear and started an infection, dab the sore area with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol and then apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment like bacitracin, says Dr. Kimmelman. If the sore is larger than 1Ž4 inch in diameter or fails to improve, see your doctor for further treatment, he says.

Screen yourself. You should wear sunscreen anytime you're out in the sun for more than a half-hour. And remember to put some on your ears. "The number one thing you can do to avoid sunburned ears is to use sunscreen that really blocks out the sun—SPF 30 or higher. Some people even use zinc oxide on their ears," says Dr. Bierman. Zinc oxide is a skin protectant that allows little or no sun to reach the skin.

Keep 'em covered. Follow the same rules for your ears in the winter that you do in the summer. Protect them from exposure to the elements.

Warm the bite out of frostbite. To help save your ear after frostbite, place a warm washcloth over your ear and see your doctor immediately, says Dr. Kimmelman. Warmth helps keep the tissues alive by increasing circulation, he says.

Go for the gold. If you've experienced what looks like an allergic reaction to your pierced earrings—redness and swelling around the piercing holes—try switching to gold or silver posts. Most allergic reactions come from exposure to nickel or chromium posts.

Get attention for injury. If you receive a sharp blow to the ear that causes redness and swelling, see your doctor for treatment. A cauliflower ear, left untreated, can become permanent.