Hello
This is something that happens to me a lot. In fact, I found this page because I have one hot ear as I'm writing and thought I might see what the net has. It started about 20 minutes ago. Today, I have done nothing, except some washing and a short trip to the shops, all of which was many hours ago. The last 4 hours I've been sitting, relaxed watching TV. I can find no common link that suggests a cause. For the last few months I have been paying attention to what's going on around me when either of my ears starts to get warm. It seems to be completely random. Once, a long time ago, when I had a girlfriend, I used to freak her out. Every time my left ear got hot, I'd ring her and asked what she wanted. She never could work out how I knew she wanted me for whatever reason. Unfortunatly, it couldn't be that easy. She is long gone (1999) and there has been no noticable change in my ears getting independantly hot. I guess she just thought of me alot. My doctor has no idea what causes it.
Thanks for your time, whoever reads this.
Derek

Oh my-I thought I was alone...
I have fibromyalgia... this happens to me when I get really angry, frustrated, excited or if I am really tired... Now, I noticed tonight that they got really red and burning hot while I was watching the Ranger game that went into overtime... we totally needed to win this game to move up the rankings to 5th... (Yes, we WON)... but I was really excited.. yelling at the TV, etc... yeah, I am a bit of a nut... But, I also noticed that I ate chicken pot pie for dinner, which had onions and carrots in it, so maybe food allergy? Maybe it's all coincidental? Oh well... Rangers won and I am happy... hopefully the ears calm down soon cause I want to go to sleep...

BE WELL
Amber

I don't know if anyone else reading these posts is reading just because they're interesting or because they're looking for a cause, but this is fascinating. I'm not the type to get red, hot ears ever, not even when I'm angry. The only time that happens is when I purposefully try to focus on them without looking in a mirror. I know that sounds weird, but when I think about my ears, they start to heat up, and if I focus on the heat on them, they just get hotter and eventually turn red even when I don't touch them. So, I was wondering how many other people can make their ears hot in a similar way and, if you can, do you notice any other physical, emotional, psychological or behavioral differences after you do?

I just recently started getting this condition...it has happened with both ears...not just the right or left. It gets uncomfortably hot, then I look in a mirror or ask my husband and it is always bright red and the other ear is normal in color. This to me is very strange. People here have talked about sunscreen, etc, but sun does not have anything to do with this. It happens acutely and then goes away. I just thought someone may know what it could be a symptom of. I have other health issues...fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc...but I've had those for almost 10 yrs now....any ideas other than the ones above? Thanks!
Mary Beth

Do you drive a car? Which ear is it? It is possible that, if it is your left ear, (Providing you are in the States) it is being exposed more to the direct rays of the sun while you are sitting in your car, causing severe sunburn? You did not mention how long this has been going on or whether it was painful. I hope my answer helps you.

Red ears can be indicative of various problems if you exclude the obvious....pressure placed on that ear or ears, sunburn, someone talking about you. If you think about it, more than likely there are other symptoms that could coincide with the red, hot ears. If arthritis, headaches occassionally, poor digestion, sleep problems (too much, tired all the time, can't get to sleep, etc.), and many more, there is a good possibility it is a bacterial infection. I have had these 'hot ears', so have my 6 children and husband. After a plethora of problems for years, we were finally ALL diagnosed with lyme disease! Food allergies, poor digestion, neck problems, back problems, etc. can ALL be just a part of lyme disease. Left untreated, the symptoms will continue to increase in number and intensity. Swollen lymph nodes can result as well due to a clogged lymphatic system. Lyme is extremely difficult to diagnose and the tests are mostly inaccurate.

blessings

s massie

I've gotten hot red ears since as long as i can remember! I'm always asking people if they are red or to touch them to see if they don't just feel hot to me.

To answer some other peoples comments...
It's not sunburn
or a sharp blow to the ear
or an infection or frostbite
or to do with my emotions

I get them while eating dinner, reading, watching tv, sleeping...and as i type this my right ear is having an episode haha.

Alot of things on the net about red ears say its a symptom of ADHD...but i know I dont have that.

My only cure is to wet a flannel and put it against your ear (or ears)

Yesss having them is annoying...but its nothing we cant deal with so everyone shoudl just chillout and embrace the heat (especially when its a cold day)

Peace!

My dad and I both get bright red ears that feel hot. I noticed it most recently when I was at the doctor and was in the waiting room. I was extremely anxious and nervous. When I finally got called back, my blood pressure was extremely high. After I spoke with the doctor and she calmed some of my fears about an unrelated issue, i noticed my ear was back to normal. She checked my blood pressure again and it was also back to normal. A few days later I went off my blood pressure medication and my red hot ear had returned! So I believe it is, in some cases, due to high blood pressure.

My son and grandson both have occasions when they have "hot ears" so badly that they have to put ice on their ears. When they first told me of this I had never heard of it before so I did a little research and found several possible causes of "hot ears", these include: lyme disease; food allegrys usually dairy products such as milk; fibromyalgia; high blood pressure; and one last one that is way out there- Old timers used to say that some people have an extra sensory ability ie. when their ears burn it is an indication that they will receive news or hear from someone on an important matter. Hince the old saying, someone must be talking about me my ears are burning.