Pimples Behind The Ears Causes, 6 Home Remedies, and Prevention Tips

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Dr. Jyoti Gupta is a board-certified (IADVL) dermatologist specializing in cosmetic, laser, and hair transplant surgery. She has done over 1000 hair transplant surgeries and 3000 aesthetic procedures and is renowned for using minimal combin... more

  • What Causes Pimples Behind Ears?
  • Home Remedies To Treat Pimples Behind Ears
  • Prevention Tips

What Causes Pimples Behind Ears?

Pimples occur when the skin pores get clogged by dead cells and are infected by microbes.

Other factors that may contribute to this condition include:

  • Poor hygiene habits
  • Excessively dry or humid weather conditions
  • Friction due to spectacles
  • Ingrown hair
  • Ear piercing
  • Comedogenic cosmetics
  • Diet (sugary foods, especially, which can aggravate acne)

Pimples behind your ears can be quite painful, and you would want to treat them quickly. Though medical attention could be important in certain cases, the following home remedies may help supplement your treatment. Make sure you consult your doctor to understand which remedy may work for you.

Home Remedies To Treat Pimples Behind Ears

1. Cold Compress

Studies show that repeated application of an ice pack/cold compress helps treat inflammation. It can achieve this by constantly drawing out heat from the skin (1). This can help reduce inflammation behind the ear.

2. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil possesses antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties (2). These properties may help fight the microbes that cause the pimples.

3. Egg White And Honey

Anecdotal evidence suggests that egg whites reduce the size of skin pores and tighten the skin. This could help improve skin appearance. Honey has antibacterial properties (3). These properties may help fight the pimple-causing bacteria.

4. Yogurt And Oatmeal

Oatmeal has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (4). It was found to be useful in treating acne eruptions. Though more studies are needed to understand the efficacy of oatmeal in this regard, you may use it for pimple treatment.

Yogurt contains probiotics that may help reduce acne (5).

5. Garlic

Garlic contains antimicrobial properties (6). These may help fight the pimple- causing bacteria and soothe the infected skin.

6. Citrus Juice

All citrus fruits are rich sources of vitamin C. Applying citrus juice to your pimple can help reduce inflammation and protect against the pimple-causing bacteria (7).

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1 to 2 times daily.

These remedies may help treat the pimples behind your ears. But if your condition persists, consult a doctor immediately. In the following section, we have discussed what you can do to prevent the recurrence of pimples behind the ears.

Prevention Tips

These prevention tips can help promote overall skin health. The remedies discussed in the article may offer relief, but none of them are backed by concrete scientific research.

When To See A Doctor

If the pimples grow larger and become more painful, please visit your healthcare provider immediately. Test for any underlying condition and ask for the prescribed medications. Prompt action can help resolve the issue at the earliest.

Pimples behind the ears, most often, do not pose any serious threat. The right treatment can help ease the pain and symptoms in a matter of days. But should your symptoms persist or get worse, ensure you visit your nearest hospital. In some rare cases, these little lumps could be a sign of an underlying condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does shampoo cause acne?

If the shampoo you use is comedogenic, it may clog your skin pores. This can lead to acne lesions over time.

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