About Blackheads in the Ear
Blackheads are the name of small discolored lesions that at times appear on the surface of the skin. They usually are present on the face and neck but can appear at any place in the body. Blackheads are considered to be a mild form of acne but they do not have any other characteristic feature of this condition. Blackheads mainly consist of the oxidized form of melanin which is a pigment that is made by the cells of the skin. Studies suggest that around 50 million people in the United States have Blackheads. Treating it helps in prevention of severe forms of acne. When looking at it, Blackheads may present itself as if it contains dirt but in reality it is made of natural oils and dead cells of the skin [1].
These cells react with the oxygen from the atmosphere and become dark in color which is the natural color of a Blackhead. The medical term for a Blackhead is comedones. There are numerous ways to deal with Blackheads and for it the individual should seek a consultation with a dermatologist who can suggest the best treatment for it. While Blackheads are common on the face and neck, at times they can also appear in the ears. When this happens, it may be difficult to treat. Blackheads develop in the ear as a result of shampoo or dirt that has remained in the ear. This is quite common as ear is often overlooked by people and they do not tend to clean it thoroughly after showering [1].
This causes the skin pores to get clogged by these hair products resulting in formation of Blackheads. Trying out skin care products especially made to clear the clogged skin pores are quite effective in treating Blackheads in the ear. However, it is highly recommended to not try and treat Blackheads at home and let the dermatologist do the treatment. This article gives an overview of some of the ways to deal with Blackheads in the ear [1].
How To Deal With Blackheads in The Ear?
Blackheads in the ear normally develop in the outer ear. This is the part of the ear that plays a role in capturing sound, maintaining balance, and protects the inner part of the ear. This is the reason why it is important that proper care should be given to the outer ear so that the more sensitive inner parts of the ear stay protected. Some of the preferred ways to get rid of Blackheads in ears include using skincare products that have salicylic acid. There are a variety of skincare products that are mainly used for the face but can also be used to clear Blackheads in the ear [1].
Salicylic acid according to the American Academy of Dermatology is quite effective in treating Blackheads in the ear. It does so by clearing the clogs in the ear and treats the Blackheads. There are also a number of over the counter cleansers with salicylic acid that can also be effective in treating Blackheads in the ear. However, in some cases physicians prescribe something stronger to get rid of Blackheads in the ear. How salicylic acid helps in getting rid of Blackheads can be explained by the fact that it is a form of beta hydroxy acid and is an excellent Exfoliant. This means that salicylic acid has the ability to clean clogged skin pores without any need to be rubbed on to the skin surface [1].
However, salicylic acid contains aspirin and thus people with aspirin allergy should look for alternative forms of treatment for Blackheads in the ear. Caution should also be maintained in that these products should not get close to the ear canal as they can adversely affect this important part of the ear. It usually takes about a couple of weeks to see the effects of salicylic acid when it comes to treating Blackheads in the ear. People can also use this product on an everyday basis to prevent formation of Blackheads in the ear [1].
Extraction is yet another way to deal with Blackheads in the ear. This requires the services of a skilled dermatologist and should never be tried at home. The dermatologist will use special equipment to remove the debris clogging the pores and clean it off. This will remove the Blackheads but it does not guarantee that future recurrences will not occur. If this is tried at home it may lead to infection or inflammation with pain and can worsen the condition [1].
There are also certain ways which can help prevent Blackheads from forming. The best way is to keep the ears clean and it should be made a routine after having a bath. It should be done the way the face and other areas of the body are kept clean. It has been seen that people tend to overlook the ears when it comes to cleaning which is one of the major causes of formation of Blackheads. This is because it is difficult to see the presence of dirt or dead skin cells beyond a certain point in the ear which is the reason why it cannot be cleaned properly [1].
Using a hand held mirror can help an individual visualize deep within the ear and keep the out portion of the ear completely clean. While showering the individual can take a washcloth and clean the ear thoroughly, especially after removing any shampoo or soap left within the outer ear [1].
Exfoliating is yet another way to prevent formation of Blackheads in the ear. This process involves removal of dead skin cells from the clogged pores. This is the best way to prevent Blackheads from forming. However, it should be noted that this procedure should not be practiced too frequently as it can cause irritation of the skin. This process is done by rubbing the skin with facial scrubs which are coarse and removes dirt and debris effectively [1].
However, for the ears this form of treatment is not advised as the ear is far too delicate and using exfoliating agents can adversely affect the ears. Rubbing the skin with a washcloth is the best way to exfoliate the dead skin cells in the ear to manage Blackheads. The rough surface of the cloth will do the job that an exfoliating scrub does. It is also important to avoid touching the ear especially with dirty hands as the dirt can be transferred to the outer ear resulting in the formation of Blackheads [1].
In conclusion, it is quite a daunting task to get rid of Blackheads in the ear. However, if proper care is taken of the ears especially after a shower every day then it can be quite helpful in preventing Blackheads from forming in the ear. Blackheads form due to clogging of the pores of the skin surface with dead skin cells and natural oils produced by the body. The best way to deal with it is using cleansers that contain salicylic acid [1].
Salicylic acid is an excellent Exfoliant and helps in removing all the dirt and debris that may be clogging the skin pores and help in getting rid of Blackheads in the ears. However, caution should be maintained that these cleansers should not get too close to the inner ear and people with aspirin allergy should completely avoid using products containing salicylic acid [1].
The above mentioned simple methods should be good enough to manage Blackheads in the ear. However, if they prove to be ineffective then it is advisable to consult with a dermatologist and speak about alternative methods of managing Blackheads in the ear [1].
Also Read:
