How to Get Rid of Pimples Inside the Ear

Medically reviewed by Shari Forschen, NP, MA

Last Updated: June 24, 2021 References Approved

The skin of the ear is just like the skin on any other part of your body. It has pores which can become blocked, and these blocked pores often develop into painful, hard to reach bumps, or pimples. While they may be a little more difficult to reach or see, there are still a number of effective treatments you can use to get rid of pimples inside your ear.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Getting Rid of Pimples Medicinally

1
Touch the pimple with clean hands. Before touching the pimple, make sure that you wash your hands one to two times. Touching pimples with unclean hands can cause the pimples to get worse, since dirt and oil may further block your pores.
2
Wipe the pimple with alcohol. One way to start healing the pimple is to wipe it with an alcohol pad. This also helps keep it from getting infected and stops the spread of any infection.

Advertisement
3
Wash the pimple. Wash the area with the pimple with water as warm as you can stand it. Also use natural soap or an oil-free cleanser. This cleanser should contain Salicylic Acid, which helps unclog pores and heal pimples. For inside the ear, use a warm or hot washcloth or Q-tip to wash and massage the pimple. Don't rub the pimple; that can cause further irritation.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Be very careful when using the Q-tip — do not insert it into your ear canal. Only use it to swab the outside of your ear.
4
Apply acne cream. To help reduce the pimple, apply acne cream that includes two to 10% Benzoyl Peroxide. Let the cream dry on the pimple.^{[2]
X
Research source}
5
Let them heal naturally. Pimples in the ear are just like any other pimple. Ear pimples tend to be caused by a buildup of dirt, shampoo, and earwax. The key is to leave them alone and they will heal.
- Don't try to pop them, even if this is what you normally do with pimples. Aural pimples (pimples on the ear) are not only painful when squeezed, but if they are on the fleshy lobe of the ear or inside the ear, they can bleed for some time afterwards and cause more problems.^{[3]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting Rid of Pimples Naturally

1
Make a hot compress. A way to speed up the natural popping of the pimple is to use a hot compress. Wipe the pimple with alcohol. Cover the pimple with cellophane and secure. If you don't want to use cellophane, soak a washcloth in hot water, then squeeze out the excess water. Fold the cloth in half and place it over the pimple. Leave the compress on for 10 – 15 minutes. You can do this three to four times a day.
- This helps when you have a lot of painful inflammation.
2
Use black tea. Wet a black tea bag with hot water. Place the tea bag over the pimple and cover with a hot, wet washcloth. The tannins combined with the heat will help reduce inflammation.
3
Try milk. Milk has alpha hydroxy acids, which help unclog pores and remove dead skin. Soak a cotton ball in milk, then squeeze it. Wipe the milk along the pimple. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then wash the area with lukewarm water. You can repeat 3-4 times a day.
4
Use tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties that can kill the pimple causing bacteria. It also helps speed up the healing process. Spread the tea tree oil mixture on the pimple with a cotton ball.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Always dilute tea tree oil. Use one part tea tree oil with nine parts water. (So, if you use 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil, mix it with nine teaspoons of water.)
5
Apply aloe vera gel. Aloe vera has antibacterial properties that can help clear up pimples and reduce swelling. You can use the gel from the inside of an aloe vera leaf or gel from the supermarket. Apply the gel to the pimple and leave on for 20 minutes. Then rinse with lukewarm water. Repeat twice a day.
6
Try apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has antiseptic properties that can prevent infection and bacterial growth. It also helps shrink pores. Soak a cotton ball in vinegar and wipe it over the pimple. Leave it for about a minute, then rinse with water. Do this three to four times a day.
7
Make a saline solution. A saline solution can also help get rid of the pimple. Mix a teaspoon of Epsom salt with 1/2 cup of hot water, making sure the water dissolves. When the mixture has cooled some, use a cotton ball to spread the saline solution on the pimple. After it dries, rinse off. Repeat two to three times a day.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Ear Pimples

1
Wash your hands. One of the most common reasons for ear pimples is lack of hygiene. Touching your ears with unwashed hands can transfer oil and bacteria to the skin, which clogs the pores and causes pimples.
2
Clean your ears. Make sure to keep the shell of your ear, your earlobes, and behind your ear cleaned. Shampoo, gel, and other hair products can get on the ear and cause pimples. Use soap and water and clean when you shower or wash your face and hair.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Clean the inside of your ear when needed. Make sure to irrigate the ear with solution and don't use cotton swabs inside your ear.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
3
Wipe your ears after a shower. Wipe your ear after every shower. This is when the pores are slightly open, so you can remove excess oil and help reduce blackheads.^{[7]
X
Research source}
4
Wipe your telephone. Another common way of getting ear pimples is through the telephone. Wipe down your cell phone after use. It is especially important to wipe down a telephone if you share it with other people.
5
Clean your headphones. Since earbuds go into your ears, they can get caked with oil, earwax, and other dirt and grime. When earbuds are out of your ear, they can pick up dirt and other contaminants. When you place them back in your ears, that stuff transfers. Use an alcohol wipe to clean your earbuds after each use.
- If the pimple is in your external ear, don't use earphones until it is gone. This will aggravate the pimple. Wipe over it with an anti-bacterial wipe, since the pimple could return if your earphones are dirty.
6
See a doctor. If you get ear acne often, your ear is covered with black dots, or you have a zit that is draining fluid, you need to see your doctor. You also should see a doctor if your ear blemish is very painful and lasts longer than a week. They can give you something to help clear it up and determine if the underlying cause is hormonal.^{[8]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

Question

What do I do if my inner ear swells?

Shari Forschen, NP, MA
Master's Degree, Nursing, University of North Dakota
Shari Forschen is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in North Dakota. Shari has worked in healthcare since 1996 and her expertise lies in acute care bedside nursing on a medical oncology floor. She received her degree from Medcenter one College of Nursing in 2003 and her Family Nurse Practitioner Masters from the University of North Dakota in 2014. Shari is a member of the American Nurses Association.

Shari Forschen, NP, MA

Master's Degree, Nursing, University of North Dakota

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If your inner ear swells, I recommend seeing your doctor.
Question

Is it normal for liquid to come out of the ear?

Shari Forschen, NP, MA
Master's Degree, Nursing, University of North Dakota
Shari Forschen is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in North Dakota. Shari has worked in healthcare since 1996 and her expertise lies in acute care bedside nursing on a medical oncology floor. She received her degree from Medcenter one College of Nursing in 2003 and her Family Nurse Practitioner Masters from the University of North Dakota in 2014. Shari is a member of the American Nurses Association.

Shari Forschen, NP, MA

Master's Degree, Nursing, University of North Dakota

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Only if you have fluid in from shower or liquid from trying to dissolve ear wax. Normally liquid does not come out of ear unless you rupture an ear drum. If this is a case, see your doctor right away.