That single, painful pimple in your ear might seem like a minor annoyance, but a top dermatologist warns that ignoring it can sometimes lead to a much more serious problem, like a painful abscess that requires medical attention.
The danger is a contained infection. A skin expert explains that the ear has a unique anatomy with a lot of cartilage and tight spaces. A simple infected hair follicle (folliculitis) or an inflamed pimple, if left untreated, can sometimes develop into a deeper, walled-off collection of pus known as an abscess.
An abscess is not a pimple. The dermatologist stresses that while a pimple is a small, superficial infection, an abscess is larger, deeper, and often much more painful. It will feel like a hard, tender lump under the skin and will not come to a head like a normal pimple. You should never try to squeeze or drain an abscess yourself.
The risk is higher in this specific location. The expert notes that because of the ear’s structure and the constant irritation from things like earbuds, infections in this area can be more stubborn. Trying to pop a pimple in your ear can also introduce more bacteria and push the infection deeper, increasing the risk of it turning into an abscess.
When to see a doctor is a critical decision. The dermatologist’s advice is clear: if you have a “pimple” in your ear that is becoming increasingly painful, is growing in size, feels like a hard lump, and is not resolving after a few days, you must see a doctor. They may need to professionally drain the abscess and prescribe antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading.