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What is the best way to get rid of a lump in my earlobe?
Earlobe lumps are most commonly caused by cysts that are completely benign in nature. There are two main techniques for treating lumps in the ear lobe:
- Surgical excision of the whole cyst and its lining
- Needle aspiration to remove the contents of the cyst
The best treatment for getting rid of an earlobe cyst involves a quick surgical procedure performed under a local anaesthetic. An injection of local anaesthetic will first be administered to the lump in the earlobe, followed by making a small incision to expose the cyst and complete removal. Fluctuant cysts are often suggestive of internal fluid, and sometimes, this can be effectively drained with a needle and syringe without the need for a surgical incision. Complete surgical removal of the cyst and its internal lining reduces the chances of recurrence. Needle aspiration of earlobe cysts is quick and easy to do, although this treatment method will likely result in the cyst returning.
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Lumps in earlobes
Most benign cysts in the earlobes go away on their own, but it is important to be aware of any changes in the shape of the cyst or if there are any associated features, such as bleeding or crusting of the overlying skin. In these cases, we recommend consulting with a specialist sooner for an accurate diagnosis.
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What causes an earlobe cyst to form?
A cyst is a well-defined soft tissue lump most commonly composed of thick white proteinaceous material. Skin cells normally proliferate and migrate towards the skin’s surface before they are shed. In some cases, these skin cells can migrate into the deeper layers of the skin and compose the cyst lining just beneath the epidermal layer. Cysts can also develop if the most superficial part of a hair follicle becomes disrupted. Another name for cysts is epidermal inclusion cysts or epidermoid cysts. Cyst removal is one of the many types of skin lesion removal treatments at Centre for Surgery in London.
Epidermoid cysts occur more commonly in men than in women, although anyone of any age or gender can develop an earlobe cyst. There are certain risk factors which may increase the likelihood of epidermal inclusion cysts occurring, including:
- Injury to the skin – soft tissue injury may result in abnormal skin healing and healthy skin cells can migrate into the deeper layers of the skin leading to the formation of a cyst.
- Genetics—Several rare medical conditions are present from birth. They are associated with an increased likelihood of developing systems, including Gardener syndrome, which is also associated with multiple polyposis in the large intestine.
- Age: Earlobe cysts are most common in men and rare in childhood, although puberty increases the risk of developing cysts.
- Acne – patients who suffer from acne are at higher risk of developing cysts beneath the skin and this is particularly likely in severe cases of acne, also known as cystic acne.
What are the symptoms and signs of earlobe cysts?
Earlobe cysts, also known as epidermoid cysts, most commonly appear as well-defined soft tissue lumps just beneath the skin of the earlobe. Although they most commonly match the colour of the overlying skin, they may occasionally become inflamed and appear red.
Earlobe cysts usually measure no more than 5 to 6 mm in diameter. A sudden increase in size should prompt you to have a clinical assessment with a doctor to rule out anything more serious. Cysts often rupture spontaneously by leaking a proteinaceous thick white substance known as keratin. In most cases, cysts in the earlobe are harmless and seen as a cosmetic nuisance for most people with them. In some cases, an earlobe cyst may become acutely painful and tender, which may suggest an infected cyst, and this will require a further medical assessment to guide the best treatment.
Painful earlobe
An infected cyst often presents as a painful and acutely tender lump in the earlobe with redness of the overlying skin. An infected earlobe cyst may sometimes burst and result in the formation of skin boil or furuncle.
What causes a lump in the earlobe to form?
Normal shedding of superficial skin cells may sometimes be altered due to an injury to the skin, which may result in the superficial skin cells migrating deeper into the skin. When these cells proliferate, they compose the cyst wall lining and produce a proteinaceous white substance known as keratin, which expands the size of the cyst. Earlobe cysts may also occur due to injury to superficial hair follicles or sebaceous glands and often have a hereditary link, which is more common in first-degree relatives. In many cases, a lump in the earlobe may form without any obvious precipitating cause and, in virtually all cases, is harmless in nature. Removal of earlobe lumps may often be combined with an earlobe repair. People with large earlobes can have these reduced as part of an earlobe reduction procedure.
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When is the best time to seek medical attention for an earlobe cyst or lump in the earlobe?
Most cases of lumps in the earlobe are due to the development of an epidermoid cyst and will often go away on their own without any active treatment. Any persistent or sudden change in size in earlobe cysts should prompt you to seek a medical assessment to rule out more serious underlying causes. Typical features that should trigger a medical referral include a significant change in the size of the earlobe cyst, an increase in pain or discomfort, overlying skin changes, or interference with hearing and balance.
Will my earlobe lump go away on its own?
Earlobe cysts that are benign in nature often go away on their own, but the time taken for this to occur will vary between people and several factors. In some cases, earlobe cysts will persist and will require surgical removal. It is important to monitor the size of any lump in your earlobe, and if it is not reducing in size on its own, then we would advise booking a consultation at Centre for Surgery to remove it.
What is the best way to get rid of a cyst in the earlobe?
Many people may attempt DIY treatment at home and try to squeeze the earlobe cyst themselves manually. We would advise against this because the risk of infection and prominent scarring is significantly increased. The risk of recurrence is also much higher. Applying a hot towel against your earlobe is better to promote skin vasodilation and facilitate spontaneous cyst rupture. The best way to eliminate a persistent ear cyst that will not go away on its own is with a simple surgical procedure to remove the earlobe lump using a local anaesthetic. Complete surgical removal of an earlobe cyst and its lining will minimise the risk of future recurrence. Needle aspiration is an alternative treatment to empty the cyst of keratin. Although this is a quick, non-surgical procedure, the likelihood of occurrence is high. Most earlobe cysts are benign and do not have cancerous potential.
Why does the lump in my earlobe hurt?
Any significant change in the size of the cyst with an increase in pain and discomfort with disruption of hearing should prompt an urgent assessment with a medical specialist to achieve an early and accurate diagnosis.
What is the best way to eliminate a lump in my ear lobe piercing?
Earlobe piercings are an increasingly popular trend, and lumps can commonly develop on the earlobe at any point after having an ear piercing treatment. Some people are prone to developing excessive scarring, known as hypertrophic scars or keloid scars. Keloid scars extend beyond the margins of the ear piercing, resulting in the appearance of a rounded lump and may be evident to others. Earlobe keloids do not go away independently and will require surgical treatment to resolve them. The ideal treatment involves surgical removal combined with a steroid injection into the keloid to minimise the likelihood of recurrence. Keloids affecting the earlobe are more common in darker-skinned people.
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