Swollen Earlobe: Pictures, Causes, And Treatment

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhy are my earlobes swollen?

Medically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP — Written by Jon Johnson — Updated on April 28, 2025

Causes
Piercings
Allergic reaction or contact dermatitis
Injury
Bug bite
Cellulitis
Abscess
Boil or carbuncle
Cyst
Poisonous plants
Cauliflower ear
Swimmer's ear
Mastoiditis
Treatment and home remedies
When to contact a doctor
Prevention
FAQ
Summary

A swollen earlobe is typically caused by damage or a reaction of the earlobe. Bacteria and other germs may get into the earlobe through a cut or piercing and result in an infection, or it may also be due to an allergic reaction.

A person can treat swollen earlobes with home remedies and over-the-counter medications, but some causes may require urgent medical care.

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Causes

Swollen earlobes can be the result of several circumstances, including:

Piercings

Piercings are a common cause of swelling in the earlobes. A new piercing is an open wound, and swelling is part of the body’s natural reaction to any damage. Most people with pierced ears will notice pain and swelling for up to a week, sometimes more.

People with gauges or plugs in their ears may notice swelling each time they stretch the ear. Infected ear piercings can also cause the earlobe to swell, even if the person has had a piercing for many years.

People should see a doctor if their symptoms persist for over two weeks or are severe. If a piercing is infected, a person should remove the earring or other item and treat the infection with antibiotics.

Allergic reaction or contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is another common cause of a swollen earlobe. It is typically caused by a skin allergic reaction to some types of jewelry. As the skin is exposed to the jewelry more, contact dermatitis can develop over time.

Nickel earrings, as well as other non-hypoallergenic metals, may cause one or both earlobes to swell. Avoiding jewelry that contains irritants can help prevent symptoms and allow the ears to heal.

The skin on the ears can also react to lotion, perfume, or another body product. These reactions can make the skin inflamed and itchy. It may also start to flake or shed and look very dry.

Keeping track of what products cause their symptoms can help a dermatologist determine the ingredient that causes the reaction.

Injury

A minor injury or trauma may be enough to irritate and inflame the earlobe because bacteria can enter the body. Common injuries include:

pulling too hard on an earring
wearing weighty earrings
wearing earrings that are too big for the piercing
cuts and scrapes to the earlobe
an ear piercing ripping through the earlobe
getting hit on the ear with a ball or other object during sports

An injured earlobe may swell and be painful or tender to the touch.

Bug bite

A mysterious swelling in the ear that appears overnight may be a bug bite or insect sting.

Sometimes, a person can see a visible bite or dot at the center of the swelling. Bug bites may cause other symptoms, including itching and pain.

Oral antihistamines or hydrocortisone creams can help relieve symptoms of a bug bite.

If the symptoms get worse or spread to the neck, face, or throat, a person should seek immediate medical attention, as they may have an allergic reaction.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a type of bacterial infection of the skin. It can be painful and cause the skin to become inflamed and swollen.

An earlobe affected with cellulitis may be tender and hot to the touch. Cellulitis can spread to the bloodstream or other tissues, requiring medical attention.

Abscess

An abscess is a bump on or under the skin filled with pus. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection.

Other symptoms of an abscess can vary, but they include pain and swelling. Sometimes, a person may experience a fever, nausea, and drainage from the area. An abscess can get worse if left untreated.

Boil or carbuncle

A boil is an infection around a hair follicle that fills with pus under the skin’s surface. A carbuncle is a group of boils.

Boils are painful when touched and can cause swelling.

In some cases, but not all, a person may experience the following symptoms:

aches
fever
fatigue
oozing or discharge

Cyst

A sebaceous cyst can also cause a swollen earlobe. Cysts are pockets in the skin that fill with semiliquid material. Depending on the type, cysts may fluctuate in size.

Cysts may be uncomfortable and often require medical drainage to heal completely.

Poisonous plants

Contact with a poisonous plant, such as poison ivy, poison oak, or sumac, may cause swelling in the earlobe.

Poisonous plants can cause other symptoms in the affected area, including:

a rash
stinging
itching
blisters

If a person scratches the affected area, they could get a secondary bacterial infection if the skin breaks.

Cauliflower ear

Cauliflower ear, or auricular hematoma, appears after blunt trauma to the ear’s structure. This is not an injury of the earlobe specifically but is usually closer to the ear’s helix.

The injury is commonly associated with boxers and mixed martial artists who regularly take hits to the head.

These types of injuries cause blood to pool in the outer ear. If a doctor does not drain the ear after the injury, it can become deformed and have a rough, lumpy appearance.

The area may also be painful and bruised and can become infected.

Swimmer’s ear

Otitis externa, commonly known as swimmer’s ear, is an ear canal infection that may spread toward the earlobe and cause swelling.

Additional symptoms include:

inflammation
pain
tenderness
itching just inside the ear
drainage
muffled hearing
a clogged sensation in the ears
tenderness

Mastoiditis

The mastoid bone is the spongy bone of the inner ear. Mastoiditis is an infection in this bone that may cause the ear to swell.

Other symptoms include:

fever or chills
headache
drowsiness
pain and irritation
irritability or mood changes
loss of hearing

In some cases, discharge may drain from the infected ear.

A person can take antibiotics to prevent the condition from becoming dangerous to their health. However, if a person leaves mastoiditis untreated, it could become life threatening.

Treatment and home remedies

Treatment for a swollen earlobe depends on the underlying cause. People with a swollen earlobe due to an allergic reaction should avoid allergens in the future. This can include nickel jewelry.

A person should see a doctor if their symptoms become severe. Infections or other issues caused by bacteria usually require treatment with antibiotics.

A doctor should diagnose adequately and recommend the proper treatment to avoid possible complications.

Some home remedies may also help reduce symptoms.

Home remedies for a swollen earlobe include:

Warm or cold compresses: A cold compress can help numb the pain, and a warm compress may increase circulation in the area to help reduce swelling. A warm compress can also help drain the abscess drain better.
Remove jewelry: If a piercing has an infection, remove the jewelry from the piercing.
Over-the-counter pain medications: Drugs for pain and inflammation, such as ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and naproxen (Aleve), can reduce pain and swelling.
Antihistamines: Oral or topical antihistamines can help reduce the symptoms of bug bites and allergic reactions. Calamine lotion may also soothe rashes.
Astringents: Astringents, such as witch hazel, may help constrict the tissues and reduce swelling in the earlobe. A person should not apply it to broken skin.
Tea tree oil: This essential oil may speed up wound healing and fight off bacteria. However, a person should not apply it to broken skin.

When to contact a doctor

Home remedies quickly and effectively treat a swollen earlobe. However, if home remedies do not reduce swelling or other symptoms, a person should see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

If swelling or other symptoms worsen, a person may need medical treatment, such as antibiotics. A person should treat infections as soon as possible to avoid complications.

If a person experiences swelling on the earlobe in addition to symptoms of a severe allergic reaction from a sting, such as hives and difficulty breathing, they should seek emergency medical attention.

Prevention

To help prevent a swollen earlobe, people should avoid known allergens, such as perfumed products or certain metals. They should also regularly clean their ears and free them from excess oil and dirt.

People should avoid putting objects into the ear canal, including their fingers, as this can cause damage.

It is vital for a person to care for any injuries to the earlobe, as some underlying conditions can cause hearing loss without treatment.

A swollen earlobe can be easy to treat with home remedies. Other cases may require medical intervention, but seeking advice early can help prevent potentially serious complications.

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean if the earlobe is swollen?

A swollen earlobe may mean the ear has an infection or an underlying condition such as cellulitis.

What does an infected earlobe look like?

A swollen earlobe may have symptoms such as swelling, inflammation, discoloration, heat to touch, or pus.

What helps ear swelling go down?

Home remedies such as a cold compress and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen may help swelling go down.

Summary

A swollen earlobe can stem from a variety of reasons, such as bacterial infections, cysts, boils, an infected piercing, or underlying conditions such as cellulitis.

A person can treat a swollen earlobe with home remedies, such as medication or cold compresses. However, other cases may require medical intervention.

Dermatology
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Antihistamines. (2023).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antihistamines/
Boils and carbuncles: Learn more – How are boils treated? (2022).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513136/
Contact dermatitis: Diagnosis and treatment. (2021).https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/contact-dermatitis#treatment
Brown BD, et al. (2023). Cellulitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549770/
Khan N, et al. (2024). Pinna perichondritis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572081/
Lofgran T, et al. (2023). Toxicodendron toxicity.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557866/
Luddman P. (2021). Eczema types: Contact dermatitis tips for managing.https://www.aad.org/contact-dermatitis-tips
Medina-Blasin Y, et al. (2023). Otitis externa.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556055/
NSAIDs. (2022).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nsaids/
Patel BC, et al. (2024). Cauliflower ear.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29261905/
Pastorino A, et al. (2023). Incision and drainage.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556072/
Preslar D, et al. (2023). Body piercing infections.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537336/
Sahi D, et al. (2023). Mastoiditis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560877/
Zito PM, et al. (2023). Epidermoid cyst.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499974/

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Medically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP — Written by Jon Johnson — Updated on April 28, 2025

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