Though most people associate blackheads with facial blemishes, they also occur on other areas of the body, including ears. Essentially, a blackhead is a hair follicle or pore clogged with sebum, an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous gland. The clogged pore turns black when the sebum makes contact with the air. In some cases, blackheads evolve into a full-blown pimple, which is often more painful and takes longer to heal. The key to blackhead prevention is proper hygiene.
Step 1
Rinse the ear with lukewarm water. To prevent clogging your ears with water, use either a cotton swab or cotton ball soaked in water.
Step 2
Apply a small amount of mild liquid soap to the end of a clean cotton swab and distribute it along the ears ridges. Use your hands or a washcloth to apply soap to the exterior of the ear.
Step 3
Rinse the ear with water again, using the same process described in the Step 1.
Step 4
Pat dry the ear with a clean cotton ball or soft washcloth.
Step 5
Apply a mild topical acne ointment if your ear blackheads are persistent or stubborn. Your doctor may prescribe a more potent treatment if necessary.
Step 6
Repeat this process in the morning and evening, after heavy exercise and any time your ears come in contact with sunscreen, cosmetics or hair products.
Things You'll Need
- Water
- Cotton swabs
- Cotton balls
- Soap
- Washcloth
- Topical acne treatment
