Table of contents:
- What are the causes of hot ears?
- 1. Emotions and body reactions
- 2. Sunburned
- 3. Skin infections
- 4. Pericondritis
- 5. Seborrheic eczema
- 6. Red ear syndrome
- 7. Erythermalgia
- 8. Ear infection
- How to deal with hot ears?
You can feel hot ears suddenly and may create confusion. This condition can be caused by a variety of things, from general body reactions to signs of a disease. So, is hot ears a condition to watch out for? Check out the following explanation.
What are the causes of hot ears?
Hot ears, either on the right or left, are a symptom you feel when you have certain conditions. These symptoms often appear together with other symptoms, such as redness, swelling, and pain.
The causes of this condition also range from trivial things to rare conditions. The following are some of the possible causes of hot ears:
1. Emotions and body reactions
Emotions of embarrassment, anger, or panic are the most common causes of sudden burning and redness in the ears. This occurs due to increased blood flow to the ear area.
Ears can also turn red in response to changes in temperature (either cold to hot, or vice versa), alcohol consumption, after exercise, and hormonal changes due to menopause or after chemotherapy. Apart from burning, your ears can also turn red.
2. Sunburned
Exposure to sunlight for a long period of time can cause the skin of the ear and surrounding areas to become reddish and feel like burning. Other symptoms of sunburn include burning, soreness, and pain when touched. In more severe cases, the skin can even blister and peel from sunburn.
Usually, the ears become hot and red, several hours after being exposed to the sun. Within a few days, your ears and skin may heal on their own. However, sunburn or severe sunburn may take longer to heal.
3. Skin infections
The presence of an infection of the skin can also be one of the causes of red, hot, and painful ears. One of the conditions that can cause these symptoms is cellulitis which is caused by a bacterial infection.
Bacteria can enter the body through wounds, insect bites, and dry skin and cause disease. Apart from causing burning in the ears, this condition can also make the ears swell. Not only that, cellulitis can also cause fatigue, fever, and chills.
4. Pericondritis
Perichondritis is an infection of the skin and tissue around the cartilage of the outer ear. This condition is usually caused by an injury to the ear, such as:
- Ear surgery
- Ear piercing
- Sports injury
- Trauma to the side of the head
Symptoms that result from pericondritis include hot, sore, and swollen ears. Redness usually surrounds the injured area, such as a cut or scrape. In addition, you may also experience a fever.
5. Seborrheic eczema
Seborrheic eczema or seborrheic dermatitis can cause redness in the ear skin. Seborrheic eczema is characterized by itchy and scaly red patches on the scalp and back, as well as on the face. Not infrequently, this condition also causes the ear to feel burning.
Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, the signs and symptoms of seborrheic eczema can be more severe if you are stressed. In addition, itching to heat on the surface of the skin may also recur in cold, dry weather.
Generally, the cause of seborrheic eczema is unknown. This is still thought to be related to genetics and the interaction of the immune system with organisms that live on the skin.
6. Red ear syndrome
Red ear syndrome or red ear syndrome is a rare condition only described in 1994. The Journal of Headache and Pain states that the disease is not yet clearly defined.
Red ear syndrome is characterized by ear pain, redness, and heat. These symptoms can appear several times a day. Sometimes, the signs and symptoms of red ear syndrome appear every few days.
7. Erythermalgia
Another rare condition that can cause your ears to feel like burning is erythermalgia. This condition is characterized by erythema, pain, and burning sensation in the neck, face, ears, and even the scrotum.
These symptoms can last for hours, even days. Hot weather can make this condition worse and can be treated with cold compresses.
8. Ear infection
Hot ears are a symptom of ear infections. Apart from burning ears, ear infections can also cause many other symptoms, such as:
- Hearing loss
- Discharge from the ear
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Nausea and vomiting
Ear infections are a condition that can occur in children and adults. If you experience symptoms of an ear infection, contact your doctor immediately.
How to deal with hot ears?
The way to deal with red ears varies, based on the cause. If it is caused by excessive sun exposure, you can apply aloe vera gel or take a pain reliever such as ibuprofen.
You can also apply a cold compress to the red and hot ear. If it is caused by an infection, the main treatment is with antibiotics.
Although it sounds trivial, this condition should not be ignored. Seek medical help immediately if your ear hurts, is painful when you press it, feels buzzing, especially if you bleed suddenly.
It is also important to seek medical care for a bacterial infection such as cellulitis, especially if the burning ear symptoms of the condition are accompanied by fever.
