What Does it Mean When Ears are Red

A few things can cause red ears, but it’s commonly associated with your skin flushing or blushing. Skin flushing can happen when it’s cold outside, or you feel embarrassed or shy.  However, if you have red ears all the time,  the flushing might be linked to several health conditions. 

Knowing when to be concerned about red ears and when you don’t need to worry is very helpful. Follow along as Hearing Associates of Las Vegas explains what it means when your ears are red.  

Bacterial Infection

Sometimes your ears might look red due to cellulitis or erysipelas. These conditions can also be secondary to skin infections or other skin irritants. You will need to look for other symptoms like fever, shivers, and swollen lymph nodes accompanying your red ears. 

Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medications can often deal with bacterial infections and secondary considerations.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

This condition causes itching and skin flakiness, as well as red ears. This condition might impact the back of the outer ear as well as the inner ear. You will not be confused if you have the symptoms of this condition when the case is more advanced, but in the beginning, you might just have red ears without other symptoms.

Flushing or Emotion

Experiencing strong emotions can cause your face to flush. Your ears can also flush along with your cheeks. If you notice that your ears flush even when you don’t feel a strong emotion such as nervousness or embarrassment, you should pay attention to the overall health of your ears. 

While it might just be a coincidence, flushed ears without emotions can be a reason for concern.

Red Ear Syndrome

This aptly named condition can cause periods of ear redness and burning that can impact the whole ear but is typically confined to the ear lobe. The symptoms can last for hours or might be brief. 

Touching the ears, exposure to temperature changes, exercise, and skin irritations can cause this condition. It can also be linked to migraines for some people as well.

Sunburn

If sunburned, you could notice that your ears are redder than the rest of your face. The skin on your ears is very delicate, and when not protected by sunscreen, your ears could bear the brunt of your sunburn. While this condition does not always need medical care, severe sunburn that includes blisters might require a visit to the ER or your regular doctor.

Are Red Ears a Sign of High Blood Pressure?

When someone has high blood pressure, their face might be flushed and red, including the ears. This is one of the more common symptoms of high blood pressure that needs attention, and for fair-skinned people, this can be a much more apparent early warning sign of high blood pressure. 

High blood pressure is a severe ailment that should not be ignored. Even if flushed ears are your first and only symptom of this condition, you should have your overall health looked at related to your red ears.

Treatment of Red Ears

For skin infections or irritations that have caused your ears to be red, topical products and antibiotics can be used to take care of these conditions. When emotions are the reason for your red ears, calming down and taking a moment to handle your feelings will be all that is needed. 

In the case of high blood pressure, treating your high blood pressure will eliminate your concerns to do with your ears. High blood pressure can negatively impact your overall health, and it is typically managed with medication and regular visits to your doctor. 

Make sure that you have your doctor rule out high blood pressure as the reason for your red ears before you assume that there is nothing to worry about.

Contact the Hearing Associates of Las Vegas today if you have any questions or concerns about your ears.