Wen behind the ear: causes and how to get rid of it at home

The area of skin around the auricle contains a huge number of sebaceous glands, as a result of which this area is especially susceptible to the formation of so-called wen. Possible ailments include papillomas, fibromas, atheromas and lipomas.

Fatty tumors that form in the ear area grow slowly and are often not cancerous. Unlike wen on the earlobes, the appearance of tumors in the area behind the ear is only 0.2% among benign tumors in the facial area. Wen behind the ear or on the lobe requires treatment, which usually involves surgical removal.

What to do if you have a wen on your ear and how to recognize the characteristic signs of this phenomenon?

Wen development

A lipoma behind the ear is a subcutaneous tumor whose cavity is filled with fat. Due to the absence of ducts, the contents of the wen cannot flow out, so the lipoma itself does not disappear, but over time the tumor increases in size. This causes some inconvenience when combing and wearing hats, which can lead to injury to the growth and serious complications, therefore, if such a tumor is detected behind the ear, on its lobe or in the ear canal, it is necessary to seek medical help and carry out appropriate therapy.

Causes

The exact causes of lipoma have not been fully established. But experts identify several main factors:

The occurrence of wen is often accompanied by endocrine system disorders, liver and pancreas diseases, and hormonal imbalance. After treating the underlying pathology, it is possible to get rid of some of the emerging formations.
Hereditary predisposition. Inheritance of this trait increases the likelihood of developing wen at an early age.
Malignant neoplasms, as well as smoking and alcohol abuse, cause the growth of single or multiple lipomas.
Impaired fat metabolism. According to the results of studies, lipid breakdown products are difficult to remove from the body, which provokes the formation of lipoma.

A small wen, the diameter of which is a few millimeters, does not cause any inconvenience. However, as it increases in size, it begins to affect blood circulation, compresses nerve endings, and can cause the development of hypertension, as well as headaches and chronic fatigue. A lipoma formed in or near the ear canal interferes with the perception of sound, and its inflammation provokes the development of otitis media.

Many people consider a wen to be a harmless neoplasm that should not be paid attention to, but this is wrong. Although lipoma is benign, under certain conditions (for example, after injury) it can transform into a malignant tumor.

The greatest danger is trying to get rid of the growth on your own, without medical help. In this case, squeezing out the wen can lead to injury and damage to the skin. An infection gets into an open wound, resulting in inflammation and suppuration. In addition, if removed unprofessionally, the lipoma can not only reappear, but also become a source of infection.

The hearing organs are located in close proximity to the brain, so any inflammatory process in this area poses a danger to humans. The scale of the consequences in this case is impossible to predict.

Signs of lipoma

Wen has several characteristic features. The main ones are the following:

there is no pain or inflammation;
the color of the skin over the bump does not change;
the size of the round neoplasm varies between 2−4.5 cm;
When pressed, the lipoma may move slightly to the side.

In adults and children, the symptoms are similar. With the development of the inflammatory process or infection, more pronounced symptoms are observed:

redness of the skin;
pain in the affected area;
when pressed, a white or yellowish-green (in case of purulent inflammation) liquid flows out of the capsule;
Itching may occur in the inflamed area.

Sometimes you can find a pimple behind the ear, very similar to a wen. The first type of neoplasm differs from a lipoma in that when pressure is applied, the contents of the pimple easily come out of the capsule.

What do lipomas behind the ears look like and why?

A lipoma appears behind the ear unnoticed. Quite by accident, a person feels a pea rolling around in the subcutaneous layer. Sometimes a wen appears in the earlobe. In general, this new formation looks like this:

The skin over the tumor does not change color and looks the same as on other parts of the body.
The wen itself is soft, mobile, and can be easily mixed under your fingers.
As the tumor grows, the skin over it becomes tense and begins to shine, and in some cases acquires a bluish tint.
A large lipoma in the area behind the ear can cause compression of blood vessels and poor circulation in the ear itself.
The wen can be on the cheek, behind the earlobe, as well as on the earlobe itself.

No one knows exactly why lipomas occur. But it is generally accepted that the reasons for their appearance are:

genetic predisposition;
changes in hormonal levels (which is why they most often appear in children during puberty, pregnant women and the elderly);
lipid metabolism disorders;
unhealthy lifestyle – smoking, alcohol, lack of sleep.

Possible complications

Lipoma grows very slowly and quite rarely transforms into a malignant tumor. However, a wen that forms near the auditory organ can cause a lot of inconvenience. If measures are not taken to remove the growth, this can lead to the development of the following conditions:

Due to the increase in tumor size, hearing loss may occur.
When nerve endings are compressed, discomfort and even pain are felt.
As it grows, the structure of the wen becomes denser, which subsequently complicates its treatment.
Infection threatens the development of an inflammatory process, which causes damage to the middle and inner ear. In addition, the infection can spread to nearby tissues and organs, including the brain.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of wen behind the ear is rarely difficult. Usually, examination and palpation are enough for an experienced doctor to make a preliminary diagnosis. Additional research is prescribed to differentiate from other tumors with a similar course and structure.

A number of such measures are prescribed as diagnostics.:

X-ray;
Ultrasound;
MRI or CT examination.

Laboratory tests are prescribed to identify or exclude possible concomitant pathologies and the inflammatory process. If there are atypical symptoms indicating the development of complications, then extensive diagnostics is required.

Wen behind the ear belongs to the field of surgery, oncology, and dermatology. If surgery is necessary, a consultation with an anesthesiologist-resuscitator is possible.

Diagnostic measures

To make an accurate diagnosis, a thorough examination is necessary. Depending on the symptoms, the doctor may prescribe the following diagnostic measures:

Puncture. The contents or tissue of the lipoma are checked for the presence of pathology.
Detailed blood test. The number of lymphocytes is determined; an increase in their level indicates the development of a malignant process.
CT scan. It is carried out using a contrast agent in order to obtain a more complete picture. The method is used mainly in examining internal organs, but can also be used in diagnosing lipomas.

Based on the results of the examination, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes appropriate treatment. Due to little knowledge of this type of neoplasm, surgery is considered the only way to get rid of them. Only this method guarantees complete elimination of the wen on the ear.

Causes

Among all the predisposing factors for the formation of wen in childhood, experts highlight dysfunction of the sebaceous glands, which leads to clogging of their ducts. This condition is considered normal in infants and usually goes away by three months of age. In this case, there is no need for any specific treatment.

According to some doctors, lipomas can form as a result of improper metabolism. In such situations, consultation with an endocrinologist is required to exclude serious congenital pathologies.

In addition, the functioning of the sebaceous and sweat glands can be influenced by hormones that begin to be produced by the expectant mother before labor.

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In older children, wen can develop for the following reasons:

unhealthy diet, which contains a large number of various chemical additives;
overweight ;
pathologies affecting the genitourinary system;
maintaining a sedentary lifestyle.

It is also possible that a genetic factor may also play an important role. If one of the parents has a history of lipomas, the risk of lipoma in the child increases by 50 percent.

Treatment of tumors behind the ear

The treatment regimen for wen is determined in each case individually. Therapy involves the use of medications, folk remedies and destructive methods of removing growths.

Drug therapy

To eliminate a small wen (10-20 mm in diameter) in the initial stages of its development, you can use medications. For example, the following:

Vishnevsky ointment. Used for compresses. The drug is applied to the tumor, covered with a film, and a warm cloth on top. Secure with a plaster or bandage. Ichthyol ointment can be used in the same way. If after seven days the tumor has not disappeared, there is no point in using other means.
Iodine. Several times a day it is necessary to treat the affected area with a solution of iodine and table vinegar (9%).

Folk remedies

To get rid of small tumors behind the ear, you can use traditional medicine. The following are considered the most effective:

Garlic. Chop one slice, place the pulp on a piece of gauze and apply a compress to the wen, leave overnight. If a strong burning sensation occurs, the compress must be removed and the affected area lubricated with tea tree oil. This will help relieve inflammation and skin irritation.
Kalanchoe. Grind the leaf of the plant to a pasty state and prepare a compress using a bandage and apply it to the lipoma. The procedure is carried out daily before bed until the growth disappears. If after two weeks the tumor does not decrease in size, you should use another method of treatment.
Vinegar (9%) and iodine. Mix the ingredients in equal quantities - treat the growth with 20 ml of the resulting solution several times a day, without touching areas with healthy skin. Treatment with this method may take several weeks.
Ground pepper and vodka. A piece of bandage must be soaked in vodka and sprinkled with black pepper (1 tsp) on top and applied to the wen. Repeat the procedure 2 times a day until the skin over the bump is depleted and the lipoma is opened.
Vegetable oil and pharmaceutical alcohol. The components are mixed in equal proportions. Used as a compress. The procedure is carried out before bedtime for a month.

Unfortunately, medications, as well as folk remedies, are ineffective in the fight against lipoma. Most often, in order to get rid of wen behind the ear, treatment must be carried out using more radical methods.

Destructive ways

Lipoma removal is carried out only by a specialist with all the necessary tools and tools. The clinic may offer one of the following methods:

Surgery. This is the simplest and most proven technique, which is used to remove a wen of any size; the operation is performed under local anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision through which the entire capsule is removed. This helps avoid relapse. Excision with a scalpel has some disadvantages: a long recovery period, as well as noticeable scars left after the operation.
Endoscopy. The advantage of this method is that the incision is small, so the settled scar is less noticeable on the skin. However, in this case the wen is removed without the shell, which means that the likelihood of its reappearance increases.
Laser therapy. It is one of the safest and fastest ways to remove lipomas. In addition, this technique has a significant advantage: after the operation there are no scars left, which is especially important when wen appears on exposed parts of the body. The duration of the procedure is no more than 15 minutes, the wound heals quite quickly, without any side effects (inflammation, swelling). New growths on the scalp, face, neck, eyelids and ears are best removed with a laser.
Radio wave therapy. The principle of exposure is similar to laser. Treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis, without hospitalization. The tumor is removed using a high-frequency knife. The operation is absolutely bloodless and painless. This is especially true when removing wen from such delicate areas as eyelids, earlobes, and so on.
Fat suction (liposuction), as well as the introduction of special medications into the lipoma cavity also gives a positive effect in terms of aesthetics. However, after liposuction there remains a risk of reappearance of the wen. The thing is that only the fatty contents are removed, and the capsule itself remains under the skin, so over time it may fill with fat again and the lipoma will have to be treated again.

Other methods

Squeezing out the wen on your own is not recommended, as it can have serious consequences. However, if it is not possible to use other methods, you can try to remove the lipoma at home, following the following recommendations:

treat the tumor and hands with alcohol;
heat the needle from the syringe over a gas burner;
pry the skin over the lipoma and make a puncture;
carefully squeeze out the contents of the wen;
Treat the puncture site with hydrogen peroxide;
Repeat the procedure 3-4 times during the day.

The method is suitable for eliminating growths whose size does not exceed 30 mm in diameter, and the neoplasms themselves are located close to the surface of the skin. At the same time, the risk of relapse is quite high, since the lipoma capsule remains in the same place.

If you remove wen yourself, the following consequences may occur:

Squeezing out a lipoma located in the deep layers of the skin can provoke an infection and subsequently cause a blood disease.
When squeezing out the contents, the capsule may burst, and the accumulated fat will fall on nearby tissues. This will lead to the development of necrosis.
Squeezing out a lipoma located in the facial part is especially dangerous. In case of infection, long-term treatment will be required, after which rough scars may remain on the skin.

Constant trauma to the growth during extrusion and puncture can lead to an increase in its size and transformation into a malignant tumor.

A small wen formed behind the ear does not pose any danger. However, an increase in its size, as well as constant trauma and friction can trigger the development of oncology. In this case, it is better to contact a specialist who will competently and without consequences perform an operation to remove the wen on the ear.

What to do in case of inflammation of the formation

Inflammation of the wen is redness in the ear area, accompanied by growth and painful sensations on palpation. The cause of the condition is mechanical impact.

There is a risk of consequences if you try to remove the seal yourself at home.

Before surgery, you can apply alcohol lotions. Folk remedies help reduce inflammation: infusion of coltsfoot leaves, baked onion, thick gruel from sprouted wheat grains. The inflamed lipoma must be removed to avoid suppuration.

Localization

Lipoma can affect any part of the body. More often, wen appear where the subcutaneous fat layer predominates.

Wen are small in size, up to one millimeter. Localized on the back or nasal wings. Externally, the neoplasms look like pimples and have a white head. Can be single or multiple.

They are often located in this area, and also affect the deep layers of tissue. The child must be observed by a specialist at all times. If a lipoma growth is observed, it is recommended to remove it as soon as possible. This is explained by the risk of the tumor squeezing important vessels located in this area.

Wen, which are localized on the chin or cheeks, are small in size. They do not cause any inconvenience to the child. In most cases, such lipomas disappear on their own. The main thing is not to take any independent measures to remove them.

Scalp

The wen will resemble a bump, which is quite mobile, with a soft consistency. The disease is not dangerous to children's health and does not require special therapeutic measures.

If the tumors are large, they must be removed. However, the operation is indicated only for children over two years of age.

Limbs

Single formations more often appear on the arms and legs. If the lipoma does not grow and does not change the condition of the skin, then there is no need to rush into surgery.

Wen that forms in the eye or eyelid area, as a rule, does not reach large sizes. However, despite this, they can negatively affect the quality of visual function. It is important that the child is under medical supervision.

If the formation is localized in the inner ear, it often leads to hearing loss or complete loss.

Shoulders, back or stomach

In these areas, wen can grow to impressive volumes. In this case, the child will experience discomfort. Such tumors must be removed.

Gum tissue

Such situations occur quite often, especially in newborns. The spontaneous disappearance of the pathological process is observed after teething.