The ears are a very sensitive part of our body, which is why in some situations they tend to turn red. This is explained by the fact that our ears have many small blood vessels, and when our body experiences a sudden change in temperature, these dilate, causing the color of our skin to redden.
But why do the face and ears get hot more specifically? Can this be avoided in any way? In the following article we share with you everything you should know about why your ears get hot and suddenly turn red. Also, if you want a trick to remedy this reaction, we will also discover it for you.
Climatic factors
The explanation of why the face and ears get hot is very simple, since this reaction is due to the increase in blood flow that occurs when the vessels in that area dilate.
One of the main reasons why this occurs is due to climatic factors such as extreme cold or heat, since prolonged exposure to these agents can cause redness and, consequently, a burning sensation in the ears and in other areas. parts of the face as in the cheeks. Fortunately, these symptoms are temporary and usually do not cause serious problems.
Allergies
Another cause that explains why the ears get hot and turn red is directly related to an allergic reaction to a product, food or object. To warn us that “something is not right”, our body responds in this way to the attack of external agents, which is why, in the face of an allergic reaction, our body tends to swell and turn red.
If you suspect that this redness is due to an allergic reaction or other parts of the body (especially the face) are swollen, we recommend you see a doctor immediately.
Emotional reactions
Are you one of those who blushes quickly when feeling embarrassed or angry? This is the most common and is not a problem. In certain situations and reactions, our nervous system is altered, causing the blood vessels in different parts of the body to dilate and the area to redden.
Reaction to alcohol
Have you ever felt your ears warm when drinking alcohol? This is a fairly common reaction, although it should last a few minutes. Why do ears get hot and red when drinking alcohol? This is due to acetaldehyde, a toxic substance produced by alcoholic beverages that causes our blood vessels to dilate. As a consequence, our entire face turns red, especially the ears and cheeks.
Although this should be a temporary characteristic, we recommend you reduce your alcohol consumption if this happens to you very often or if the feeling of warmth on your face lasts for a long time.
Otitis
Red ears in children? In this case, it is worth talking about otitis, as it is an ear infection that is especially common among children. This problem is quite painful, as it occurs due to an accumulation of fluid in the middle ear and causes it to become inflamed.
Red ears in children with otitis are very common, but there are also other symptoms: fever, irritability, burning in the ear, pain, etc. If you think your little one may be suffering from otitis, we recommend you go to the doctor as soon as possible to stop the infection.
This can also happen with other ear infections (both in adults and children), so if you have any type of persistent pain in the ear, you will have to go to the doctor for antibiotic treatment.
Blow or injury
Although it is one of the most obvious reasons why our ears get hot and/or red, it is worth mentioning that an injury to the outer ear could cause inflammation, reddening of the skin, burning and other discomfort. This can happen in the following cases:
- ear piercing
- Blow
- Scratch
- Burn
- Insect bite
In this case, we can only recommend that you protect your ears from possible injuries and visit a specialist if the wound bleeds or does not heal within a few days. Depending on the injury, this article on How to treat ear pain with home remedies can be very useful.
Red ear syndrome
This problem is associated with a very rare disorder that produces a burning sensation on the outside of the ear (both at the tip and at the lobe) and which, in turn, causes it to become red and possibly swollen.
The causes of this problem are related to intense headaches of short duration.
Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, menstruation or menopause can sometimes cause our ears to turn red, just as it can happen with other parts of our body. This is a secondary effect of the action of hormones and can also be caused by a hormonal imbalance associated with the thyroid, although it is less common.
How to remove red hot ears
If you are looking for a solution for red ears in children or adults, in addition to following the advice that we have indicated in each section, we recommend other home remedies that can be an effective solution. However, if you feel pain and think you may be suffering from an ear infection, it is best to see your doctor immediately so that they can recommend the best treatment. Is the pain external and you just want to relieve the redness and burning sensation? So take note:
- Ice : the perfect ally to reduce inflammation is ice, so if you have discomfort in the outer ear and it is swollen, we recommend using ice packs or wrapping ice in plastic and applying it to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes every hour.
- Salt water : if your ear becomes red and hot after a piercing, clean the affected area with water and neutral soap, and then wash with a mixture of water and salt to disinfect well. Remember not to put alcohol on yourself, as it could burn you a lot.
- Ginger :Did you know that ginger has excellent anti-inflammatory properties for the skin? If your ear is red and hot and you feel itchy or swollen, apply a little ginger juice to the outside of your ear to relieve discomfort.
- Jojoba oil : it is one of the best essential oils that exist for sensitive skin and to calm discomfort, irritation and redness of all kinds. If you think this is the case for you, apply a couple of drops of jojoba oil to the irritated outer part of your ear and allow the oil to absorb into the skin.
