My earlobe has a large hard lump? (Photo)

Question

I had my ears pierced, my left one however was accidently pierced at an angle, so I took my earrings out and let it close up and heal. A year and a half later, I now have a rather large, hard, lump at the back of my earlobe. It started out fairly small and has now grown larger? It gets itchy sometimes and its been there ever since the piercing closed up.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

This is most likely irregular, hypertrophic scarring, known as a keloid. It isn’t a health risk, but it can be uncomfortable to deal with since it may be itchy, as you know, or sometimes painful. There are a number of treatments that can help you get rid of this, including surgery.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

The lump is likely a keloid scar. Keloids can continue to grow underneath and above the skin. You will likely need to have it surgically removed. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian Los Angeles

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your pictures.  This lump most likely represents a keloid.  Keloids are best treated by surgical removal and steroid injections.  Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photographs and question.  Based on your picture, your lump is most consistent with a keloid.  This is a type of exuberant scarring that some individuals are predisposed to, and developing one after a piercing is common in these individuals.  It is often irregular, as evidenced by your development of one on only one of your ears despite both being pierced.  There are options at treatment, and these typically begin with compression clips to help keep the size of the keloid from enlarging, silicone sheets, and steroid injections. If these fail to cause improvement, surgically excising the keloid would be the next option.  See a board certified plastic surgeon who can definitively diagnose you and recommend treatment options.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Given the history of an earlobe piercing, the most likely cause of a lump on your earlobe would be a keloid.  It is possible it could be a cyst as well.  There are some potential treatments that could help, so I would discuss these with either a facial plastic surgeon, plastic surgeon, or dermatologist.

Mariusz Sapijaszko, MD, FRCPC · Answer

From the picture provided, the "pump" may be a keloid (hard and sometimes tender) but other conditions, such as cysts or moles can also look taht way.Please make sure that you see your docgtor about that or consider seeing dermatologist for an assessment.

Luis A. Cenedese, MD, FACS · Answer

Keloids may develop on genetically predisposed patients who undergo ear piercing.Keloid formation is more likely if there is an infection or chronic irritation from the ear ring.Several methods of treatment are available including injections, LASER, cryotherapy and surgery.Smaller keloids are amenable to injection, LASER or cryotherapy.  Larger keloids are often best treated by excision.  Recurrence of keloids is an inevitable situation which you must be prepared to treat in the future. The future will be shaped by your decisions.Please use this information to consult in person with an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon prior to making treatment decisions.

EARLOBE REPAIR PROVIDERS NEAR YOU

My earlobe has a large hard lump? (Photo)

Answers (7)

EARLOBE REPAIR PROVIDERS NEAR YOU