My Baby Was Born with an Extra Piece of Skin on the Helix?

This is a Darwin's tubercle.  Removal is a very simple procedure but requires general anesthesia.  For this reason, it is frequently delayed until the child is older.  In general, most pediatricians will not clear a baby for surgery until he or she is over 20 pounds/one year old and I typically wait until age 4-5 when the child is able to comprehend what is happening.  It could improve or resolve spontaneously so waiting is appropriate.

Our office repairs earlobes after a traumatic tear of earrings, gauge piercings, or after a facelift in which the earlobes are stretched. Earlobe surgery is composed of several techniques that can either repair torn earlobes (split earlobes) or correct overly redundant earlobe tissue from piercings or genetics or stretching. Our HIDEF earlobe repair includes a recontouring of the earlobe contour using multi-layered sutures to reapproximate the curvature of the earlobe; while simultaneously restoring contour to the ear. In patients with pixie ears after facelift surgery, an alternate technique is used to reduce the dependance of the earlobe on the facelift flap. Facelift surgery can reshape the earlobe and this requires restoration. Sutures are usually taken out within 10 days and the wound is repierced in 4-6 weeks thereafter. Keloid scars must be addressed in patients with known history for scarring.

Keloids are another major reason to undergo earlobe repair if there is a keloid scar nodule that has developed in the earlobe or ear cartilage rim. We use a combination of lasers, injections, and keloid surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

This small skin tag can be easily removed with local anesthesia but I would wait until the child is old enough to put up with that type of procedure.