Do Your Ears Get Red and Hot? 10 Reasons Why

Red Ears — it’s something that happens occasionally and there is usually an easy explanation. The outer ear has delicate, sensitive skin and is made up of “hills and valleys” that collect sound waves and channel them into the auditory canal. But sometimes, things can happen to cause what’s called vasodilation where blood flows to the external ear causing it to appear red, hot, and irritated.

Most of the time, the color returns to normal on its own and the ear is none the worse for wear. However, sometimes it can be related to a medical concern that will require a trip to the doctor and a possible prescription.

Why Do My Ears Get Red and Hot?

You may have heard the phrase, “that person has smoke coming out of their ears”, or “are your ears burning”? These are common idioms that use red, hot ears to denote emotion — anger, anxiety, frustration. But although these phrases are part of popular jargon, there are real situations or conditions that can cause your ears to become red and hot.

Let’s look at 10 possible causes. First, we’ll look at some of the most common causes that shouldn’t be cause for alarm. Then we’ll look at inflamed ear conditions that may be painful and require medical treatment.

To Sum Up About Red and Hot Ears

While most causes of red and hot ears are normal events, there are a few significant illnesses or disorders that are characterized by inflamed ears. These require attention by a doctor and over the course of treatment may include over-the-counter medications or prescriptions to manage pain and symptoms.