ATOT Dermatologists: Reoccurring skin breaks where ear lobes meet cheek. Solution?

[CZroe]

I got a tighter-fitting motorcycle helmet December 2010 and started having this problem about a month later, if I recall correctly. The problem is that a single painful cut forms under each ear lobe and gets aggrivated when I put on the helmet and take it off. If I don't stop riding for a few days and apply antibiotic ointment, it doesn't heal and instead scabs over. I initially correlated it to the helmet because I could not go very long without riding (my only transportation) and it would cause pain when putting it on and taking it off, but I recently moved back to GA and was able to use a car for weeks at a time. As usual, it would heal but would "break" and scab again with any amount of agitation even without the helmet. For example, my dog could lick me there or I could wipe my finger and find a ton of flaky dead skin. It seems that the helmet is not too tight and that anything can trigger it.

I tried rigorous washing of the ears and I tried deliberately avoiding them with incase it was overly sensitive to soaps or scrubbing. Nothing seems to help. It isn't a hygene issue. In case it's a skin health issue, I took daily fish oil capsules for months and it did not help.

It may have also experienced this 15+ years ago: My mother used to cut my hair with trimmers and I remember blaming her for cuts that would never heal under my ears. It may just be that I had the problem then and would blame whatever caused me pain (he moving my ear and bumping the cut with the trimmers), just like I initially blamed the helmet.

Though I have lived with it this long, it is very painful and problematic. I'd like to know if anyone has heard of anything like it before I go see a doctor or something.

 

[Crono]

With the recurring scabs, it might be pseudofolliculitis (ingrown hairs causing inflammation). Probable since you described getting hair cut in the same region.

I would see a dermatologist in any case. If it's pseudofolliculitis you'll get prescribed a spray or shampoo that should take care of the problem.

 

[CZroe]

I don't actually have any hair there. I always complained at my mother for needlessly touching it with the trimmers and told her that it was because she would never let it heal (now I knpw better). She was always a bit rough and would just tug my ears forward or out to gain access to the hair behind them, but the problem area is literally right where it meets the cheek/face and there is no hair around there. It's a tiny little slit even though the dead skin flakes from all around it.

 

[Crono]

I don't actually have any hair there. I always complained at my mother for needlessly touching it with the trimmers and told her that it was because she would never let it heal (now I knpw better). She was always a bit rough and would just tug my ears forward or out to gain access to the hair behind them, but the problem area is literally right where it meets the cheek/face and there is no hair around there. It's a tiny little slit even though the dead skin flakes from all around it.

It doesn't need to be large visible hair, even if its just hair follicles you can have pseudofolliculitis.

I might be wrong and it might be something else, but that's what it sounds like to me.
<-Not a doctor

 

[Fayd]

more likely eczema or a very specific case of psoriasis.

i have generalized psoriasis and occasionally will get some breakouts at the corners of my eyes. a little bit of hydrocortizone and it's np.

 

[JEDI]

get Vanos creme. cleared it right up

 

[CZroe]

more likely eczema or a very specific case of psoriasis.

i have generalized psoriasis and occasionally will get some breakouts at the corners of my eyes. a little bit of hydrocortizone and it's np.

When I was 24 I asked a doctor about all the skin flaking in my eyebrows and the bowl of my ears and he mentioned psoriasis but said I was probably too young. I've also had killer dandruff all my life. I can't imagine applying hydrocortizone cream to my entire scalp, but I doubt it's all coincidence. Is that stuff prescription only?

That said, my twin brother had the eat issue with the clippers/trimmer when we were pre-teens/teens too but doesn't seem to have the skin issues I have today.

 

[Scotteq]

Reoccurring skin breaks where ear lobes meet cheek

NSFW:

Spoiler

Your GF pulls when you go down on her?

Sorry... had to be done...

 

[Howard]

NSFW:

Spoiler

Your BF pulls when you go down on him?

Sorry... had to be done...

fixed

 

[chusteczka]

Butter. Ears taste better with butter. Especially fried.

 

[Fayd]

When I was 24 I asked a doctor about all the skin flaking in my eyebrows and the bowl of my ears and he mentioned psoriasis but said I was probably too young. I've also had killer dandruff all my life. I can't imagine applying hydrocortizone cream to my entire scalp, but I doubt it's all coincidence. Is that stuff prescription only?

That said, my twin brother had the eat issue with the clippers/trimmer when we were pre-teens/teens too but doesn't seem to have the skin issues I have today.

uh, i'm 26 now. i've had psoriasis since i was 16...

hydrocortisone in small concentrations (enough for mild cases) is easily gotten over the counter. i buy it in bulk packages from costco.