What to do if the earlobes are torn?

Cracks in the earlobe are often not only a cosmetic problem for many affected persons. The cracks can be accompanied by pain, an unpleasantly dry skin or even itching. The symptoms depend on the cause of the cracks as well as the severity of the cracks.

The treatment also depends on these criteria.

Small wounds and injuries are often cooled and treated with painkillers such as ibuprofen if necessary. Dirty wounds must first be cleaned.
In infected wounds and tears, antibiotics are used to combat the germs.
Larger tears, which can occur, for example, when the ear holes are stretched too quickly or when sports injuries occur (earring torn out), sometimes have to be stitched with a few stitches.
Skin diseases such as neurodermatitis, allergic contact eczema or a fungal disease are treated with different methods. Neurodermatitis is treated with various creams and ointments, depending on the degree of its severity, which among other things have an oily effect and counteract dry skin. Cortisone ointments and other medications are also used.
In the case of allergic contact dermatitis, which is caused by the earlobe repeatedly coming into contact with a substance that causes an allergic reaction, it is especially important to avoid this substance.
The eczema is then treated with cortisone ointments and ointments for greasing the skin.
Fungal diseases can be treated with creams and ointments containing a so-called antimycotic. This drug kills the fungus.

Surgery is not necessary if the earlobe is torn. As a rule, small skin tears heal by themselves and do not require surgery.

Larger and deeper tears of the earlobe, which can occur for example in an accident or when the ear holes are overstretched, are sutured. However, this is done under local anaesthesia on an outpatient basis or by the family doctor or another specialist. Only rare cases such as large injuries, which then also affect the rest of the ear or other parts of the head, as well as extensive infections and abscesses can make surgery necessary. However, these are clinical pictures in which the tear in the earlobe is no longer the main problem.