Cut that is not a cut, that won't heal.

[Jocosa]

I have a cut, for lack of a better word on my ear. Above the lobe but below the curve. I did not actually scratch it or cut it and while my ears are pierced I have not worn earrings in over a year.

It started small. I noticed it because I went to itch my ear and rubbed it and it hurt. It is indented like a cut. It is maybe a 1/4 inch in length and runs vertical. It was smaller when I first noticed it and has doubled since. If I run a finger over it it feels fairly deep. And is sore. It rarely bleeds but it does seem to ooze pus or something else that is not blood. I wake up and it is crusted. It will be clean and smooth after my daily shower but crusts up again shortly after.

I have tried neosporin, rubbing alcohol, bactine and a few other otc ointments and it is not getting better. It's been almost a month now and I'd like it gone.

Suggestions? Thanks!

[Maria RN]

Hi. Welcome to the forum. I would suggest that you refrain from self-medicating and just go to your own doctor. Alcohol can irritate the skin. It's not safe to use some otc ointment or creams when you do not know what is causing the symptoms. A condition called seborrheic dermatitis is one of the possible causes of skin symptoms in and around the ear. Alcohol would barely help in controlling the symptoms. I hope that you'd visit your doctor soon to find out the underlying problem.