Rash Behiind the Ears

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     It is common, especially in infants, to get a red, raw, cracked rash behind the ears right where the ear meets the head. The cowboys in the Old West used to say that someone was “wet behind the ears” – this meant they were inexperienced: a baby. At four months of age, all infants begin to drool and chew. When they lie down, the drool can pool behind their ears and also in the creases of their neck. The area gets wet, dries and then gets wet again.

     Normal skin does fine if it is moist and it also does fine if it is dry. Skin does not do well if it continually goes from wet to dry. This is the reason that people who have problems maintaining moisture on their skin, like people with eczema, have dryness and itching when their skin goes from wet to dry often – like with repeated hand washing. These people need to learn to apply moisturizing lotion immediately to any area that has gotten wet or all over their bodies immediately after a shower. Anyone with dry or sensitive skin will usually find that their skin improves if they do this.

     But babies (and adults) with normal skin will also get a raw, red rash in areas that get wet off and on. Moisturizing lotions or ointments or even petroleum jelly behind the ear before nap-time and when the infant wakes up will help protect the area. If an adult gets this rash, it is usually a woman who has the habit of tucking her hair behind her ear when it is wet.

     As I mentioned in “Diaper Rash”, normal, intact skin is the best protection we have against the bacteria and yeast spores that are always on our skin. Any time our skin is irritated or open, we run the risk of getting it infected. If the rash behind the ears or in the neck folds isn’t clearing or getting worse, consider possible infection. A bacterial infection may be red, weeping, swollen or sore. A yeast infection is often a slowly expanding, bright red area that itches a lot. For a bacterial infection, use the antibacterial ointment that you can purchase without a prescription. In fact, because it is an ointment, it can serve both as protection and treatment when the infant has the rash. For a yeast infection, use one of the anti-yeast, anti-athlete’s foot products. As always, if the rash is getting worse, see your caregiver. You may need oral medication.