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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is A Pus Filled Sore Behind The Ear A Concern In Children?

My 4 year old has some type of sore behind his ear, right where the ear flap connects to the scalp. I noticed it at naptime because his hair was matted down at the spot and caked with a yellowish pus/gunk, that I can best describe as similar to when you are sick and you have sleep in your eyes that cakes over them & seals them shut. Once I got it cleaned with a warm rag, the skin itself is very red with a sort of glaze over it and a thin line of white in the exact crease of the ear/scalp. Is this an ear infection or a cut that got infected or something? Please assist. Hi, can I answer your health question? Please type your question here...
posted on Tue, 17 Apr 2018
Twitter Mon, 28 May 2018 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 28 May 2018 Last reviewed on
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Pediatrician,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

You describe a pustule, a bump containing pus inside. Many times children get several of them. The cause of one pustule behind the ear may be a scratch or insect bite that became infected. I suggest getting a small tube of over-the-counter antibiotic ointment such as Bactracin twice a day until the redness goes away and the area is dry.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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Is A Pus Filled Sore Behind The Ear A Concern In Children?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. You describe a pustule, a bump containing pus inside. Many times children get several of them. The cause of one pustule behind the ear may be a scratch or insect bite that became infected. I suggest getting a small tube of over-the-counter antibiotic ointment such as Bactracin twice a day until the redness goes away and the area is dry. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.