Ear / hearing problems

Black spots in ears

Q . I am an 18 year old healthy chap, but I have an embarrassing problem in my ears. I have developed these black spots in both of my inner ears. I think they have been there for about 2 - 3 years, but I never really took much notice of them till recently. I think they started when I was working in a factory where I had to use earplugs all the time. I clean them regularly with water and recently I have even tried using spot creams to try to get rid of them but with no success.

They are embarrassing although no one has said anything to me, but they knock confidence out of me whenever I look at them in the mirror. Please can you give me some advice on how to get rid of them. Thank you.

A. The skin lining the ear canal is very thin and sits immediately over bone. Irritation of this skin is common as is damage from relatively trivial injury. Constantly wearing ear plugs, especially if they are of the plastic rather than soft wax variety, can cause bleeding under the skin. Ear defenders are much better although less comfortable. Fingers, matchsticks, fuse wire and pencils will do a great deal of harm. Pigmentation from this blood can build up giving rise to dark spots. They can also arise from other causes although skin cancer is more common on the tips of the ears rather than in the shade from the sun. Without seeing them it is impossible for me to give you definitive advice but I feel you should have them checked by your GP.