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Discolored Ear lobes
My ear lobes are serverely discolored from wearing a pair of earrings that infected by ear lobes 22 years ago. I am unable to do everyday things such as: swimming, going to the hair dressers, etc. because I can't take off my earrings because I am embarrassed by the way they look. Is there anything available to fade the discoloration or maybe surgery to correct it? Help......
My earlobes are crusty and black from rubbing them howdo i turn them back too their normal color
Hi,
This discoloration of the ear lobes is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmenataion. Post inflammatory hyper pigmentation is a discoloration that is left on the skin after an underlying skin disease has healed. These underlying conditions skin infections,
allergic reactions or mechanical injuries.
The postinflammatory hyperpigmented lesions are located at the site of the originating disease after it has healed. The lesions range from light brown to black in color. Lesions may become darker if exposed to sunlight. It is more common in darker skinned individuals, in whom the colour tends to be more intense and persists for a longer period.
Usually, hyperpigmentation will gradually lessen over time and normal skin colour will return. However, this is a long process that may take up to 6-12 months or longer. In your case it has been there for a very long time so the chances of any treatment being successful is doubtful.
However, you could give it a try. Skin lightening agents like Hydroquinone and Tretinoin cream can be applied on the affected areas. Corticosteroid creams can also be applied.
Other options include chemical peels, laser treatments and intense pulsed light therapies (IPL) which may be helpful, but may aggravate pigmentation in some cases.
ref:http://dermnetnz.org/colour/postinflammatory-pigmentation.html
This discoloration of the ear lobes is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmenataion. Post inflammatory hyper pigmentation is a discoloration that is left on the skin after an underlying skin disease has healed. These underlying conditions skin infections,
allergic reactions or mechanical injuries.
The postinflammatory hyperpigmented lesions are located at the site of the originating disease after it has healed. The lesions range from light brown to black in color. Lesions may become darker if exposed to sunlight. It is more common in darker skinned individuals, in whom the colour tends to be more intense and persists for a longer period.
Usually, hyperpigmentation will gradually lessen over time and normal skin colour will return. However, this is a long process that may take up to 6-12 months or longer. In your case it has been there for a very long time so the chances of any treatment being successful is doubtful.
However, you could give it a try. Skin lightening agents like Hydroquinone and Tretinoin cream can be applied on the affected areas. Corticosteroid creams can also be applied.
Other options include chemical peels, laser treatments and intense pulsed light therapies (IPL) which may be helpful, but may aggravate pigmentation in some cases.
ref:http://dermnetnz.org/colour/postinflammatory-pigmentation.html
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