A lump in the earlobe is usually a benign cyst. There are two treatment options for getting rid of an earlobe cyst. Often, the best way is surgical and carried out under a local anaesthetic. The doctor will make a small cut in the cyst and remove the abnormal tissue. Cysts can also be drained of the fluid inside them.

Removing the cyst surgically means it is less likely to come back. However, the draining option, while quick and easy, does mean that the cyst is more likely to return.

Often, benign cysts will go away without treatment, but you should keep an eye out for any changes in shape or colour, as these may be signs that you should see a doctor.

What is a Cyst?

A cyst is a pocket of skin or other tissue containing air or fluid (often a thick, white substance called keratin).

Sometimes skin cells multiply or grow instead of being shed, embedding themselves deeper into the epidermis and forming the walls of a cyst within the top layers of the skin. They can also form on a hair follicle if the outermost layer is irritated or injured. Cysts are also known as epidermoid cysts, or epidermal inclusion cysts.

Epidermoid cysts affect men more than women, but anyone, regardless of gender or age, can develop a cyst. However, there are a number of factors which can increase the risk of an epidermoid cyst forming.

• Age - cysts are rare in babies and children, so being over the age of puberty will increase the risk
• Genetics - some rare syndromes and genetic conditions can increase the likelihood of cysts, such as Gardner syndrome which causes tumours and polyps in and around the colon
• Acne - a history of acne can cause cysts to develop as the skin is more prone to developing lumps of fluid
• Injury - skin injuries can cause cells to react in an abnormal way, burying themselves deeper into the skin and forming a cyst

Why Do I Have a Lump in My Earlobe?

These occur when epidermis cells that should have been shed bury into the skin and multiply, forming the walls of the cyst. They secrete a type of protein called keratin which fills up the cyst.

Other causes of earlobe cysts include damaged hair follicles or oil glands, and they also tend to run in families. Sometimes they can form for no reason at all, but they are generally not a cause for concern.

How Long Does it Take for a Lump in Your Ear to Go Away?

Benign earlobe cysts will often go away on their own, but the length of time this can take depends on a number of factors and varies from person to person. Sometimes these lumps can only go away with treatment. You should keep an eye on your cyst and seek help if it doesn’t appear to be healing.