Left ear hot? The reason may go beyond superstitions

Have you ever felt the hot left ear? You’ve probably heard the popular belief that it’s a sign that someone is currently talking bad about you. The recommended sympathy is to bite the bra strap or the collar of the shirt so that the sensation passes quickly and the gossiper bites his own tongue. When the nuisance is on the right, in turn, superstition indicates good news, which is that it is very well-spoken out there. But, of course, there are several scientific explanations for burning and redness in the organ.

The blog of did a thorough research to list the most common possibilities, ranging from vasodilation due to stress to allergies. Did you know that there is even Red Ear Syndrome? Another curious fact is that Viagra, that blue medicine used in cases of sexual impotence, can lead to side effects. Check out all the details below!

Hot and red left ear: what could it be?

According to science, discomfort in any ear can occur when blood vessels dilate. As the region has a large circulatory network and very thin skin, it becomes very noticeable when more blood passes through there, leading to a reddish and hot appearance.

Now the question arises: what causes this vasodilation? The process can be local, when there is a greater need for circulation, for example, when spending a lot of time with the phone pressing against the ear. But there is also the possibility of it occurring throughout the body and being quite visible in the organ due to its characteristics already mentioned. In this case, it may be a response to stressful situations and moments of anxiety.

“Another curiosity is that the famous pills for erection problems also increase vasodilation. The guy who needed Viagra is grateful, but has red ears as a ‘side effect”, mentioned Superinteressante magazine.

Red Ear Syndrome

Have you ever heard of Red Ear Syndrome (SOV)? It is another possible explanation for left or right ear warm. It was first recorded in the 1990s by Australian neurologist JW Lance. It is characterized by one or both organs having a red appearance and a burning sensation, occurring rarely or up to four times a day.

Scientists from Dalhousie University, Canada, analyzed the issue and found that the discomfort can last for a few seconds or even last for hours.

“The syndrome may be idiopathic [sem motivo] or be associated with migraine (during or between headache episodes), thalamic syndrome, atypical trigeminal and glossopharyngeal neuralgia, pathology of the upper portion of the cervical spine (cervical arachnoiditis, cervical spondylositis, traction injury, Chiari malformation, or herpes zoster affecting the upper cervical roots) and temporomandibular joint dysfunction”, reported a scientific article by Randolph W Evans, from the Department of Neurology at Baylor College of Medicine, in the United States.

“Redness can occur without pain. Frequent episodes can be reduced with the preventive use of gabapentin, ibuprofen, amitriptyline and propranolol”, reported the publication. But don’t self-medicate. If you experience recurring and painful episodes, go to the doctor, who will be able to recommend the best treatment for your case. Other precautions include rest, cold compresses, alcohol restriction and maintaining a healthy diet.

Simple treatments for warm left and/or right ear:

Rest Use of cold compress Alcohol restriction Healthy diet

Inflamed ear

A more common cause of hot, red ears is allergies caused by wearing earrings and piercings. It is the type of metal used to make the accessory that triggers reactions and can even lead to inflammation, with the formation of secretion. The chances of this occurring are lower with gold jewelry, but even with it, there are some cases of discomfort.

If you notice any changes, remove the item from your ear (if possible) and make an appointment with your dermatologist. Don’t self-medicate. Keep in mind that each case requires specific care, but it usually involves using an ointment or cream with anti-inflammatories and anti-allergens, as well as properly cleaning the area and avoiding the material that caused the problem.

Possible causes of hot and red ears

Now that you have scientifically understood that discomfort can go far beyond the belief that someone is speaking good or bad about you, here is a list of a series of causes for redness, burning and pain in the ears. Be sure to consult a doctor to find out the best way to proceed in each case!

Seborrheic dermatitis (inflammation of the skin that mainly causes peeling and redness in affected areas, including ears) Sunburn Excessive alcohol consumption (blood vessel dilator) Shocks or trauma to the region Infection Allergy Otomycosis (fungal infection that affects the ears) Herpes- zoster Insect bites Stress and anxiety Migraine Red Ear Syndrome Side effect of Viagra and other medications

Did you like the explanations about hot left ear? How about checking out more health facts published on our blog? Click here and read about natural tranquilizers!