You’re scrolling through TikTok or YouTube at 2 a.m. and suddenly, there it is. A thumbnail featuring a massive, dark crater nestled inside someone’s concha—the bowl-shaped part of the outer ear. It looks like a pebble stuck in skin. People call them "pores of Winer" or just a giant blackhead in ear, and honestly, they are as fascinating as they are gross. But if you’ve felt a hard bump in your own ear canal lately, the fascination quickly turns into "How do I get this out without ending up in the ER?"
Most people think blackheads only happen on the nose or chin. Nope. Your ears are actually a prime breeding ground for some of the most stubborn, deep-seated impactions in the human body. They aren’t just regular pimples. Because the skin in your ear is thin and stretched tight over cartilage, these blackheads can become incredibly painful and surprisingly large before you even notice them.
What's actually happening inside your ear?
Biologically speaking, a blackhead is an open comedo. It’s a mix of dead skin cells (keratin) and sebum, which is the oil your skin produces to stay waterproof. When this gunk gets trapped in a pore and hits the air, it oxidizes. That’s why it turns black. It’s not dirt. It’s just "rusty" oil.
In the ear, things get weird. The skin here doesn't shed as easily as the skin on your face. Plus, we’re constantly shoving things in there—Earbuds. Hearing aids. Q-tips. Fingernails. These objects push oil and dead skin deeper into the pore. Over time, that tiny clog becomes a giant blackhead in ear that can actually dilate the pore permanently. Dermatologists like Dr. Sandra Lee (the famous Dr. Pimple Popper) often see these "giant" versions because the ear is a "blind spot." You don’t look at your ears in the mirror every morning like you do your nose. By the time you feel it, it’s been growing for months, maybe years.
The "Pore of Winer" vs. Standard Blackheads
Sometimes, what looks like a massive blackhead is technically a dilated pore of Winer. This is essentially a benign tumor of the hair follicle. It’s totally harmless, but it acts like a giant storage bin for keratin. Even if you squeeze it out, the "container" is still there. That’s why these often come back in the exact same spot.
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Why the ear is a high-risk zone
The anatomy of the ear is a nightmare for extractions. Unlike your cheek, which has a nice cushion of fat, the ear skin is glued right to the cartilage. There’s no "give." If you try to squeeze a giant blackhead in ear with your fingers, you’re mostly just crushing the skin against the hard cartilage. This hurts like crazy. It also causes inflammation that can lead to an infection called perichondritis.
Seriously, don’t mess around with infections in the ear cartilage. It doesn't have a great blood supply, which means once it gets infected, it’s really hard for your body to fight it off. You could end up with "cauliflower ear" or permanent scarring just because you wanted the satisfaction of a "pop."
The Sebum Problem
Your ears produce a specific type of oil. Mix that with earwax (cerumen), and you get a very sticky, very dense plug. In some cases, the impaction is so large it can actually muffle your hearing or cause a persistent itch that drives you up the wall.
Can you remove it at home? (Probably shouldn't, but here's the reality)
If you’re determined to do this yourself, stop. At least for a second. Most DIY attempts end in a bloody mess or pushing the blackhead deeper. But, if the blackhead is right on the outer rim and looks like it’s ready to jump out, there are ways to be less reckless.
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- Softening is everything. You can't just go in cold. Use a warm compress. Take a washcloth, soak it in hot (not scalding) water, and hold it against your ear for 10 minutes. This softens the keratin plug.
- Salicylic acid. A little bit of a 2% salicylic acid toner on a cotton swab can help dissolve the "glue" holding the blackhead in place. Do this for a few days before even thinking about extraction.
- The right tools. Using your fingernails is a one-way ticket to a skin tear. Professional comedone extractors—those little metal loops—are what pros use. But even then, if you don't know the angle of the pore, you’re going to bruise yourself.
Honestly, the "home remedy" of using a bobby pin is a terrible idea. Bobby pins are dirty and the metal is often too thin, which concentrates the pressure and slices the skin. If you can't get it with a light, steady press using a proper tool, it’s time to call a professional.
Why a dermatologist is the better play
When you go to a clinic, they aren't just squeezing. They usually use a sterile lancet to create a tiny opening in the "cap" of the blackhead. This gives the gunk a clear exit path.
For a truly giant blackhead in ear, a dermatologist might use a local anesthetic because, again, the ear is incredibly sensitive. They have the lighting and the magnification to see the "roots" of the impaction. They also ensure the entire sac is removed. If you leave a little bit of the lining behind, it will just fill back up.
There's also the "milia" factor. Sometimes what you think is a blackhead is actually a milia—a tiny, hard cyst that has no opening. If you squeeze a milia, nothing happens except pain. A pro can tell the difference instantly.
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Prevention: Keeping the craters away
Once you’ve cleared the ear, you don't want a repeat performance. Ear hygiene is a weirdly overlooked part of skincare.
- Clean your tech. Think about your AirPods. When was the last time you sanitized them? They are covered in bacteria and old skin. Use an alcohol wipe on your earbuds at least once a week.
- Wash behind (and inside) your ears. When you’re washing your face, take the leftover cleanser and run your fingers through the bowls of your ears. You don't need to go into the canal—just the outer parts where blackheads form.
- Exfoliate gently. A swipe of a chemical exfoliant (like a BHA) around the outer ear once a week can keep the pores clear.
When to see a doctor immediately
Sometimes a giant blackhead in ear isn't just a blackhead. If the area is hot to the touch, throbbing, or draining green or yellow fluid, you have an infection. If the "blackhead" looks irregular, has multiple colors, or bleeds easily, it could be a basal cell carcinoma. Skin cancer can happen in the ears because we always forget to put sunscreen there.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re staring at a dark spot in your ear right now, here is your game plan:
- Assess the depth. If it’s deep in the canal, do not touch it. See an ENT or a dermatologist.
- Start the softening process. Apply a warm compress for 10 minutes, twice a day. This might even encourage the blackhead to work its way out naturally.
- Use a BHA. Apply a 2% salicylic acid solution to the spot with a Q-tip to help break down the sebum.
- Sanitize your environment. Clean your pillowcases and your headphones tonight.
- Book a professional extraction. If the blackhead is "giant" (larger than a match head), it likely needs a professional's touch to avoid permanent scarring or a "cauliflower" deformity.
Don't let a "satisfying" pop turn into a permanent scar. Treat your ears with the same respect you give the rest of your skin.