Discussions By Condition: Ears, Nose, Mouth & Throat conditions

Red Hot Ears

Posted In: Ears, Nose, Mouth & Throat conditions 2 Replies
  • Posted By: Anonymous
  • February 22, 2007
  • 11:25 PM

Help! A few years ago I noticed that my ears (sometimes one or both) will get red hot to the touch and bright red. I didn't think anything of it and my husband told me that I was crazy but I want to know why it's happening. I've read some blogs about people having red and hot ears due to carcinoids, Fragile X, and erythromelalgia. Does anyone know why this happens?

Reply Flag this Discussion

2 Replies:

  • How about shingles?
    Monsterlove 2921 Replies
    • October 9, 2007
    • 08:11 AM
    • 0
    Flag this Response
  • Help! A few years ago I noticed that my ears (sometimes one or both) will get red hot to the touch and bright red. I didn't think anything of it and my husband told me that I was crazy but I want to know why it's happening. I've read some blogs about people having red and hot ears due to carcinoids, Fragile X, and erythromelalgia. Does anyone know why this happens?One reason for our ears to turn red is that at times our sympathetic nervous system kicks in on its own and causes our bodies to release adrenalin and noradrenalin. Noradrenalin is the chemical responsible for relaxing the smooth muscle in the walls of the blood vessels. When the smooth muscle in the blood vessels relaxes the diameter of the vessel increases and the volume of blood passing through the blood vessel also increases. This is referred to as vasodilatation. When this happens the skin feels warm and may have a pink or red colour. I've had it for years off and on, if it really bothers you, put ice on it everytime it happens, I did that and after doing that for a little while, it stopped happening for more than a year.
    Anonymous 42789 Replies Flag this Response
Thanks! A moderator will review your post and it will be live within the next 24 hours.