The outer ear, known as the auricle or pinna, is simply skin stretched over cartilage. Like skin elsewhere on the body, it contains structures that release secretions to the surface through openings typically referred to as pores. These pores serve a normal function in maintaining the health and hydration of the skin. However, the anatomy of the ear includes specialized glands deeper inside the canal that make this system unique.
Standard Pores on the Outer Ear
The visible, cartilaginous part of the ear possesses the same two primary types of microscopic glands found across the rest of the skin: sebaceous glands and sweat glands. Their ducts open onto the skin through pores. Sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily substance that lubricates and waterproofs the skin and the tiny hairs found on the ear.
The ears also contain sweat glands, which aid in temperature regulation and excretion. These glands release a watery fluid that evaporates from the skin’s surface. Both sebaceous and sweat glands contribute to the skin’s overall barrier function, protecting it from the external environment.
The Unique Glands of the Ear Canal
The skin lining the external auditory canal houses a specialized set of structures for secretion. The outer third of the ear canal produces the majority of the ear’s protective substances. Here, sebaceous glands work in conjunction with highly modified sweat glands called ceruminous glands.
Ceruminous glands are classified as a type of apocrine gland, producing a thick, waxy secretion. This secretion mixes with oil from the sebaceous glands and shed skin cells to form cerumen, commonly known as earwax. Cerumen acts as a lubricant, a water repellent, and a barrier that traps dust, debris, and foreign particles before they can travel deeper toward the eardrum.
Why Ear Pores Become Blocked
The pores and glands in the ear can become clogged, leading to issues similar to those on the face or body. This blockage occurs when dead skin cells, excess sebum, and external dirt become trapped inside the pore opening. When this trapped material oxidizes upon exposure to air, it can form a dark spot known as a blackhead, or an open comedo.
External factors frequently contribute to these blockages in the ear area. Wearing items like earbuds, headphones, or hearing aids can push debris and bacteria into the pores, or create friction and heat that stimulate oil production. Residue from hair products like shampoo or hairspray can also accumulate on the outer ear, contributing to the pore-clogging mixture. Keeping the outer ear clean and regularly sanitizing items that frequently touch the ear minimizes the accumulation of material that leads to blocked pores.