I have a crust that forms behind my ears. It comes and goes but can also crack and hurt and the junction of the ear lobe and jaw. What might this be and how should I treat it?

Choux

Sounds like a little soap residue may collect there from face washing and is drying out the area. I would moisturize the area after rinsing it with clear water until it clears up in about a week or so.

Depressed in MO

Are you male or female? Regardless, are your ears pierced?

There could be many reasons for this, but maybe you could elaborate a little more?
I have my ears pierced. But, also have very sensitive skin when it comes to jewelry. Most of the time, if I wear certain jewelry (cheap jewelry or fake gold) for longer than 12 hours on certain parts of my body (ears, arms, fingers, legs, toes-ex: toe rings), then it can cause that part of my body to itch, be irritated, and therefore-crust. This especially happens when I wear cheap earrings. Sometimes it can even cause my glands to be swolen.

Just thought I'd throw in another suggestion incase you may be able to relate.
How to treat it: Keep the earrings out at the end of the day. Don't sleep or shower in them...
Put peroxide on the piercing hole, and as stated previously, moisturize to keep the "crustiness" down.

danielnoahsmommy

its almost like cradel cap. my son has this occasionaly. the best way i have found to fix this immediatly was to put a little olive oil on a cotton swab and massage on that area. repeat as neccesary

Joey G

First you need to find out the cause. Do you have problems with "dandruff". Although this is mainly on the scalp, it can migrate to the face, earlobes. If left untreated, it can thicken, then produce painful cracks on the skin. Eczema is also a possibility as is yeast infection, although this is usually moist in a tight areas. A standard that we use are cortisone based cream but in your case where dryness is an issue, I would use a cortisone ointment. This will moisturize and prevent the thick scale or crust. If the rash does not clear, see a health professional. There are potent steroids that can be prescribed. Besides you want to know what is the true cause and treatment is geared towards what caused it. Thanks. Joey G