I noticed a strange patch of skin on my son’s ear this morning. His doctor appointment is still a week away — what should I do in the meantime?

Understanding and Managing a Strange Patch of Skin on Your Child’s Ear
Noticing an unusual patch of skin on your child can be concerning for any parent. Whether it’s a discoloration, thickened area, peeling, rash, or a lesion, the uncertainty often leads to anxiety. While it’s important to have a medical professional evaluate any new skin changes, there are steps you can take in the meantime to monitor, care for, and protect your child’s skin until your appointment.

This guide will provide detailed information on potential causes, home care measures, warning signs that require urgent attention, and tips for tracking changes in your child’s skin.

1. Initial Assessment: Observing the Patch Carefully
The first step when noticing a new patch of skin is careful observation. Take note of the following characteristics:

Location: Which part of the ear is affected? Outer ear, earlobe, or inner ear canal?

Size and shape: Is it small and circular, or does it cover a large area? Is it symmetrical?

Color: Is it red, white, brown, blue, or black?

Texture: Is the skin smooth, scaly, crusted, thickened, or blistered?

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