in February 2023 Babies 🇺🇸

Crust behind baby's ear?

What is this crust behind one of my 4 month olds ears? You can only see it when you pull his ear outwards. I picked some of the crust off but then thoughtbI should figure out what to do first. Google was no help... -What is it? -I was gonna pick off all the crust and then put aquafor ointment/rash cream (similar consistency to vasoline). Is that wrong? -to pick or not to pick? -wash with soap or no soap? -ointments/rash creams or no?

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My baby had the same due to me not cleaning it during bath time just during his bath wip with a rag with warm water and after his bath put some aquaphor

I def wouldn’t pick it it could be painful but I could clean it with warm water and maybe put some ointment on it

This happened to us too bc of moisture buildup - drool, spit up, sweat etc. cleaning daily and adding ointment cleared it up

If it is skin then don't pick it off. And since you can't tell if it's dirt it skin I would probably be more cautious and not pick it off. Use some warm water to irrigate the area and see if any of the debris loosens. Than apply aquaphor. If you keep applying aquaphor religiously, any crusting that isn't living tissue should come off. If it is a rash it may be something your pediatrician needs to assess.

We had the same thing! I asked the doc it just has to do with sweat, spit, and dirt getting stuck. We just wash extra good behind our ears now. :)