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Is It Bad to Have a Ball in Your Ear? Here's What It Means

Is It Bad to Have a Ball in Your Ear? Here's What It Means

First Things First: What Do You Mean by "Ball"?

Let’s get one thing straight: when people say there's a “ball” in their ear, they could be talking about different things — a small lump, a piercing ball, a cyst, or even a foreign object stuck in the canal (yikes). So, context matters big time.

For this article, we’ll cover the most common meanings:

  • A small bump or lump under the skin near or in the ear

  • A ball from an earring (usually a piercing issue)

  • A foreign object (like, literal plastic ball — yes, kids do that)

Each of these has different causes, risks, and solutions. Let’s dive into ‘em.

Is a Lump in the Ear Always Dangerous?

Most Common: Sebaceous Cysts or Lymph Nodes

You feel a little ball behind or inside your ear? Chances are it's:

  • A sebaceous cyst (basically a clogged oil gland)

  • A swollen lymph node (from an infection, cold, etc.)

They’re usually painless and not dangerous — unless they get infected. If it starts to hurt, turns red, or oozes anything (ew), time to see a doctor.

Personal note? I had one behind my right ear for months. Felt like a tiny marble. Turned out to be nothing. It went away after a sinus infection cleared. Still freaked me out though.

Other Possibilities: Lipoma or Abscess

  • Lipomas are benign fat tumors — squishy, moveable, harmless.

  • Abscesses are infections filled with pus. Painful. Warm to the touch. Needs drainage. (Don't DIY this unless you like pain and possible scarring.)

So yeah, not every “ball” is bad… but keep an eye (well, a finger) on it.

What If It’s from a Piercing?

Piercing Ball Lost or Embedded?

Some people notice the ball from a barbell earring got stuck in the piercing hole. It might look like it’s under the skin or inside the ear.

That’s usually a swelling issue, sometimes from:

  • Poor aftercare

  • Allergic reaction to metal

  • Sleeping on fresh piercings (don't do it!)

If it’s embedded and you can’t remove it gently with clean hands — don’t force it. Piercing shops see this all the time. They’ll help without causing trauma.

Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars

Another ball-like bump? Might be a keloid. These are tough, rubbery growths from overactive healing. Annoying but not dangerous. Hard to get rid of though.

Some people swear by tea tree oil, but dermatologists recommend stuff like silicone sheets or steroid injections.

Okay, But What If a Kid (or You) Stuck a Ball in There?

Foreign Objects in the Ear Canal

It happens. Beads, foam balls, even peas. (Kids are wildly creative.)

Main risks here:

  • Infection

  • Hearing loss

  • Damage to the eardrum if pushed too far

Don’t go digging with tweezers or cotton swabs. Really. You’ll likely shove it deeper. ENT (ear-nose-throat doctor) has the tools and the angle.

Storytime: My little cousin once had a popcorn kernel stuck in his ear for three days. Nobody noticed until the smell started. 🤢

When to See a Doctor — No Hesitation

Go see a professional if:

  • The ball hurts or grows quickly

  • There’s discharge, bad smell, or fever

  • It messes with your hearing

  • It’s inside your ear and you can’t remove it safely

Don't wait for things to get “worse enough.” Ears are delicate.

Conclusion:
Is it bad to have a ball in your ear? Well… it depends.
Sometimes it’s no biggie — just a clogged gland or a mild piercing reaction. Other times, it’s your body screaming “hey, something's not right!”
So if in doubt, check it out. Your ears aren’t the place to gamble.

How much height should a boy have to look attractive?

Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.

Is 172 cm good for a man?

Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years)
14 Years112.0 lb. (50.8 kg)64.5" (163.8 cm)
15 Years123.5 lb. (56.02 kg)67.0" (170.1 cm)
16 Years134.0 lb. (60.78 kg)68.3" (173.4 cm)
17 Years142.0 lb. (64.41 kg)69.0" (175.2 cm)

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.