Why Do Guys Ears Turn Red

“Your date is making you wait for what seems like forever at your favorite dinner spot. Your phone is ringing off the hook with friends calling to check on you before they call you back later that night. You’re hot, tired, hungry, and annoyed by all of these distractions. Finally, after hours on hold with customer service, you are able to get through to your friend’s voicemail — just when he said he would be there. He apologizes profusely and promises to make it up to you. But something about his voice sounds familiar. It suddenly dawns on you why his voice sounded so… familiar. Your earlobes are red! Why do guys’ ears turn red? Is this some kind of sign from nature that says “”I’m not interested””? Or does it mean that he has been lying to you all along? Read the next page to find out.
Typically, flushing happens because of an intense emotional response, such as anger or embarrassment. Flush reactions can also develop because of a rapid change in temperature, alcohol use, and hormonal changes. Red ears due to flushing may also cause the ears to feel warm.
Flushing isn’t always caused by embarrassment. Some people have naturally sensitive skin and experience flush reactions easily when their body temperature rises rapidly (such as during exercise). Others get embarrassed because they have a tendency toward low self-esteem; feeling good about yourself is often associated with being confident and secure. In addition, many men who are shy or uncomfortable around women tend to blush when they are nervous. This is called blushing. Blushing doesn’t necessarily indicate feelings of guilt for cheating on a girlfriend, but rather indicates anxiety over meeting new people. Men who have experienced sudden embarrassment in public may also start to sweat heavily without realizing it. Sweating is another reason for red ears.
Some other reasons for red ears include:
Hormonal changes. A woman’s estrogen level fluctuates throughout her monthly cycle. During ovulation, which typically occurs once per month, estrogen levels increase dramatically. Estrogen causes blood vessels near hair follicles to dilate. As a result, increased circulation increases the diameter of the arteries to allow more blood flow into the head area. The dilation of the artery between the tragus of the ear and the lobe (the helical vein) allows blood to pool in the head, resulting in reddening. This explains how ear lobes can turn red during certain times of the month. Hormone fluctuations can also affect facial coloration, causing cheeks to become flushed.
Alcohol use. Alcohol consumption affects the vascular system, increasing blood pressure and heart rate. When drinking becomes excessive, however, vasodilatation leads to poor oxygen exchange and tissue hypoxia. This results in tissue damage. Drinkers frequently complain of headaches, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, and tingling sensations of numbness. These symptoms are attributed to a lack of oxygenated blood reaching the brain and central nervous system, leading to confusion, slurred speech, and a general feeling of drunkenness. Excessive drinking can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, kidney disease, liver failure, hypertension, stroke, dementia, and death.

Skin conditions. Conditions affecting the skin itself can cause red ears. Rosacea, hives, eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and sunburn are examples of diseases that cause earlobe redness. Rosacea affects the face and eyes, and can cause redness, irritation, pustules, papules, nodules, ocular rosacea, enlarged pores, telangiectasias, and broken capillaries. Eczema is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by itching and inflammation. Hives occur when mast cells release histamine, causing small raised welts to form. Psoriasis is a common autoimmune disorder marked by patches of thickened scales covered in dead skin cells. Contact dermatitis is a rash caused by exposure to irritants such as poison ivy, nickel, or rubber gloves. Sunburn develops when ultraviolet rays penetrate the dermis and cause sunburned cells to build up beneath the surface of the skin where they produce melanin. Melanin protects skin cells from the sun’s radiation, but if too much builds up, it darkens the skin, forming freckles or age spots.

Head trauma. Head injuries that involve bleeding within the skull can cause earlobes to swell. If a patient complains of pain in the ear while having a CT scan performed, a concussion could be present. Trauma patients should receive a complete physical examination including inspection of the ears.

How to avoid becoming a victim of earredness
The following tips will help you avoid getting red ears:
Don’t drink excessively. Drinking large amounts of alcohol quickly can raise heart rate, decrease the amount of oxygen available to the brain, reduce inhibitions, and slow reaction time. Excessively drinking can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, kidney damage, liver failure, high blood pressure, strokes, dementia, and death.

Avoid smoking. Smoking damages lung function, reduces blood supply to the lungs, and constricts the blood vessels of parts of the body including the ears. Smokers should try to quit smoking completely.

Wear sunscreen. Exposure to sunlight can cause sunburn and increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Use sunscreen liberally when outdoors. Wear protective clothing such as hats and long sleeves.

Limit exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke.

Maintain proper nutrition. Consume adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals. Vitamins C and E protect against cell damage caused by free radicals produced during metabolism. Zinc helps maintain healthy immune function. Selenium is an antioxidant selenium compounds, and studies show that supplementation with selenomethionine lowers the risk of prostate cancer.

Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation impairs judgment, memory, reaction times, and mood.

Exercise regularly. Exercise improves cardiovascular health and reduces stress. Adequate rest and moderate exercise are essential components of a healthy lifestyle.

Manage stress. Stress interferes with normal communication among neurons. Chronic stress disrupts the balance of hormones and neurotransmitters.

Eat well-balanced meals. Nutrient deficiencies can contribute to fatigue. Foods rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamin B12, folic acid, and protein provide energy and support muscle development. A balanced diet provides sufficient calories, protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals necessary for health.”