It’s relatively common for children to be born with extra pieces of skin, or ear tags, around the front of the ear. Infant skin tags are different from adult skin tags because they may not just be skin. Infant skin tags can contain fat and cartilage.
Infant skin tags may occur by themselves or as as a result of potential issues with the inner ear, facial bones, and/or kidney. If your infant has ear skin tags, the pediatrician may check the baby for any abnormalities with his or her system and refer the child to an ear, nose, and throat doctor to evaluate whether there is any hearing loss.
There are several methods a doctor may use to remove the skin tag, depending on whether the tag is made up of skin only or skin and cartilage and how large it is. The larger the tag the more likely surgery will be needed.
If the tag is closer to the cheek than the ear, your pediatrician may recommend waiting until the child is at least 4 years old before surgically removing the tag. In infants, the facial nerve is very close to the surface of the skin, but at around age 4 the nerve naturally buries deeper into the face.
If your pediatrician has recommend that your child visit an ear, nose, and throat doctor, the knowledgable staff of specialists at OrlandoENT here for you. Make an appointment at our Orlando or Oviedo office.
