My Baby Has a Small Hole Near Their Ear
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Okonkwo, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Neonatologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, AAP, AAP guidelines
Last reviewed:
If your baby has been diagnosed with or you suspect has a small hole near their ear, here is what the evidence says.
The short answer
A preauricular pit (also called preauricular sinus) is a small hole or dimple in front of the ear, present from birth. It's a common, usually harmless birth variation affecting about 1 in 100 babies. Most never cause problems, but occasionally they can become infected, requiring antibiotics or rarely surgery. No treatment is needed unless infection occurs.
Key takeaways
- A preauricular pit (also called preauricular sinus) is a small hole or dimple in front of the ear, present from birth. It's a common, usually harmless birth variation affecting about 1 in 100 babies. Most never cause problems, but occasionally they can become infected, requiring antibiotics or rarely surgery. No treatment is needed unless infection occurs.
- Usually normal when: Your baby has a small hole or dimple in front of the ear that has been present since birth
- Call your doctor if: The area around the pit becomes red, swollen, warm, or painful
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“Fever itself is not an illness — rather, it is a sign or symptom that the body is fighting an infection. Fever stimulates certain defenses, such as the white blood cells, which attack and destroy invading bacteria.”
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP guidelines, a preauricular pit (also called preauricular sinus) is a small hole or dimple in front of the ear, present from birth. It's a common, usually harmless birth variation affecting about 1 in 100 babies. Most never cause problems, but occasionally they can become infected, requiring antibiotics or rarely surgery. No treatment is needed unless infection occurs. At 0-3 months, preauricular pits are noticed at birth or shortly after. They appear as a tiny opening in the skin just in front of the ear, usually near where the ear meets the face. Most are small and barely noticeable. Your pediatrician will document it during well visits. Keep the area clean during baths, but no special care is needed unless it becomes red, swollen, or drains fluid. It is generally considered normal when your baby has a small hole or dimple in front of the ear that has been present since birth. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if the area around the pit becomes red, swollen, warm, or painful.
Normal vs. Concerning
When to Seek Immediate Care
- The area around the pit becomes red, swollen, warm, or painful
- There is increasing drainage or pus coming from the pit
- Your baby has a fever along with redness or swelling near the ear
- A lump or cyst appears near the preauricular pit
By Age
What to expect by age
0-3 months
Preauricular pits are noticed at birth or shortly after. They appear as a tiny opening in the skin just in front of the ear, usually near where the ear meets the face. Most are small and barely noticeable. Your pediatrician will document it during well visits. Keep the area clean during baths, but no special care is needed unless it becomes red, swollen, or drains fluid.
3-12 months
Most preauricular pits remain asymptomatic throughout infancy. Occasionally, you might notice a tiny bit of white or yellowish discharge, which can be normal. However, if the area becomes red, swollen, warm, or painful, or if there's increasing drainage, this may indicate infection. Contact your pediatrician if you notice these signs - infection requires antibiotic treatment.
1-3 years
Preauricular pits that have never been problematic are unlikely to cause issues. Continue with normal hygiene. If your child develops their first infection (redness, swelling, pain, discharge), your pediatrician will prescribe antibiotics. Recurrent infections may require referral to an ENT specialist to discuss possible surgical removal of the pit and underlying tract.
3 years+
Most children with preauricular pits never have problems. If infections have occurred more than once, your doctor may recommend seeing an ENT specialist to consider surgical removal. The procedure is typically elective and done to prevent future infections. If the pit has never been infected, no treatment is needed - it's simply a harmless variation.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed has a small hole near their ear and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if you've noticed the preauricular pit for the first time and want confirmation of what it is.
- Mention if the pit occasionally has a tiny bit of discharge but no other symptoms.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby has a small hole or dimple in front of the ear that has been present since birth
- The area looks normal - same color as surrounding skin, not red or swollen
- Your baby has no pain, drainage, or signs of infection
- The pit was noted by your pediatrician and documented as a benign finding
- Your baby is otherwise healthy and developing normally
- You've noticed the preauricular pit for the first time and want confirmation of what it is
- The pit occasionally has a tiny bit of discharge but no other symptoms
- You have a family history of preauricular pits or other ear abnormalities
- Your baby has other ear or facial variations and you want them evaluated together
- The area around the pit becomes red, swollen, warm, or painful
- There is increasing drainage or pus coming from the pit
- Your baby has a fever along with redness or swelling near the ear
- A lump or cyst appears near the preauricular pit
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice has a small hole near their ear — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby has a small hole or dimple in front of the ear that has been present since birth — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-3 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Follow any care instructions from your pediatrician. Keep a written log of symptoms to bring to appointments.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if the area around the pit becomes red, swollen, warm, or painful.
Related Resources
Frequently asked questions
Is has a small hole near their ear normal?
When should I call the doctor about has a small hole near their ear?
When is has a small hole near their ear normal?
What causes has a small hole near their ear?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about has a small hole near their ear?
Is has a small hole near their ear normal at 0-3 months?
Is has a small hole near their ear normal at 3-12 months?
Should I go to the ER for has a small hole near their ear?
Does has a small hole near their ear go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Has a Small Hole Near Their Ear.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed has a small hole near their ear and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if you've noticed the preauricular pit for the first time and want confirmation of what it is.
- Mention if the pit occasionally has a tiny bit of discharge but no other symptoms.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- You've noticed the preauricular pit for the first time and want confirmation of what it is
- The pit occasionally has a tiny bit of discharge but no other symptoms
- You have a family history of preauricular pits or other ear abnormalities
Urgent signs to report immediately
- The area around the pit becomes red, swollen, warm, or painful
- There is increasing drainage or pus coming from the pit
- Your baby has a fever along with redness or swelling near the ear
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of has a small hole near their ear are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if the area around the pit becomes red, swollen, warm, or painful.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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