P3. I noticed a strange patch of skin on my sons ear, and with his doctor appointment still a week away

Every parent knows the rush of worry that comes from spotting something unusual on a child’s skin. That’s how it felt when I noticed a strange patch on my son’s ear—he was fine and unbothered, but our doctor’s appointment was still a week away. During that waiting time, I learned that dry, flaky, or irritated skin on a child’s ear is very common. The skin there is thin and sensitive, often reacting to weather changes, soaps, fabrics, or mild irritation.

One of the most frequent causes is eczema, which can appear behind or on the ears and look red, rough, or scaly but is usually manageable. Other possibilities include contact reactions from products, insect bites, minor scratches, or less commonly fungal rashes or psoriasis. While most cases aren’t urgent, parents should watch for warning signs like spreading redness, warmth, oozing, swelling, fever, or pain, which can signal infection and need faster medical care.