Hello everyone!!!

I'm back on today for a quick follow-up question for the group.

Behind my right ear there's a "rash" which MAYBE I itched or scratched?

Over the last ten years I've had occasional little scabby spots (very small) that occasionally I'll subconsciously pick at (sorry this post is sounding so descriptive and gross!)

Anyway I am SUPER careful usually since once in a very rare while if I nick myself shaving or something (mosquito bite etc) I've noticed it takes forever (like 120 years) to "heal"

So this spot is a little different since it's a diluted blood with puss or something that creates a light brown thin crusty scab and when I blot it with a 4x4 its not dark blood but sticky ooze type stuff that for a few weeks now hasn't healed or gotten better.

New normal or time to panic?

Michaelii,

Any unusual symptom that doesn't resolve in 2-3 should be looked into by a doctor. I know what you're talking about with skin dryness behind the ears in the radiated field, which has resulted in my own irritation, blood, and resolved with me leaving it alone, and daily moisturizer like Aquaphot or Cetaphil, but it could be something else, including infection.

Radiated areas do take longer to heal, and being a diabetic, and anemic, it takes longer to heal anything, and have to control my blood sugar, which helps too.

Good luck

Hi Michaelii! I wouldnt necessarily panic over your latest "bump". I suggest going to your family doctor and get it checked out. It sounds to me like it may be infected if its oozing pus. It could be any number of things besides being something serious. You could need to see a dermatologist, use antibiotic ointment or even just a moisturizer. When in doubt, check it out is a good way to think of these things.

After an area is radiated, heeling is then compromised. Think of it like a dart board. The center is the spot that needs radiation but all around that spot you still get some rads. Its called scatter radiation. This area is much bigger than where the rads was originally aimed. Any sore near this area will take a long time to heel, even if its not in the direct line of radiation.

Good luck with this and please stop back to tell us what it is.

I have very similar experience as yours, but mine is behind my left ear (same side I have tonsillar cancer, BTW). Two to three times a year, I would find that at the back of my left ear, a line of crusty scab of about 3/4" long near the bottom of ear. Mine was not a "rash", more like a scar from hard scratch. Usually, it would ooze some pus and streak of blood and I apply Neosporin to it, then it heal in 4 or 5 days.

Hey all... Quick update. Today marks the 11th year anniversary from the diagnosis of the cancer.

Regarding the sore behind my right ear, it is (still) very very slowly getting better.

I try to keep something on it, like antibiotic ointments, etc.

I "think" it will continue to get better and eventually heal. If not, I'll schedule a visit with the doc to have it checked.

THANK YOU everyone!!!!