22 Reasons Your Right Ear is Burning & What to Do About It

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Learn the spiritual and medical reasons behind burning ears

Co-authored by Bailey Cho Reviewed by Stina Garbis

Last Updated: December 20, 2023 Fact Checked

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Spiritual Meanings

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Medical Causes

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Warnings

A burning right ear can be a reflection of your health, but many people believe it also offers valuable insights into your future. In this article, we’re providing a list of spiritual and medical reasons why your right ear might be feeling hot, along with tips to minimize discomfort. We’ll also explain what symptoms require a visit to your doctor for treatment.

Things You Should Know

A burning right ear is a good omen that means someone is saying good things about you, good news is heading your way, and you're developing your intuition.
If you’re single, a burning right ear might mean your twin flame is thinking about you. In a relationship, it may mean your partner has forgiven you after a fight.
Medically, your ears might burn from temperature changes, allergies, sunburn, or conditions like eczema or red ear syndrome (RES).

Section 1 of 2:

Spiritual Meanings of Your Right Ear Burning

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The most common belief behind a burning right ear is that you’re being praised or appreciated. Someone might be raving about how good you are at something, or they might be talking about how much they love and care about you.^{[1]
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Many people believe that a burning right ear is a way to communicate with their spirit guides, guardian angels, or passed loved ones. You might feel a burning sensation because these higher powers are guiding you, especially if you have to make a difficult decision.^{[2]
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In some cultures, the right side of the body is associated with the sun, which symbolizes luck and positivity. Having a burning right ear could mean that good fortune is coming soon, so if you’ve been having a tough time, prepare to celebrate and watch all your manifestations come true!^{[3]
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A burning sensation in the right ear is often a sign of raising your self-awareness and tapping into your psychic powers. You’ve reached a higher frequency that’s brought you closer to the divine, helping you make better decisions in life.^{[4]
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A burning right ear is said to signal growth in your personal, professional, or spiritual life, so interpret it as a sign to let go of self-limiting beliefs and step out of your comfort zone. By overcoming old habits, you can step into the next chapter of your life with confidence!
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Someone is thinking about you romantically. If you’re single, a burning right ear could mean you’re on someone’s mind and they have romantic feelings for you. The burning sensation may indicate passion, attraction, and growing affection—even if they haven't admitted it to you yet.^{[5]
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- In a relationship, a burning right ear might be a sign of an upcoming proposal or that your partner is thinking intently about you at the moment.
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Your twin flame is trying to connect with you. If you haven't met your twin flame yet, a burning right ear could be a sign that they're thinking of you. You might run into them in an unexpected place, so keep an open heart and mind!
- Signs you'll meet soon include urges to visit a specific place or dreams of meeting someone important.
- Twin flames are partners who share a soul and push each other to grow. They can be romantic or platonic.
Did you recently have a fight with your S.O.? If so, the burning in your ear suggests they’re ready to make up and move forward. A minor bump in a relationship is completely normal, so call (or text) your partner to reconcile your differences.
Sometimes, a burning right ear indicates emotional distress, and it might be your body’s way of telling you to slow down and prioritize yourself. Practice self-care by writing down your feelings, using positive affirmations, and making time for activities that bring you joy.

Section 2 of 2:

Medical Causes of Burning Ears

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1
Increased brain activity When you overthink, your brain needs more blood, which flows up the carotid artery on the side of your neck.^{[6]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} This may cause a burning sensation because your brain is more active than usual.^{[7]
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- Treatment: Meditate to let go of negative thoughts, and write down your worries and concerns on a piece of paper to stop overthinking.
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Intense emotions When you feel angry, excited, embarrassed, shameful, or afraid, your ears might burn because the blood vessels in your face and ears are fluctuating in size.^{[8]
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- Treatment: Do a deep breathing exercise to calm your emotions. Sit in a relaxing position, close your eyes, and inhale and exhale—4 seconds in, 4 seconds out, then repeat.
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Extreme temperatures Exposure to very cold temperatures can cause the blood vessels in your ears to constrict, while exposure to very hot temperatures can make them expand. Your ears might burn as your body tries to regulate your temperature.^{[9]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Treatment: If you’re out in cold weather, wear ear muffs or a fleece headband to protect your ears. In warm weather, stay hydrated and wear a portable neck fan to cool down.
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Sunburn When your skin repairs itself from a sunburn, it can cause burning, blistering, redness, inflammation, swelling, and itchy, peeling skin around your ear.^{[10]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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- Treatment: Apply aloe vera gel to your burn 2-3 times per day, and wear sunscreen when you step outside.
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Allergies Allergens like dust, hay fever, and insect stings can swell up the passage connecting your ear to your throat (Eustachian tube) and increase your risk of developing an ear infection. This may cause pain, pressure, ringing, redness, burning, and fluid buildup in your ear.^{[11]
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- Treatment: Avoid exposure to allergy triggers, and take an over-the-counter antihistamine to ease your symptoms. If you’re unsure of your triggers, ask your doctor about taking an allergy skin test.^{[12]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
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Ear infection This occurs when the narrow passages of your ear swell and trap mucus, causing symptoms like ear pain, redness, burning, swelling, trouble hearing, and fluid drainage from the ear.^{[13]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Treatment: Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage your symptoms at home. If your symptoms last more than 3 days, visit your doctor for treatment.^{[14]
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  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  
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Skin infection A cut, piercing, or any other surface damage to your ear can increase the risk of infection (or otitis externa). This can cause redness, swelling, itching, pain, pus, or a burning sensation in or around your ear, or fever or chills if the infection is severe.^{[15]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK

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- Treatment: Clean your piercing or cut twice a day with a saline solution. If you feel unwell or suspect you have an infection, visit a doctor for treatment.
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Possible skin or ear conditions If your ear is particularly painful or the surrounding skin looks abnormal, record your symptoms and compare them to the following conditions:
- Red ear syndrome (RES): Causes pain, redness, swelling, and burning that can last up to several hours. Take ibuprofen to manage your symptoms at home.^{[16]
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  DermNet NZ
  Online clinical resource website written and run by dermatologists providing evidence-based information about dermatology and skin health
  
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- Erythromelalgia: Causes burning pain, redness, swelling, sweating, and hot skin in the feet, hands, arms, legs, ears, and face. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage discomfort at home.^{[17]
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  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  
  Go to source}
- Atopic dermatitis: Causes dry, itchy, bumpy, swollen, or discolored skin. Use a cotton bud to gently apply a medical emollient to the affected areas.^{[18]
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  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
- Seborrheic eczema: Causes redness, swelling, pain, inflammation, dryness, and scaly patches of skin around the ear. Apply an over-the-counter antifungal cream (like Miconazole) to the affected areas.^{[19]
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- Relapsing polychondritis: Causes inflammation and deterioration in the cartilage of your ear, often accompanied by swelling, redness, sudden pain, and tenderness. Visit your healthcare provider for treatment.^{[20]
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  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
- Acoustic shock (AS): Exposure to sudden, brief, and loud sounds that triggers pain, numbness, tingling, or burning in and around the ear. Wear noise-reducing earplugs when attending concerts or other loud events.

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Warnings

See your healthcare provider if you have recurring or unexplained burning in your ears along with a fever, severe ear pain, sudden hearing loss, swelling around the ear, headache or confusion, weakness in the face muscles, dizziness or balance problems, blood or clear fluid coming from your ear, or vomiting.^{[21]
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Cleveland Clinic
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