View Full Version : Sores on ears because of helmet


TnNinjaGirl
June 21st, 2009, 07:56 PM
Anyone else have this problem? The other day I started developing sores on the back of my ear lobes from my helmet. They are just really chapped and hurt bad. :( Any thoughts?

Snake
June 21st, 2009, 08:00 PM
This happened to me when I was first trying to break in my new helmet. After 2 months when it was fully broke in / stretched it all whent away and I haven't had a problem since. Try working pulling and pushing the helmet to get it to flex.

kkim
June 21st, 2009, 08:31 PM
what brand/model helmet? there are some that offer different sized liners/pads that you can change out that might help.

Elfling
June 21st, 2009, 09:11 PM
What kkim said, or as a ghetto quick fix- bandaids over the sore spots? Or those gel callous pad things?

Cedilla
June 21st, 2009, 09:30 PM
The pads in my helmet seem to put pressure right in front of my ears which really starts to bother me after about 30min. I just grab my helmet start twisting pushing and pulling on it at stoplights to try to get it off that pressure point:dizzy:(Im sure i look crazy to people in cages lol). If your ears are getting chapped maybe you could put some moisturizer on them before you ride.

ShishkaBOMB
June 21st, 2009, 10:32 PM
TnNinjaGirl and Cedilla, perhaps your helmet does not fit your head right.

I tried on and bought a Shoei after thinking it was a very nice fit. But once i had it and wore it for 30min. or more it felt like a torture device. A lot of pressure was put on my temples to the point where it was unbearable.

I later returned that helmet and spent an hour each wearing helmets in the store. I discovered that i had an odd shaped head after many helmets would not feel comfortable.

zail
June 22nd, 2009, 03:27 AM
I had a problem with my shoei lid where it was pressing on the front of my ear and making it really really sore after about an hour to the point where I would then have earache all night after a ride... I ended up takibng all the lining out and removing bits until I found the exact bit that was pressing and it's fine now! Good luck :)

Banzai
June 22nd, 2009, 04:41 AM
That's the issue with helmets, they feel good at the store, but after an hour of riding, you always seem to find the bad points.

If it's fully broken in, AND you're committed to that helmet, you might want to try altering the foam inside a little bit to get a more comfortable fit.

Other than that, it's like was said above, you have to wear them around the store to find one that's gonna work first try. I use the local stores for sizing and fit, then order online and get the better pricing.

DerTeufel
June 22nd, 2009, 05:34 AM
Helmets have different shapes, just our heads have different shapes. Picking the right helmet can be time consuming. In regards to altering the foam, I wouldn't do that. The liner or padding you could modify, but not the shock absorbing part of the helmet.

tjkamper
June 22nd, 2009, 05:35 AM
<<<Just a thought>>>

Are you wearing earings? You might want to leave them at home or in a tank bag when you ride.

TrueFaith
June 22nd, 2009, 07:48 AM
This is not something to take lightly! If your ears are subjected to constant pressure, sores can develop on your ears that DO NOT GO AWAY. These sores can also be caused by excessive telephone use or even constantly sleeping on your side with pressure from your pillow on only one ear. The only way to get rid of them is surgically, as in have them cut out.
Your ears do not have very good blood circulation and any sore on them can develop into one of these permanent hard and sensitive spots that do not heal normally. If you do not do what you can to prevent them from forming they will be a constant source of irritation and can actually get even worse. Get yourself a helmet that FITS as soon as possible. No part of your ear should contact the helmet inside the ear cup.

TnNinjaGirl
June 22nd, 2009, 08:40 AM
It's a Fulmer Visigoth. I haven't had this problem until recently. I've had the helmet for about 4 months now. All of a sudden it just started chapping my ear lobes. I never noticed any pain of any kind before.

Apex
June 22nd, 2009, 08:45 AM
The curse of the dragon!!! lol


Hope your ears get better CB!

JMIrrobali
June 22nd, 2009, 08:47 AM
When I was breaking in my new helmet (exo1000 Scorpion), I had the same problem, chapped/scratched ear lobes. I still use the helmet today and do not have the problem; so perhaps the helmet does fit, just your ears need to adjust?

TnNinjaGirl
June 22nd, 2009, 10:55 AM
Hmm... Thanks everyone. It's strange so many people have had this problem and no one really knew about it. I guess I'll just keep an eye on everything to make sure my little ears don't have to get little(er). I'd sure hate to have to lop them off. :(

Snake
June 22nd, 2009, 11:16 AM
Hmm... Thanks everyone. It's strange so many people have had this problem and no one really knew about it. I guess I'll just keep an eye on everything to make sure my little ears don't have to get little(er). I'd sure hate to have to lop them off. :(

If it continues for more than a few days than you may want to see your doctor to be sure.

Apex
June 22nd, 2009, 11:55 AM
My Shoei RF1000 has a perfect pocket for my ears to sit in. I tried several helmets and I guess I lucked out with my purchase.

KJohnson21
June 22nd, 2009, 12:35 PM
CB, did your ears get too much sun at the lake? :rolleyes:

Usually the only time I get an ear problem with my helmet is when my hair gets just long enough to have the hair-tips brushing a spot repetitively.

CC Cowboy
June 22nd, 2009, 02:55 PM
This is not something to take lightly! If your ears are subjected to constant pressure, sores can develop on your ears that DO NOT GO AWAY. These sores can also be caused by excessive telephone use or even constantly sleeping on your side with pressure from your pillow on only one ear. The only way to get rid of them is surgically, as in have them cut out.
Your ears do not have very good blood circulation and any sore on them can develop into one of these permanent hard and sensitive spots that do not heal normally. If you do not do what you can to prevent them from forming they will be a constant source of irritation and can actually get even worse. Get yourself a helmet that FITS as soon as possible. No part of your ear should contact the helmet inside the ear cup.

Wayne, good to see you on here buddy. Have you been riding lately (I hear there's been a little rain).

I thought pennicilin could cure those sores, you mean you have to have them cut out? How do you get these sores again? Listening for crotch pheasants?

Jiu Jitsu Player
June 22nd, 2009, 04:50 PM
This is not something to take lightly! If your ears are subjected to constant pressure, sores can develop on your ears that DO NOT GO AWAY. These sores can also be caused by excessive telephone use or even constantly sleeping on your side with pressure from your pillow on only one ear. The only way to get rid of them is surgically, as in have them cut out.
Your ears do not have very good blood circulation and any sore on them can develop into one of these permanent hard and sensitive spots that do not heal normally. If you do not do what you can to prevent them from forming they will be a constant source of irritation and can actually get even worse. Get yourself a helmet that FITS as soon as possible. No part of your ear should contact the helmet inside the ear cup.

I've been battling cauli ears for a while now. It's usually a result of wrestling but there are other ways to get them. Anyhow, when its really sore sometimes I'll wear wrestling ear guards under my helmet. Probably not the coolest looking things to have on, but they help protect your ears and the soreness isnt as bad. You can do a google search for wrestling ear guards. I would suggest the foam ones as they're pretty lightweight but work well inside the helmet.

Tubesock
June 22nd, 2009, 05:33 PM
I'm used to the helmet not because I've ridden for a long time but because I wrestled for a long time and my ears are used to getting roughed up. After years of practice u get used to having your ears curled up and beat on.

ajaygraci
June 22nd, 2009, 05:56 PM
omg this happened to me too but it stoppped after awhile... they were like pimple in my ear from sweat.. eww

Sailariel
June 22nd, 2009, 06:08 PM
This is not something to take lightly! If your ears are subjected to constant pressure, sores can develop on your ears that DO NOT GO AWAY. These sores can also be caused by excessive telephone use or even constantly sleeping on your side with pressure from your pillow on only one ear. The only way to get rid of them is surgically, as in have them cut out.
Your ears do not have very good blood circulation and any sore on them can develop into one of these permanent hard and sensitive spots that do not heal normally. If you do not do what you can to prevent them from forming they will be a constant source of irritation and can actually get even worse. Get yourself a helmet that FITS as soon as possible. No part of your ear should contact the helmet inside the ear cup.

Wayne, As a retired Physician`s Assistant, I second that. You are absolutely correct.

Snake
June 22nd, 2009, 06:11 PM
Thats why I said if it persists she needs to go see her doctoe before it gets worse.

Sailariel
June 22nd, 2009, 06:38 PM
Thats why I said if it persists she needs to go see her doctoe before it gets worse.

For Sure.

Jiu Jitsu Player
June 22nd, 2009, 07:07 PM
hopefully your doctoe doesn't get stubbed.

TnNinjaGirl
June 23rd, 2009, 05:28 AM
I haven't been riding for a few days and they seem to be getting better. I'd rather not provoke them into hurting more. Once they heal up and I ride again I'll see if they get sore again or what happens.

rockNroll
June 23rd, 2009, 10:11 AM
I've had sore ears from a couple different helmets and found that it was mostly being caused by puttin on and removing the lid. Try lifting the helmet different when removing.. like lift the front higher then off or lift the rear higher then off... try this when putting it on too...know what I mean? :D You might find that a different technique might be easier on them ears.

Banzai
June 23rd, 2009, 10:39 AM
I've had sore ears from a couple different helmets and found that it was mostly being caused by puttin on and removing the lid. Try lifting the helmet different when removing.. like lift the front higher then off or lift the rear higher then off... try this when putting it on too...know what I mean? :D You might find that a different technique might be easier on them ears.


I had that problem with a very expensive Icon lid. Oddly enough, it felt good at the shop where I bought it. But no matter what I did, it ripped my ears off every time putting it on and taking it off in daily use. Even the age old method of pulling the straps out while putting on/pulling off didn't help. Away to Craigslist it went, and good riddance.

addy126
June 25th, 2009, 09:19 PM
My 1st 2007 helmet (GMax Dragon Blk/Red) when removing it quickly separated the skin from the cartilage in the upper part of right ear. Cauliflower started, went in 2 days later to specialist and had it frozen, lanced, packed and stitched into the ear to secure it. Antibiotics etc. Fixed it in 2 weeks... I now pull the helmets I have wider with the straps and slowly push it down onto the head. Don't jam it in. Pull straps out wider to take off slowly with a little one ear first coming out tilt other ear to follow works for me. Its the neckroll area that causes me problems, not the internal components. Now and again the bottom lobes get irriated and I think its only because of not being extra careful in pulling and removing slowly. In a couple days it goes away... just slow it down and pull harder <grin>