Red-hot, itchy ear with bumps - what could it be?

[MamOfTwo]

DD's (8) right ear is periodically turning bright red, hot and itchy with visible raised bumps, like hives. It's happened about three times now. She doesn't have an ear ache but the edge/rim (? not sure what you call that ear part?!) goes red and hot and there are bumps visible on it. Just the one ear. What could this be? She doesn't have pierced ears, and has no food allergies. Haven't changed washing powder or anything like that. Will pop to GP but wondered if anyone could shed any light?

Has she got an itchy head? I ask because I had this when I caught nits! Check her head for lice today and if nothing, then see doctor.

Weirdly we had similar when ds was the same age. Never got to the bottom of it but he's 15 now and doesn't have it now. Iirc he had it on and off for about 2 years. I used to use Anthisan cream I think.

My DD gets keratosis pilaris in various places, one of which is her outer ear. Occasionally the ear gets aggravated and goes red and the spots stand out more. No idea what triggers it. The same happens in her eyebrows, which is harder to cope with. We use Ameliorate cream (from m&s) for other areas of her body, but you are not supposed to use it on the face.

This happens to ds as well, on the first warm day of every year!

It's very odd. i give him an antihistamine, but have no idea what causes it.

Is your dd's ear itchy? Are the bumps flat white ones? Keep an eye and see if it resolves itself. If no other symptoms, I don't think it warrants a trip to the GP. Maybe a chemist instead.

YY first warm day of the year sounds familiar,always happened in Spring/Summer..

Interesting replies, thank you! I did go to the GP (only because she is off to Brownie camp tonight and just wanted to check it was all OK). GP said they are hives on the ear caused by an allergic reaction although would be hard to pinpoint what caused it. Thinking about it, it did first happen on the first warm, no-coat day here. She gave me Cetirizine so will use that if it happens again (although one of the side effects is hives?!). Will check for nits, and check out the creams you have mentioned as would rather treat with cream than medicine. Thank you, Mumsnet!

I have them and I'm 30 about to be 31. It started about 5-6 months ago. I've went to a dermatologists and they have no idea what it is. It itches uncontrollably and the more I scratch it, the bumps get bigger, more red, more itchy, red and super hot. It goes away but comes back every month. The only thing that gets rid of it is antibiotics but it ALWAYS comes back EVERY month!

Sounds a bit like Juvenile Spring Eruption.