It’s likely you’ve come across someone with a tiny hole above one or both of their ears. It usually appears at the point where the ear cartilage connects to the face, and might look like a lump or a dent. About one in 100 people have them.
They’re called preauricular sinuses, and for the most part, they’re entirely normal. Interestingly, according to evolutionary biologist Neil Shubin, the holes could be an evolutionary remnant of fish gills.
Their frequency actually varies in different parts of the world. In the UK, for example, just under one per cent of people are born with the tiny hole, while in Africa, it’s closer to 10 per cent.
The holes are heriditary and in some cultures have a special meaning, like in Ethiopia, where they’re said to grant wealth.
But sometimes, these sinus cavities can become infected. And, well, lets just say I’ll never get those three hours back. I got into a deep, dark hole of Youtube videos.
I’m just going to share a few images of what happens when it gets infected – then we’ll move on and pretend this never happened.
I'm sorry.
All I'm going to say is that if this made you squirm, don't ever, EVER, google pilonidal cysts.
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My hubby has a hole on both ears, my son only one side. They seem to flare up/get a little funky with heavy colds or sinus infections. Interestingly, only the right side of my hubby's ever flares, and my sons is only on the right.