Who Gets Them? A Look at the Genetic Lottery
If you don’t have one, you are in the vast majority. Preauricular pits are relatively uncommon, but their prevalence varies wildly depending on your genetic background and where you are in the world.
- In the United States and the UK: Only about 0.1% to 1% of the population has this unique ear mark.
- In Asia: The numbers jump significantly, with up to 10% of people carrying the trait.
- In parts of Africa: The prevalence is roughly 4% to 10%.
Because it is a congenital trait, it is often hereditary. If you have one, there is a strong chance that one of your parents does, too, or that you might pass it down to your own children.
Should You Be Worried? (The Health Reality)
If you just discovered you have a preauricular pit, take a deep breath: they are almost entirely harmless. They do not affect your hearing, they are not a sign of a severe underlying disease, and the vast majority of people live their entire lives without ever giving their little ear dimple a second thought.
