Do you sometimes itch your ears very annoyingly? Does the skin inside and outside the ear feel dry and flaky? Maybe it's red and has small blisters. Even though you think it's just a small thing, sometimes it can be a little annoying. In medicine, we call this condition 'Ear Eczema'. Don't worry, this is not a contagious disease. And it is a condition that can be well controlled. We will talk about this in a simple way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is Ear Eczema?
Ear eczema, or as we medically call it ``atopic dermatitis,'' is a condition where your skin becomes dry, discolored, itchy, and sometimes appears as small blisters. It can occur on the outside of your ear, or in the ear canal inside your ear.
Think of our skin as a wall made of bricks. The bricks (skin cells) in this wall are held together by mortar. This mortar is what keeps the skin moist and protects us from germs and harmful substances coming from outside. What happens to someone with eczema is that the function of this "mortar" in the skin (skin barrier function) is weakened. As a result, the moisture in the skin evaporates easily. That's why the skin becomes dry, itchy, and easily susceptible to infections .
What is the difference between eczema and psoriasis?
Many people confuse these two skin diseases. However, these two are two different skin conditions. They differ in the location of their occurrence, the extent of the itching, and the appearance. Let's look at the difference between the two to make it easier for you to understand.
| Attribute | Ear Eczema | Psoriasis |
|---|---|---|
| Itching | A very intense, annoying itch occurs. | Itching is relatively mild. Sometimes a slight burning sensation may be felt. |
| Appearance | The skin becomes dry, red, sometimes oozing fluid, and crusty. | The skin thickens and forms plaques covered with silver or white scales. |
| Affected places | It affects areas such as the ear, behind the ear, earlobes, and ear canal. | It is commonly seen in places like the skull, elbows, and knees. |
Who is most likely to get this condition?
Ear eczema can affect anyone, but some people are more likely to develop it.
- If someone in your family has eczema, asthma, or allergies, this may be hereditary.
- If you have asthma.
- If you have allergies to environmental things like dust and pollen.
- If you have conditions like hay fever (allergic rhinitis).
This is a very common condition. Consider this: 15 to 30 out of 100 children have eczema . It can affect 2 to 10 out of 100 adults. So if you have it, you're not alone.
What are the effects of ear eczema on the body?
This condition mainly affects your ear and the skin around it.
- The outer part of your ear (pinna) and the earlobes.
- The ear canal inside the ear.
- The skin behind the ear.
- The skin between the ear and the face.
The skin in these areas can be very itchy, red or brown, dry and flaky, and sometimes thickened .
In severe cases, the skin may crack and ooze a yellow or white fluid (called pus). If the eczema is severe inside the ear canal, you may experience a ringing sound in the ear (tinnitus) or hearing loss.
Eczema is usually not painful. However, if you scratch and break the skin, bacteria can enter and cause an infection, which can cause pain . Therefore, it is very important to avoid scratching.
Why does ear eczema develop? What are the causes?
There is not one single cause of eczema in the ear, but several. There are mainly several types of eczema.
| Eczema type | What happens with this? |
|---|---|
| Allergic eczema (Allergic eczema / `contact dermatitis`) | Your body's immune system overreacts to something that is normally harmless. Examples include: earrings made of metals like nickel, some shampoos, soaps, headphones, and phones. |
| Asteatotic Eczema | This is most common in people over the age of 65. This eczema occurs when the skin dries out, especially when exposed to cold weather, which means dry, low-humidity air. Harsh soaps and woolen clothing can also cause it. |
| Seborrheic Dermatitis | It mostly affects oily areas of the body, such as the ears, scalp, nose, and chest. It is believed to be caused by an overgrowth of a type of yeast that lives on the surface of the skin. |
How does the doctor diagnose this as eczema?
When you go to see a doctor, the first thing he or she will do is examine your ear. He or she will look for common signs of eczema, such as skin discoloration and dryness. He or she may also use a small lighted instrument called an otoscope to look inside your ear.
In addition, they will ask about your symptoms, how long you have had this condition, and whether anyone in your family has had this type of skin disease.
Usually, this test can tell if it's eczema. However, sometimes, if you suspect it's another condition, you can do the following tests to find out for sure:
- Allergy skin test: See if you are allergic to something.
- Blood tests: To check for other internal causes that could be causing skin diseases.
- Skin biopsy: A test that is only done if necessary to confirm the exact nature of the skin condition.
How to cure this eczema in the ear?
The two main goals of treating this are to reduce itching and discomfort and to prevent infection . There are things you can do at home and treatments that your doctor can prescribe.
Things you can do at home
- Stay away from allergens: Find out what you are allergic to and avoid them. Especially stop wearing earrings made of metals like nickel and cobalt.
- Moisturize: This is very important. Apply a good moisturizer cream or ointment several times a day, especially after bathing. Creams/ointments are better than lotions because they are more oily and help keep the skin moisturized for longer.
- Stop scratching: Scratching can damage the skin and lead to infections. If the itching is difficult to control, talk to a doctor.
- Be careful when bathing: Bathe in lukewarm water, not hot water. Do not bathe for more than 15 minutes. Instead of harsh soaps, use a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic soap that is suitable for sensitive skin.
- Choose the right clothes: Wear cotton clothes. Fabrics like wool and silk can dry out the skin even more.
- Hydrocortisone cream: You can use a hydrocortisone cream that you can buy at the pharmacy to reduce itching and redness. However, it is wise to consult a doctor before using these for a long time.
- Will petroleum jelly (Vaseline™) help? Yes. Things like Vaseline provide a good protective layer for the skin. You can wash the ear with lukewarm water and apply a thin layer with a clean cotton swab.
Treatment provided by the doctor
If you can't control it with home remedies, your doctor will prescribe medication.
- Steroid creams: These are very effective in controlling eczema. They should be used only in the amount and for the prescribed period of time as prescribed by your doctor.
- Other medications: Sometimes oral pills, injections, or ear drops may be given.
- Modern medicines: There are now modern types of ointments, such as topical immunomodulators (TIMs), which have fewer side effects and alter the functioning of the immune system.
- Phototherapy: This involves directing ultraviolet light from special lamps onto the skin to control eczema.
Can this condition be completely cured?
Eczema is a chronic condition. That means there is no cure for it. But don't worry. With the right treatment and a good skin care routine, you can control your symptoms and live a normal life.
Sometimes it goes away completely. We call this a 'remission' period. It can come back again due to certain triggers. Our goal should be to prolong this 'remission' period as much as possible.
What can you do to prevent eczema from coming back?
- Create your own skin care routine: Make it a habit to apply moisturizer daily.
- Avoid things that are bad for you: Find out what triggers your eczema and stay away from them.
- Avoid scratching or picking at the skin.
- Drink plenty of water: Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day helps keep your skin hydrated.
- Avoid sudden changes in temperature and humidity.
- Reduce stress: For some people, stress can also worsen eczema.
When should I see a doctor?
It's best to see a doctor as soon as you notice symptoms of ear eczema. The sooner you start treatment, the easier it is to control. Especially,
- If the itching is unbearable
- If there is fluid or pus draining from the skin
- If you have pain or fever
- If hearing is affected
Seek medical advice immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Ear eczema is a common, but non-contagious skin condition.
- The main reason for this is that the skin's protective processes are weakened, which causes the skin to become dry and itchy.
- The main goal of treatment is to reduce itching and prevent infection.
- It is very important to identify what triggers you are allergic to and avoid them.
- Make it a habit to use a good moisturizer daily, especially after bathing.
- Avoid scratching as much as possible. Scratching can make the condition worse.
- If you have these symptoms, be sure to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
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