Dealing with Ear Eczema

Why Are My Ears Itchy? Dealing With Ear Eczema

Ear eczema is a common skin condition that causes itchiness and redness in and around the ear. It is not contagious, but can cause discomfort and irritation. It is common among those with sensitive skin or those that have allergies or are prone to eczema on other parts of their skin. You may develop redness, bumpy skin, itchy ears, or dry, scaly patches in or around the ear. This can be painful in some cases if not treated.

Causes of Ear Eczema
There are many different reasons that ear eczema can occur. These can include:

• Contact dermatitis: Irritation that occurs because of something that comes in contact with the skin. In the case of the ears, it could be something like shampoo, cosmetics, or jewelry.
• Atopic eczema: Occurs in cases where people are prone to very sensitive skin. If the skin becomes broken or very dry, this type of eczema can occur, causing the skin to crack.
• Otitis eczema: Known as swimmer’s ear, this can be caused by water, shampoo, or other liquid entering the ear.
• Seborrheic dermatitis: This occurs in the glands that produce oil in the body. In the case of ear eczema, this occurs in the ear canal.
• Asteatotic eczema: This typically affects older individuals and can be caused by environmental factors such as extreme temperature changes or dryness.

Treating Ear Eczema

Ear eczema, while irritating and sometimes painful, can be easily treated and managed. There are several options for treating ear eczema. If you are prone to eczema in general, you may already have a regimen that you use. When it comes to the ear canal, you may want to check with your health provider before using any topical treatment, but most treatments will involve one or more of the following:

• Doctor-recommended or medical-grade moisturizer
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Anti-fungal cream
• Steroid ear drops
• Removal or discontinued use of irritating elements such as shampoo or jewelry

Treating eczema and understanding its causes can help you avoid flare ups and keep the irritation to a minimum.

Ear Eczema and Hearing Aids

If you have a hearing aid, you may be more prone to ear eczema. Taking care of your hearing aid and keeping your device and ears clean is essential to avoiding irritation and inflammation. Make sure to keep your hearing aid cleaned and check for any fit issues. If your hearing aid is fitted improperly, it can cause a number of problems, from rubbing and irritation to a buildup of moisture that doesn’t allow the ear to breathe properly. Hearing aids are also made of plastic or synthetic material, which can affect people with sensitive skin and allergies. All of these things can cause irritation that leads to eczema symptoms. Contact your health provider if your hearing aid seems to be causing irritation to avoid eczema flare ups. Contact Elite Hearing Centers today for more information or to schedule an appointment.