Anyone's ears sometimes itch on the outside, and this is absolutely normal. Mild temporary itching and tickling in the ear area can be caused by processes such as skin renewal, the movement of wax in the ears, the ingress of plant pollen into the ears, etc.
If the auricle itches intensely and often, causing an irresistible desire to scratch the skin almost constantly, it is worth worrying. Firstly, scratching the skin can lead to a number of dermatological problems, first of all, infection of microcracks and wounds on the auricle.
By touching the skin with our fingers, scratching the wounds with our nails, we inevitably introduce an infection into the skin devoid of the epidermal barrier.
Secondly, itching may be the first symptom of various dermatological and systemic disorders.
Why are the ears itching outside? The reasons for this condition are manifold - an allergic reaction (to dust mites, household chemicals, jewelry), fungal infection (otomycosis), seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis. Your doctor will help you determine the exact cause. We will tell you what symptoms should attract your attention, and what treatment is required for itching in the auricle of various etiologies.
Itching and flaking
Very often, itching of the auricles is accompanied by their desquamation. Why are earlobes and auricle peeling and itching?
This clinical picture is typical for the following diseases:
- Allergy
Allergic dermatitis can develop in response to various allergens - contact, respiratory, food. It is contact allergens that most often lead to peeling, itching, and sometimes the appearance of a rash on the skin of the ears. Possible reasons for earlobes itching are allergy to jewelry (earrings), shower gel, soap, shampoo.
Nickel, which is often used in the manufacture of jewelry, ranks first in terms of allergenicity among metals.
Allergic dermatitis can also be caused by skin contact with dust mites and mold spores. With food allergies, the tips of the ears itch, cracks and scales of keratinized skin appear under the lobes. For some people, eating a lot of sugar triggers this reaction.
- Fungal infection - otomycosis
Otomycosis affects the skin of the ear canals and auricles. It often develops against the background of antibiotic therapy, in particular, in the treatment of otitis media with antibacterial ear drops. The main
symptoms of otomycosis - dry ears, itching, peeling. In the later stages of the disease, a dark, thick coating appears in the ears, and the skin may ache. Mycosis is treated with antifungal ear drops.
- Seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis affects skin that is rich in sebaceous glands. The causative agent of the disease is a microscopic fungus that feeds on the secretion of the sebaceous glands. In addition to the auricles and the area behind the ears, it often parasitizes the scalp. Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis are peeling of the skin, increased fat content, inflammation of the sebaceous glands, redness. Seborrheic dermatitis requires long-term complex treatment.
- Psoriasis
Psoriasis often affects the ears, but in most cases, the rash can be found on other parts of the body - behind the ears, under the hair, on the flexors of the arms and legs. One of the first symptoms of psoriasis is the formation of papules covered with silvery scales of keratinized skin. When the stratum corneum is removed, bright pink thinned skin is exposed. Psoriasis requires an individual approach to treatment and constant monitoring by a doctor.
Itching and pain
If the ears itch and hurt outside, the causes of the disorder may be as follows:
- "Swimmer's ear"
This is the name of a pathological condition caused by frequent ingestion of chlorinated or contaminated water in the ears. It is especially common among people involved in water sports. Symptoms of the disease are tinnitus, a feeling of stuffiness, itching, pain, peeling. If the described symptoms are accompanied by a decrease in hearing acuity and dizziness, it is possible that the patient had sulfur plugs, which swelled under the influence of water and blocked the ear canal.
Do not try to remove the sulfur plug with cotton swabs and other devices - this is impossible, you will only compress the sulfur mass and push it even deeper.
Try rinsing your ear with hydrogen peroxide, and after the procedure, drip your ear with an alcohol solution of furacilin or ear drops with an antiseptic. Do not postpone treatment - "swimmer's ear" can flow into otitis externa. Since I have played on many gambling sites, I have something to compare with. And Slotspay online casino is a truly worthwhile gambling club. Thanks to the fast withdrawal of prizes, the honesty of the operator and the presence of a generous incentive program.
- Otitis externa
Outer ear inflammation is a common condition, the main symptoms of which are swelling, itching, and pain in the auricle.
The development of otitis externa is facilitated by hypothermia, ingress of water (especially cold and polluted) into the ear canal, decreased immunity, improper hygienic care of the ears.
In most cases, the causative agents of otitis externa are bacteria (staphylococcus, streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), less often - fungi (candida or aspergillus). Also, sometimes they talk about non-infectious otitis externa, meaning eczema, allergic dermatitis and other diseases accompanied by inflammation of the ear tissues.
- Eczema
Eczema comes in many forms and causes. Microbial eczema of the outer ear is often a consequence of untreated otitis externa, purulent otitis media, and improper care. True eczema is a multifactorial disease. With this form of eczema, the lesion takes the form of rashes, which, opening, form many erosions with a weeping surface. Quite often, eczema first affects the fold behind the ear, and then spreads to the auricle. If you suspect eczema, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Itching without accompanying symptoms
It also happens that there is no pathological discharge in the ear canals, pain does not appear, the skin does not peel off, but annoying itching in the ears constantly worries. Why do the ears itch if no other symptoms of the disease are observed? In fact, there are many reasons - from poorly chosen shampoo to tumors and nervous disorders.
The first possible reason is the drying out of the auricle. For example, some people are genetically predisposed to dry ears due to a small number of sulfur glands, or their insufficient activity. Others themselves provoke excessive dryness, abusing the cleaning of the auricles with the help of aggressive cleansers and mechanical devices. The consequence of dryness is periodic itching in the ear canal.
A second possible disorder is idiopathic pruritus (i.e. itching for no specific reason).
In the human body, nothing happens for no reason. With idiopathic itching, there are no symptoms of ear diseases, but this does not mean that a person's health is normal.
Itching of an unexplained etiology indicates that violations occur deeper - in the nervous, digestive, circulatory system.
Indeed, this unpleasant sensation can be a messenger of many different systemic diseases. For example, "unreasonable" itching in the ears is often one of the first symptoms of diabetes. Tumors in various parts of the gastrointestinal tract can provoke itchy skin that appears on certain parts of the body.Other tumors can also trigger this sensation. For example, with Hodgkin's lymphoma, complaints of itching occur in every 4th patient.
Patients with unexplained causes of itching should also consult with a neuropathologist, since this disorder may be associated with inadequate functioning of receptor cells or neurons in the brain. In some cases, the ears itch for psychogenic reasons. If so, sedatives, antidepressants and psychotherapy will bring relief to the sufferer rather than the classic treatment for itching.
Thus, if the cause of itchy ears is not clear, then you have not been well examined.
