Dryness of the skin both outside the ear and in the ear canal may indicate different ear and/or skin conditions. In this article, we will look at the most common causes of dry skin in the ears, as well as methods of treating this problem.
What is Dry Skin in Ears?
For some people, having dry skin in ears is just a moderate irritant they live with, while for the other huge majority dry skin in ears is discomforting as the accompanying symptoms are simply too annoying and in some cases can be rather embarrassing.
Have you seen dry skin in your ear canals? Or dry skin behind your ears? Are you believing that it would simply go away? Dry flaky skin in ears might be an allergic reaction or it could just be a symptom of an underlying medical disorder.
Symptoms of Dry Skin in Ears
Dry skin in ears can manifest in many methods:
- Dry skin in ear canals– You may observe that you have actually collected dry flaky skin in ear canals and sometimes the flakes can be seen on your pillow after a nap.
- Dry skin behind ears– You might notice dry flaky/crusty skin behind your ears, dry skin around hairline and ears, and even on the earlobe.
- Itchy ears– Sometimes, the ear canal, ear lobe and even the skin behind the ears can get itchy and this can be rather embarrassing particularly in an office.
- Peeling skin on the ears can be as an outcome of extreme scratching to alleviate itching
- Dry flaky eyebrows which can sometimes be itchy
- Reddened skin in ear canal, earlobe and even the surrounding skin
- There can be also pain in the ear and ear cartilage and blistering skin from bruises from the regular scratches
What Causes Dry Skin in Ears?
Dry and flaky skin in the ears can be caused by excessive hygiene or lack thereof. If you use a match or toothpick with absorbent cotton, a hairpin or other inappropriate objects to clean the ear canals, the skin will be traumatized.
Flaking in the ears can also be a consequence of dehydration, which affects the condition of the skin throughout the body. If the hygiene and drinking regime is observed correctly, but dryness and skin deterioration have not stopped, the causes may be the following:
- Improper diet or vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies;
- decreased immunity;
- allergic reaction;
- fungal infestation of the auricle;
- eczema, psoriasis, allergic dermatosis and other skin diseases;
- Inflammatory process in the ear – otitis media, formation of a boil or pimple;
- diabetes mellitus.
In all of these cases, scaling is not the only symptom, it may be accompanied by itching, pain, swelling, dandruff, or pus in the ears.
Due to Allergic Reaction
People have various body reactions to specific things. For some individuals, they have an allergy to particular beauty products (hairsprays, shampoos, hair dye, etc) or perhaps nickel ear rings which can cause itchy dry skin in ears, which in turn leads to extreme itching that triggers reddening of the ear lobe and even pain in the ear cartilage.
Seborrheic dermatitis
This is a skin condition with an unidentified direct cause and normally causes itchy, dry, flaky skin in ears, around the eyebrows, hairline and nose. The skin might also end up being split, sore and secondarily infected by bacteria
Psoriasis and eczema are likewise common reasons for dry, flaky skin inside the ear and behind the ears.
Fungal diseases of the ears
Inflammatory ear diseases are the most common pathologies of the hearing organ. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. The disease caused by lesions of microscopic parasitic fungi is called mycosis, when the inflammation is localized in the ear area – otomycosis.
Typically, infection occurs through the external auditory canal. Under the influence of pathogens, an inflammatory reaction occurs, which is accompanied by pain, congestion and noise in the ears, hearing disorders, the appearance of pathological discharge. In countries with hot and humid climates, fungal diseases are diagnosed more frequently, but in moderate climates, up to 10% of patients suffer from otomycosis.
The risk group for fungal infections includes people professionally engaged in water sports, who have had surgery on the ear canal or permanently wear hearing aids. In most cases, the disease is unilateral and affects only one ear.
The causative agent of the disease is saprophytic fungi – yeast fungi of the Candida family, molds of the Aspergillus and Penicillium family, actinomycetes and dermatophytes.
Causes of otomycosis
Among the causes of infection are:
- Various injuries to the ear;
- Improper hygiene of the ears, or a complete lack of hygienic care for the ears;
- dermatological diseases – eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, accompanied by itching of the auricle;
- anatomical anomalies of the hearing organ – narrow ear canal, temporal bone hyperplasia, etc;
- complications of inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx;
- imbalance of the microflora of the hearing organ;
- severe allergic reactions;
- diabetes mellitus;
- Prolonged treatment with antibiotics or hormones, which has led to a weakening of the immune system;
- constant stress;
- Use of other people’s earphones, earplugs, headsets, etc.
In terms of localization, inflammation may occur in the outer or inner ear, tympanic membrane, or it may be a complication of surgery and affect the operated area.
Diagnosis of fungal ear disease
The presence of inflammation is diagnosed by examining the ear with otoscopy and on the basis of the patient’s complaints. Microscopic and bacteriological examination of abnormal discharge is done to determine the cause of inflammation, to find the pathogen and determine its sensitivity to antibiotics.
Symptoms of the disease
Signs of fungal inflammation vary depending on the localization of the inflammatory process. Otomycosis of the outer ear is initially characterized by dryness, flaking and itching in the ear canal, congestion and hearing problems. As the inflammation develops, swelling, redness, severe pain and profuse discharge appear, which almost completely fill the ear canal and provoke the development of hearing loss. The inflammatory reaction may cause inflammation and enlargement of regional lymph nodes, the maxillary joint, and the parotid gland.
Fungal inflammation of the middle ear more often develops against a background of purulent infection, accompanied by odorless discharge, decreased sensitivity and hearing. As the inflammation develops, symptoms of intoxication – an increase in body temperature, chills, fever, weakness and joint pains – may appear. Inflammation in the middle ear, especially if prolonged, can have various complications – adhesions, perforation and scarring of the eardrum, irreversible hearing loss.
Otomycosis, which causes inflammation of the eardrum, leads to a significant reduction in hearing, significant discharge, severe pain and a feeling of a foreign body in the ear. The most dangerous complication of otomycosis is damage to the auditory nerve and permanent hearing loss.
Otomycosis treatment
Treatment of the disease is aimed at eliminating the cause of inflammation and includes taking antifungal medications, flushing the ear canal with antimycotic solutions, and applying creams and ointments to the ear canal. It is also necessary to strengthen specific immunity, so it is recommended to take immunomodulators and vitamin preparations.
Prophylaxis of the disease
An important role in the prevention of otomycosis is played by strengthening the immune system, proper care of the ear canal and a balanced diet. Uncontrolled use of hormonal medications and antibiotics is forbidden, it is also important to treat inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs promptly and properly. With recurrent ear diseases, it is necessary to protect the ear canal from water when bathing.
Treatment
There are various treatment options for dry skin in ears, however to treat successfully one needs to figure out the cause and treat appropriately.
For daily habits, lifestyle changes would be required.
- The overzealous ear cleaners would do well to keep in mind that wax is actually good for the ear. Do not remove your ears of natural lubrication by cleaning with cotton buds or q tips often.
- Usage of tight swim caps while swimming to avoid chlorinated water getting into the ear canal would go a long way for swimmers.
- Usage of sunscreen to prevent sunburn and likewise drinking plenty of water to help keep one hydrated
For allergies, examine your individual care products and find that shampoo or hair color that might perhaps be causing the irritation. It would likewise be good if you would utilize non-nickel earrings moving forward if you have an allergy history. Hair shampoos that consist of zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole or selenium sulfide as an active component also help in alleviating itchy symptoms.
For ear infections and chronic skin conditions, go to a physician as moisturizing the skin alone will not cure these diseases and alleviating the symptoms is only a momentary step.
Use of natural home remedy goes a long method in symptom relief of dry skin in ears.
Unless flaking is a symptom of a medical condition that must be treated by a doctor, the following measures can be taken:
- drink more fluids and use nourishing and moisturizing creams;
- Lubricate the skin in the ears with oils such as linseed oil, olive oil, apricot oil, avocado oil, etc;
- protect your ears with headgear in cold and hot weather;
- change your shampoo, soap or shower gel if they make your ears flake inside;
- Eliminate sweets and foods that trigger allergic reactions;
- Take a course of special vitamins.
If the skin in the ears peeling due to a decrease in immunity, you will need a range of therapeutic measures – restoration of body defenses, local treatment and a special diet.
Before you fight with peeling by yourself, be sure to consult with your doctor. He will not only appoint vitamins and medications, but also help make up a system of diet. After all, to get rid of peeling in the ears, it is important to maintain a balance of nutrients in the body.
Home Remedies for Dry Skin in Ears
- Hydrate with cooling based creams: Moisturizing with creams like petroleum jelly or aloe vera based lotions can help ease the dryness in the ear lobe and the surrounding skin. These moisturizers ought to not be applied inside the ear canal.
- Usage Olive Oil: A drop of warm olive oil inside the ear canal helps keep the ear canal oiled. A drop of oil one or two times a week suffices and the ear is rubbed to spread the oil equally.
- Usage of Garlic Oil: A drop or two of garlic oil helps not just to eliminate dryness however also helps in infections, as garlic has actually been found to have an antibacterial property.
- Use of Vinegar: Vinegar has actually also been discovered to be a reliable solution for dry skin in ears, though it must not be utilized alone or pure: dilute vinegar is mixed with some rubbing alcohol for finest outcomes.
