Ear eczema: Symptoms, causes, and treatment

Eczema can appear anywhere on the body, including the outside of the ear or inside the ear canal.

People with ear eczema may notice dry, flaky skin in or around their ears. This symptom may develop after contact with specific triggers, such as beauty products or metal jewelry.

Ear eczema may lead to infection and inflammation of the ear canal, called acute otitis externa. Using a range of treatment and prevention methods, people can often reduce ear eczema symptoms and flares.

Ear eczema is a red, itchy rash that develops on the outside of the ear or inside the ear canal.

Ear eczema can sometimes arise without any triggers, in which case it is called aural eczematoid dermatitis. People who are prone to seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis are more likely than others to have aural eczematoid dermatitis.

Contact with certain irritants can also cause ear eczema. This type of eczema is called contact dermatitis. Soaps, hair dyes, and metal jewelry can all trigger contact dermatitis in and around the ears.

Babies and children commonly get areas of eczema on the face, including the ears. This inflammatory skin condition is not contagious.

Ear eczema causes symptoms that are similar to those of eczema on other parts of the body. People with ear eczema may experience:

The symptoms of ear eczema can also affect the area behind the ear and the crease where the ear attaches to the head.

For most people, the symptoms of eczema will be mild to moderate. However, in some cases, the itching can become intense and lead to the following:

People should avoid scratching eczema, as this can lead to very inflamed areas of skin that may bleed and make eczema symptoms worse.

Doctors and researchers are not sure exactly what causes eczema, but they believe that many factors may play a role.

These factors might include a gene mutation that affects a protein called filaggrin, which develops a protective barrier on the skin. This mutation could leave the skin vulnerable to irritation and infection.

Many people with eczema also have overactive immune systems. When they encounter a trigger, their immune system reacts by causing skin inflammation.

Common triggers for eczema include:

Doctors can often diagnose eczema, including ear eczema, with a routine physical examination. As well as carrying out a visual assessment of the area, they will ask the individual about any symptoms.

In some cases, doctors may order skin tests to help diagnose the specific form of eczema or identify which allergens are triggering the persons symptoms.

The primary treatment for people with eczema generally involves using home remedies and making lifestyle changes.

Home remedies for ear eczema include the following:

For some people with ear eczema, home remedies and lifestyle changes are insufficient to manage the condition.

It may take some trial and error to find an effective treatment for ear eczema. However, a doctor can recommend different treatment options or combinations of treatments.

The treatment for ear eczema may include a combination of the following:

People may mistake ear eczema for other skin conditions with similar symptoms, including:

In most cases, a doctor can identify eczema and recommend suitable treatments.

Ear eczema is not usually severe. However, the itchiness and dry skin can be frustrating, and these symptoms can get worse if people scratch the affected area. Eczema inside the ear can also make people prone to ear canal infections.

However, with proper treatment, eczema generally clears up with no long-term effects. Most people with ear eczema can successfully manage their condition with the help of a doctor and some home remedies and lifestyle changes.

Visit link:
Ear eczema: Symptoms, causes, and treatment