If the symptoms are occurring in your external ear canal, steroid ear drops are typically the go-to therapeutic modality. Topical steroids are also beneficial for seborrheic dermatitis. Therefore, applying an antifungal ointment can be quite effective. You can also ask your doctor about allergy testing to identify the exact triggers of your ear eczema.įor seborrheic dermatitis, the treatment focuses on getting rid of the fungus (e.g., Malassezia furfur). If wearing earrings is what’s irritating your skin, it is time to remove them. ![]() If a makeup product is triggering flare-ups, you need to find an alternative that is suitable for your skin. The treatment of ear eczema depends on the underlying cause and where it’s occurring.įor instance, contact dermatitis requires the elimination of the exacerbating factor. This exam will confirm the diagnosis of eczema or find evidence of other skin disorders (e.g., psoriasis). The procedure involves taking a small sample of your skin cells to inspect under the microscope. In some cases, a skin biopsy is required to unveil the etiology of your eczema. If you have a medical history of eczema, with a clear presentation of this condition, your doctor will usually make the diagnosis right away. This device comes with a source of light and a zooming lens to provide a clear image of the ear canal. The next step involves using an otoscope to see what’s going on inside your ear canal. This includes a general inspection of your ear’s anatomy to look for any abnormalities. Your doctor will start by examining your ear. The diagnosis of ear eczema is generally a straightforward process. Your doctor may use an otoscope to visualize the aural canal. ![]() However, ear eczema can also occur in the aural canal, which connects between the eardrum and the ear’s opening. The symptoms listed above are usually visible since they affect the outer ear. For this reason, patients may complain of flareups during the winter season, as indoor heating dries up the air more than usual. The most acknowledged worsening factor of ear eczema is dry weather. Like all other forms of eczema, the signs and symptoms of ear dermatitis vary from one person to another.Įxpect to see the following clinical presentation:įurthermore, some patients develop ear discharges. Some factors that worsen asteatotic eczema are indoor heating, windy conditions, and over-washing. It often occurs when your skin gets exposed to drastic changes in the weather. This form of eczema is more prevalent in older people. With that said, most researchers agree that it results from a subclinical fungal infection that invades oily areas of the skin. So far, we do not have a full understanding of what causes seborrheic dermatitis. However, the ears are also affected by seborrheic dermatitis. It generally occurs in oily areas of the body, such as the scalp and upper trunk. If you’ve read our previous articles, you are probably familiar with seborrheic dermatitis. Some of the irritants that cause allergic eczema include: We referred to this condition as contact dermatitis above. Generally speaking, we can summarize the causes of ear eczema into three types:Īllergic eczema arises when you get in contact with certain irritants. Depending on the type you have, the causes and risk factors can vary. We already touched on some common causes of ear eczema above. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about ear eczema, including its causes, symptoms, and treatments. Regardless of the type of eczema, it is not contagious. ![]() However, it typically affects other areas of the body – not just the ears. Examples of these irritants include hair dyes, soaps, and metal jewelry.Įar eczema is more common in babies and children. You can also develop ear eczema if you get in contact with certain irritants. Note that individuals with a history of psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis are at a higher risk of developing AED. Dermatologists refer to this type of ear eczema as aural eczematoid dermatitis (AED). In some cases, this condition develops without any apparent triggers. A typical presentation of ear eczema is a red, itchy rash that occurs inside the ear canal or on the outer side of your ear. Ear eczema is a form of dermatitis that affects the ears.
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