Skin Condition Questions & Answers
dry, itchy ear/ pain in ear
I'm not sure if this is the right board to post this in, but I can't figure out where else to post it. I have been to the dr. for this twice, but he couldn't figure it out. I started having dry, flaky, itchy skin on my right ear about 2 weeks ago. I have very dry skin normally, and have occasional spots of ecsema, so I put aquapfor on my ear, which normally helps the ecsema. It then became painful down inside my ear, and flakes of skin started falling off and oozing clear liquid. It also became really painful down inside my ear and neck. So, I went to my dr. Of course, it was feeling some better that day, so I mentioned it, but focused more on some other issues I was having (which I had tests for and are okay). He looked in my ears, but said as there was no redness and the pain was improving and I didn't have a sore throat, it was likely not serious and would resolve itself. Well, it has gotten worse. It itches like crazy, the dryness/rash has spread to befind my ear and my cheek in front of my ear (still peeling and oozing), mild pain comes and goes, and, most distressing, there are two lumps in my neck behind and below my ear (lymph nodes?). I went back to the dr. yestreday for test results from my other issues, but I hadn't noticed the lumps then, so I didn't show him that. I did show him the skin issues were worse, but he looked and said there was no redness and he didn't feel it was serious.
I'm wondering if it might be an ear infection ( dr. felt it wasn't because no redness or sore throat). I've never had an ear infection before, so I'm wondering what others think. I know this is a skin board, but there are skin issues involved, and there's no ear board! The dr. did say to stop using the aqauphor, as he felt it was best to not put anything in my ear and let it resolve itself. So, I haven't put anything on it for 2 days, and it's getting worse. Oh, my ears are popping some now, too.
Any thoughts?
dry, itchy ear/ pain in ear
I'm not sure if this is the right board to post this in, but I can't figure out where else to post it. I have been to the dr. for this twice, but he couldn't figure it out. I started having dry, flaky, itchy skin on my right ear about 2 weeks ago. I have very dry skin normally, and have occasional spots of ecsema, so I put aquapfor on my ear, which normally helps the ecsema. It then became painful down inside my ear, and flakes of skin started falling off and oozing clear liquid. It also became really painful down inside my ear and neck. So, I went to my dr. Of course, it was feeling some better that day, so I mentioned it, but focused more on some other issues I was having (which I had tests for and are okay). He looked in my ears, but said as there was no redness and the pain was improving and I didn't have a sore throat, it was likely not serious and would resolve itself. Well, it has gotten worse. It itches like crazy, the dryness/rash has spread to befind my ear and my cheek in front of my ear (still peeling and oozing), mild pain comes and goes, and, most distressing, there are two lumps in my neck behind and below my ear (lymph nodes?). I went back to the dr. yestreday for test results from my other issues, but I hadn't noticed the lumps then, so I didn't show him that. I did show him the skin issues were worse, but he looked and said there was no redness and he didn't feel it was serious.
I'm wondering if it might be an ear infection ( dr. felt it wasn't because no redness or sore throat). I've never had an ear infection before, so I'm wondering what others think. I know this is a skin board, but there are skin issues involved, and there's no ear board! The dr. did say to stop using the aqauphor, as he felt it was best to not put anything in my ear and let it resolve itself. So, I haven't put anything on it for 2 days, and it's getting worse. Oh, my ears are popping some now, too.
Any thoughts?
Hello! I have something similar... My left ear always has what looks to be dry skin. However, I have eczema and my doctor tells me that the dry skin in my ear is the eczema. I've never questioned it. I've also had my ears checked several times and there has been no sign of an infection. Unlike you, I have no pain. The only thing I can think of is that you consult further with your doctor because I just don't know now. I think maybe I'll speak with my doctor, also.
I am glad you stopped by and hope it will be a place you will want to return to often to share your thoughts and advice. Good luck to you!
Geri - CL of This-n-That, Acne, Eczema & Skin Conditions & Your Well Being Ages 60 Plus.
As I've explained to the other poster, I'm unclear as to what the dry, flaky skin in your ear could be. I have ecema and the dry, flaky skin in my ear has been contributed to that. Aside from he eczema, I really don't know what else it could be. The best source is your doctor. If you aren't satisfied with his diagnosis, consult a different doctor.Good luck and do let us know what you learned. I am glad you stopped by to post!
I'm curious if others who have this condition have the flaky skin inside, or outside the ear? I have been researching this on the internet, and apparently it is fairly common to have dry skin around the top of the ear, where there may be sun damage. Mine, however, is inside, around the ridge where the ear canal starts. (Well, that's where it started, at least. Now it has spread.) I bought some otc medication for swimmers' ear, which I started using yesterday. I'm going to try that through the weekend and call dr. next week if there's no improvement. I feel silly calling every day for dry ear skin. I feel like he thinks I'm a hypochondriac, but I really only see a dr. about once a year, so he should be able to look at his records and see that I'm not someone who constantly goes to the dr.
