Usually an adult is not in a hurry to a medical institution if there are any health problems, especially if it is a rash. As a rule, everything is attributed to poor ecology or severe fatigue, poor nutrition. If crusts behind the ears, cracks or redness appear, then the person tries to more closely monitor hygiene. But cracks behind the auricle can appear against the background of serious pathological processes. Therefore, if a crack appears behind the ear, you should immediately contact a dermatologist who will conduct the necessary tests and make a diagnosis, because there are many reasons for this condition.
Possible and fairly quick fixes
First of all, one should not forget about personal hygiene in any area of the body. It is necessary to clean not only the area behind the ears, but also regularly clean the ear of sulfur.
Another common cause is a lack of vitamins. The lack of vitamins and nutrients is especially acute in the winter, the skin becomes dry and may crack over time. In light of this, it is necessary to adjust nutrition, take vitamin-mineral complexes.
Dry skin is another cause of cracks in the ears. The problem in such cases is only that the body does not have enough moisture. This may be due to an excessively dry climate in the place of residence of the person or poor nutrition, insufficient intake of water in the body. Depending on the alleged cause of dry skin, treatment is also prescribed, you may only need to drink more water and moisturize the area around the ears.
For the same reason, or after an infectious disease, the body's immune forces can weaken, which often leads to problems with the skin.
Stress is also a fairly common cause. As you know, all problems from nerves, and the skin is no exception.
Cracks behind the ear can appear against the background of hormonal failure, and most often this occurs during the period of gestation. Although such failures can occur in people of any gender, age, for example, while taking certain medications.
Another reason is thermal urticaria. Inflammation behind the ear occurs against a blockage in the sweat glands. In parallel with this, severe itching, redness appears, peeling begins and a crust behind the sink appears. Most likely, that no special treatment is needed, you just have to learn how to use moisturizers and control the sweating process.
However, the reasons can be much more serious and require immediate elimination and qualified medical care.
Eczema
This pathology can appear at any age and in any person, on any part of the body. Contact dermatitis is just a type of eczema that comes in contact with an allergen or certain irritant. Cracks behind the ear in this case can occur after using shampoos, paints or other cosmetics for skin and hair care. At first blisters or a rash may appear, and then cracks. This condition is characterized by a strong tooth and redness in the area of irritation.
Ointments for irritation are prescribed for such types of dermatitis, usually with an antihistamine effect and salicylic acid. Also, the doctor may recommend the use of shampoos and hair care products containing zinc pyrithione, selenium. In severe dermatitis, antibacterial agents for oral administration can be prescribed.
Idiopathic form
There is also such a thing as weeping eczema behind the ears and on other parts of the body. Although this is not a scientific name, this rash is actually called idiopathic eczema. A characteristic feature of the disease is blisters that burst over time, and serous fluid appears in these places.
This type of rash is not very treatable. In this case, the inflammatory process can end on its own, but with a mandatory exacerbation in the near future. In fact, such a pathology is a chronic disease, but not contagious. Enormous patience is required from the patient in the fight against the rash, all irritating factors will have to be excluded from life, the nutrition should be reviewed, and in no case should the rashes be combed to prevent a secondary inflammatory process.
Dermatitis
Problems with the auricles may occur amid the development of exudative dermatitis. Dermatitis itself can take two forms: chronic and acute. A rash with this pathology can appear on any part of the body. The clinical picture: ulcers, papules, pimples, plaques and more. Patients are tormented by severe itching, redness in revenge of the rash, peeling and exudative discharge.
When making a diagnosis, the doctor first determines the cause of the appearance of dermatitis. The patient will have to abandon all foods that can cause a rash, these usually include: citrus fruits, alcohol, especially sweet, chips, muffins and more. You’ll have to lean on products that have a huge amount of B vitamins in their composition, eat lean meat, dairy products, sardines and others.
For therapeutic purposes, the doctor will prescribe local drugs that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and will contribute to the regeneration of skin cells. To reduce the amount of toxins and allergens, enterosorbents, antihistamines are prescribed. If an allergic reaction is clearly identified, then glucocorticoids are prescribed. As an additional therapy, the patient is prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures: galvanization, ultraviolet irradiation, electrophoresis, radon baths and others.
Seborrheic dermatitis
Another inflammatory process on the skin, against the background of which crusts behind the auricles initially appear, on which scales (yellow or white) form over time. The provocateur of this type of rash is a fungal infection - malaysia.
Seborrheic dermatitis often appears in immunocompromised individuals with a diagnosis of HIV or Parkinson's disease. The disease can be assigned to group A, that is, fatty dermatitis, and group B - dry. It should be understood that it is completely impossible to cure this type of skin rash, only to constantly monitor the condition of the body in order to prevent relapse.
Scrofula
What is this disease? Many people really do not know what this disease is, because it is most often found in children. Although it may appear in an adult. This is an infectious disease that can be caused by non-tuberculosis and tuberculosis bacteria. Most often, this condition occurs against a background of malnutrition and metabolic disorders. Heredity in this case is not the last place, there are also adverse living conditions.
What kind of disease is scrofula? A rather complicated disease, and rashes can appear not only on the skin, but also on the mucous membranes, on the lymph nodes and joints, bones. The main thing is to see a doctor in time, especially if the provocateur of the disease is Koch's bacillus, but this can only be determined after a series of examinations, and only then adequate treatment can be prescribed.
Psoriasis
This is an inflammatory dermatological pathology that does not choose age and gender. Psoriasis often appears in the area of the knees, elbows and head. The exact cause of this problem is not known to date. It is characterized by a very thick and red rash, which is covered with scales and crusts. If the rash appears on the head, then it often goes to the area of the auricles. All therapeutic measures in this case are aimed at stopping the further development of a skin rash. Most often, cortis-containing ointments are used for treatment, herbal remedies can be prescribed and injection therapy is carried out.
Ear mycosis
Another reason that can lead to cracks behind the ear. This pathology is associated with the introduction of a fungal infection in the ear. Mycosis does not always appear against the backdrop of non-compliance with hygiene, it is possible that sulfur has accumulated in the ear canals, where it is impossible to reach the person himself. Sulfur and desquamated epithelium are an excellent medium for the development of fungal spores.
A crack behind the ear in an adult with a fungal infection may appear due to the use of other people's headphones or ear plugs, as well as other devices for the ears. The patient may be disturbed by headache, constant itching in the ear, noise. It may seem to a person that there is some foreign object in the ear canal, or a sulfur plug has appeared. In some cases, purulent discharge, clear or serous, may be observed from the ear.
Inflammation behind the ear is treated depending on the type of fungus that has affected the auricle. If we are talking about molds, then Nitrofungin, Itraconazole, Naphthyne, or Terbinafine is prescribed. If the cause is yeast, then mycosis is treated with the following drugs: Clotrimazole, Econazole, Fluconazole, or Pimafucin. In this case, the purity of the auricles comes first to the patient.
Hormonal imbalance
If the level of some hormones changes, then there may be problems with the skin, including the area behind the auricle. In particular, these are androgens, which are responsible for the production of fat on the skin. If the hormone level decreases, the skin dries up, cracks, crusts and scabs appear. At risk for women during gestation and at the time of menopause; people who use contraceptives, some other drugs. In such cases, hormone replacement therapy is most often resorted to.
Childhood
A crack behind the ear in a child is a fairly common problem, but requiring the direct involvement of a doctor. This is primarily due to the fact that in babies the dermis is still quite loose, the connective fibers are poorly developed, and the veins are intensively filled with blood. It is clear that these factors are still not enough for the development of inflammatory processes, damage occurs against the background of general changes in the body or under the influence of local causes. Most often, cracks appear on the background of diaper rash or a fungal infection. But the cause of the appearance can be dermatitis, diathesis or eczema.
Parents should monitor the diet and gradually introduce new foods into it. The temperature regime is very important, that is, in the room where the baby is sleeping, it should be warm, but not hot, the air should not be dry. It is also recommended that the laundry detergents be carefully selected so that they do not cause skin irritation.
Folliculitis
Another skin disease that can cause cracking of the skin. This is an infectious pathology of the hair follicles, as a result of which blisters, redness, irritation and cracks appear. Antifungal or antibacterial agents may be prescribed depending on the severity of the disease.
An irritation ointment called Retinoic Ointment is often used. Despite its high effectiveness, it often causes irritation. If, within 2-3 days from the start of use, severe reddening of the skin, peeling and new acne began, then you will have to refuse to use the drug.