Most people have experienced itching in their ears at least once in their lives. As a rule, such a symptom indicates insufficient hygiene of the organ of hearing or that water got into it during water procedures. But if the feeling of discomfort is permanent, other disturbing signs were added to it, there are reasons to suspect an infectious pathology. The most likely causes of itching in the ears are described below. How to treat this condition (including when peeling is detected), the doctor should tell, based on the patient's complaints and diagnostic results.
Improper care
In many cases, a person himself provokes the occurrence of unpleasant sensations. The main cause of itching and flaking in the ears is non-compliance or improper compliance with hygiene rules. When a person uses cotton buds, matches, knitting needles and other improvised means, the epidermis is injured, as a result of which the nerve endings are irritated. A logical result is the intensive production of sulfur - a secret designed to moisturize and protect the hearing organ. Normally, the process of self-cleaning of the latter occurs. It is always accompanied by an unexpressed itch, more like tickling.
When a person discovers a large amount of sulfur, he seeks more often and diligently to clean the ear canal. As a rule, the opposite effect occurs: the secret begins to be produced with a vengeance. Against the background of excessive hygiene, peeling and itching in the ear occurs. Such a condition is dangerous because regular interference with sticks, matches, etc. injures the skin. Microdamage can cause infection.
Seborrheic dermatitis
Against the background of the course of this pathological process, itching always occurs in the ear. Peeling is also a symptom of this disease.
The term "seborrheic dermatitis" refers to a condition in which an inflammatory process develops in the surface layers of the skin. The main cause of the disease is the active life of the conditionally pathogenic microorganism Malassezia. Normally, it is also present in healthy people, but in a small amount, and does not manifest itself in any way. Under the influence of provoking factors, the process of active reproduction of the pathogen is launched.
The main reasons for the development of seborrheic dermatitis:
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Long-term antibiotic treatment.
- Climate change.
- Staying long under stress.
- Significant weakening of the body's defenses.
In addition to itching and flaking in the ear, a person can detect an increase in the fat content of the skin in this area. This is due to the fact that against the background of seborrheic dermatitis, the functioning of the sebaceous glands is disrupted.
Otomycosis
This term refers to a lesion of the skin of the ear canal with a fungus. At the initial stage, the disease is almost asymptomatic. As a rule, a person only itches inside the ear. Over time, the severity of itching increases, the skin becomes dry and begins to peel. In addition, a plaque of black, yellow, green or brown appears on it. If untreated, dark and thick pathological contents begin to stand out from the ear.
The main causes of otomycosis:
- Weakening of the body's defenses.
- Excessive ear canal hygiene.
- Antibiotic treatment.
- Changing the pH of the skin to the alkaline side.
In most cases, otomycosis is the result of a thorough cleansing of the ear canal. Excessive enthusiasm for hygiene measures makes the epithelium defenseless before various infections.
Allergic dermatitis
The development of an undesirable reaction after skin contact with any provoking agent is not uncommon. Most often, itching and peeling in the ear are provoked by piercing. Currently, people pierce not only the earlobes, but also other external parts of the hearing organ. If unpleasant symptoms occur, it is recommended to replace the jewelry with a product made of precious metals. This is due to the fact that the former, as a rule, contain nickel. This metal is a leader among the provoking agents that cause contact allergic dermatitis.
An adverse reaction can also be caused by the presence of dust mites in the living room. Favorable environment for the life of these microorganisms - mattresses and pillows. When a person is sleeping, mold spores penetrate the organ. As a result, a person's ears are flaky inside, the itch of varying severity is worried.
Hypothermia
A cold can occur due to the absence of a headgear both in a light wind and in the cold. In such situations, a pimple is formed on the ear or inside it, and the skin begins to peel off.
Often the cause of discomfort is drafts in the summer. Steamed skin cools very quickly, which leads to peeling and the formation of a focus of pathology.
Drug treatment
If you have any warning signs, you should contact a dermatologist. A specialist using laboratory tests will establish the exact causes of itching in the ears. He will also inform how to treat and subsequently cleanse the organ of hearing. Based on the diagnostic measures performed, the doctor may additionally refer you to an otorhinolaryngologist for a consultation.
The treatment of itching and flaking in the ears depends on the cause of the development of this condition. For example, with seborrheic dermatitis, the doctor prescribes topical preparations based on miconazole and ketoconazole. These active components interfere with the life of the fungus. In addition, it is also recommended to clean the head with shampoos designed to combat seborrheic dermatitis.
Treatment of otomycosis involves the use of ear drops of an antimycotic effect. If there is no improvement against the background of their use, antifungal drugs are prescribed.
In case of allergic dermatitis, it is recommended to replace jewelry with jewelry. If at the same time the ears inside itch and flaky, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment with antihistamines.
If the cause of the discomfort is a cold, no specific treatment is required. It is enough to monitor the general condition of the body and pay special attention to observing the rules of hygiene. Acne on the ear squeezing is prohibited. This is fraught with the addition of infection and the development of complications.
Folk methods
It is important to understand that self-diagnosis and treatment are prohibited. Only a doctor can determine the cause and draw up a treatment regimen based on the results of laboratory diagnostics. However, it is quite possible to weaken the severity of itching and peeling at home. It is only necessary to remember that folk methods do not exclude the need to contact a medical institution.
The most effective is the following method. It is necessary to take a gauze or cotton swab (sterile) and vegetable oil. You also need to prepare a decoction of chamomile. To do this, take 50 g of a dry plant, fill it with 1 liter of water and put the container on fire. Next, you need to boil for 10 minutes. After the specified time, the product should be cooled and mixed with vegetable oil in a ratio of 1: 1.
Now about how to brush your ears at home. It is necessary to take a swab and moisten it in the resulting product. Then it needs to be inserted into the ear. After 15 minutes, the swab should be carefully removed. On it you can see particles of dead skin.
How to clean your ears
If you properly carry out hygiene measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of various pathological conditions. First of all, it is necessary to stop the cleansing of the ear canal with solid objects. Their use is the main cause of microtraumas through which infection can occur. Regarding whether it is possible to clean your ears with cotton buds. Contrary to popular belief, these products also violate the integrity of the skin. Using them is not recommended.
How to clean your ears at home correctly (basic principles):
- Auricle must be washed daily. In this case, the auditory meatus does not need such frequent hygiene. It needs to be cleaned once a week. It is important to know that penetrating into the deep sections of the ear canal is prohibited.
- Prevent water from entering deep sections of the ear canal.
- To remove excess sulfur, it is necessary to take a sterile swab, twist it into a tourniquet, then moisten in vegetable oil. After that, it must be carefully inserted into the ear canal, but not superficially. Then with twisting movements you need to remove the swab.
Compliance with these rules significantly reduces the risk of itching, peeling and other unpleasant symptoms.
General recommendations
It is important to remember that hygiene should be regular, but not excessive. If you clean your ears too often and intensively, you can provoke not only excessive production of sulfur, but also the development of various pathologies that are not always quickly and easily cured.
In addition, it is important that antiseptic agents regularly be used on earphones, earplugs, earhooks, and other items that come in contact with your hearing.
Forecast
If the cause of itching and peeling is improper compliance with hygiene rules, you must immediately make adjustments. If this does not lead to a positive result, you need to see a doctor. The outcome of the disease he identified directly depends on the timeliness of contacting a medical institution. Ignoring the problem can lead to the development of all kinds of complications.
Finally
Itching and flaking in the ears are signs that do not always indicate the presence of pathology. First of all, it is necessary to make adjustments to the conduct of hygiene measures. Many people are interested in a specialist, whether it is possible to clean your ears with cotton buds. These medical devices injure the ear canal, and therefore their use is unacceptable.
If the discomfort does not disappear or new ones join them, you must consult a doctor. He will conduct diagnostic measures and, based on their results, will draw up an effective treatment regimen. With timely contact with a specialist, the prognosis is favorable.