I Can’t Live This Itchy Life

By emily

1 min read

I’m 33 now, but the eczema in my ear canal began 3 years ago when I was working in a nightclub. I assume it was the stress of working over night and the excessive drinking that kicked it all off. But since then, it’s never stopped.

Vicious ear eczema

In the beginning, I assumed it was just excess wax and would take drastic measures like taking the cap of a pen and scrape off the dry skin in my ear canal. It would bleed, and weep a weird brown liquid. (Gross, I know) The itching is nearly unbearable and this viscous cycle has continued.

Doctor after doctor

I have gone to doctor after doctor and they all say the same thing. That I didn’t have any wax in my ear and this was in my head. OR they give me vinegar drops bc I have a simple case of swimmers ear. This does provides some relief but honestly it’s not better. I’ve noticed that sugary foods or alcohol exacerbates the problem. When I wake up in the morning my ear canal feels almost wet. (Why!?)

Help!

It’s now been years and as I sit on my couch itching my ear and try to scrape off the skin- I know someone has to have a better solution!

I read a few testimonials about the olive oil which I’ll definitely try. But is there anything else?

Thanks in advance.
Emily

What is your most frustrating eczema symptom?

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justin Member
Hi Emily, A long time since you write this I know but just wanted to add something to share from my own experience. I would suggest a REALLY good dermatologist. I would guess at a secondary infection. infected eczema can be the worst! I suffered from a chronic infection of severe eczema on my hands resulted in not being able to work for 5 years. The key to beating it , if that's what it is, is to understand from medical testing what type of infection it is then treat appropriately. As an example, fungal infections of eczema are particularly difficult to treat due to......fungal treatments will make eczema worse and steroid based eczema treatments will make fungal infections worse....resulting in a nightmare that doesn't go away. Different infections will need to be handled differently with the eczema component factored in. Only a good dermatologist (ask around as can be hard to find) will be able to help break this cycle. Good luck to you and all. Obviously this may not be your case but sharing in case it helps anyone. Took me 5 years to learn this.
1. Sarah Wallin Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention user-id="2024790" username="justin"/> , thanks so much for sharing this insight with <inline-mention user-id="2021197" username="emily"/> . This is great advice to find a good dermatologist who understands different types of skin infections. I'm glad that after dealing with this for 5 years and not being able to work that you were able to figure this out. If you don't mind sharing - How are you doing now? Thanks for sharing with us. -Sarah (AtopicDermatitis.net Team Member)
2. justin Member
 Hi Sarah I was able to work ok for 8 years after that but had to change professions as well. Not able to do anything with hands anymore. More recently I had had some severe symptoms return in a way I haven't seen before. Been managing them as best I can but again a source of aggravation has come into play. In other words I had to do some things I knew would cause a flare up but was not expecting the severity of the flare up or how long it would last. Revisiting a REALLY good dermatologist has again been good for me. I have caught up with the more recent findings and understandings of the medical profession in terms of AD now classed as an immune system disorder. The benefit of this for me is more options and I'm currently on methotrexate treatment to give that a go. Too early to say too much more as this is very recent. Only 6 weeks of treatment so far and doesn't really start working for 8 weeks or so. Folate is taken as well and I'm also taking vitamin D. Currently I still have dry skin, some itchiness with some milder symptoms persisting but have removed myself completely from doing anything I know would aggravate it. ( this in itself is a challenge)The one change I have noticed is my skin is feeling softer than it ever has before which is why I mentioned the supplements I'm on as well as not sure which is responsible. There are other forms of immunotherapy and I hear more modern options too with research providing more on the way. Methotrexate for me in an interesting option essentially being a chemo drug from the 1950s used for transplant patients and oncology. Scary concept in some ways other than the side effects are well documented and the dosage at 10mg a week is very low. Commonly used for arthritis now. I do hear there are new options around with more on the way. Main point is don't give up. Seek proper medical help and then make your own decision haha. You know your skin better than any Dr. Recently I saw a program on AD with some surprising , for some maybe, stats on other associated health issues eczema sufferers can have. All I will chose to say here for now is don't give up. You're not the only one. And if you're really suffering maybe looking into some of the immunotherapy options might help give you a break. Oral Prednisolone can be a short term ( very short sadly) solution just to give you a break sometimes. Just can't say on it. Interested to hear experiences of others that may have tried immunotherpy. Good luck to all Justin
Linette Roungchun Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention user-id="2021197" username="emily"/> have you found relief hun? I’m curious if maybe i’s connected to Candida? No idea but just taking a guess. Also, your ears being more wet upon waking- sounds about right as our bodies excrete through the night. Not sure what could possibly help with that since it’s a normal bodily function... Wow I really hate that you are experiencing this and am super curious if you have found a solution or any relief of sorts! Please let us know. -Linette(AtopicDermatitis.net Moderator)
etheld Member
For ear eczema have used about everything there are over two years is to relieve very itchy eczema on my outer ears. Steroids can work but are not advised for long term use and give me side effects anyway. but Foderma Serum worked on the first day! This is great, sometimes you just have to keep looking
1. Sarah Wallin Community Admin
 <inline-mention user-id="2031842" username="etheld"/> , I'm glad to hear you finally found Foderma Serum which gives you relief. It is such a frustrating process trying new products, especially when you're itchy and uncomfortable. Thank you for sharing about it here! -Sarah (AtopicDermatitis.net Team Member)
carolann Member
Emily, Oh my goodness! I don't believe what you wrote! YES! I have had the same problem & NO one can seem to DX it! But I have....YEAST. I am allergic to yeast....I love Sweets....I have been on Prednisone and Antibiotics a hundred times....I get water in my ears when I shower...all can grow yeast. Dark moist places like the ear canal are the perfect breeding ground. I know it's NOT an infection because I have no earache at all and many cultures for bacteria have been negative. Yet, my ears flake inside & have an awful odor....yeast has an odor. Sometimes they also have a discharge, especially first thing after waking up in the morning. For the past week I went online and found an antifungal ear drop that I pray helps. I literally went store to store TODAY to try and find it, but no luck. CVS is where I found it online and I just ordered it. I know you can also have a doctor write a prescription for them. The docs just shake their head.....however, I remembered that in 2000, I had a lady do the ear candle wicking on me and she showed all the white stuff that came out.....& said it was yeast. After she did that, it went away for awhile. Then when I took Diflucan for yeast, it cleared up.....so 1+1 makes 2. I'm not going to say YOURS is definitely yeast, but you might ask your doctor & see what he thinks. Wouldn't hurt. I hope we both find relief SOON. Take care! Carol
1. emily Member
 Carol! Thank you for the reply. I’m literally fresh out of the shower where I tried AGAIN to keep my ear canal clean and apply the vinegar drops. But I think you’re onto something!! I’m going to try this ASAP!!! I recently found out I’m allergic to gluten and stopping the bread/sweets have heaped a bit. So I think you might be right. Carol, you might be a life saver!!!! I’m going to report back, and please you do the same. Thank you for reaching out, you have no idea the hope this gives me.
2. Linette Roungchun Moderator & Contributor
 oh my goodness I hope this is your answer!! Go Carol for sharing your knowledge! -Linette(AtopicDermatitis.net Moderator)