My Stubborn Case of Ear Eczema

By bakerdrummer30

2 min read

My history: I have had problems with my ears since my late teen years which is over 30 years ago. I was on the swim team during my teen years and had swimmer's ear many times. I finally learned to use alcohol/white vinegar treatment to dry them and prevent infections.

Intense itching in my ears

In the next 5 years after, I developed eczema in my ears. The first symptom was intense itching. I hate to admit it but I would itch them and try to pull out what I thought was just excess wax but later realized it was also dead skin from eczema.

I learned that doing this caused weeping and would clog my ears even more. I would get to the point where my hearing was completely blocked and it would turn into an infection.

Visiting my doctor

I went to my family physician each time this happened. He would irrigate my ears to try to clean them out. This helped but the itching continued. After about 6 months they would be clogged up again. This cycle continues for several (5-7) years.

One of the last times at the family physician, one of my ears were stopped up and swollen so bad that he took the back end of a wooden cotton stick and tried to open it to put the wick in. The was the most excruciating pain I have ever had.

An ENT diagnosed me with ear eczema

I finally went to an ENT doc. He diagnosed me with eczema in my ears. He used an ear vacuum to clean out my ears as well as Ciprodex for the infection. He told me to never go to the family physician since he didn’t have the proper equipment. He also prescribed Clobetasol for the eczema. The clobetasol seems to work okay but the itching still continued.

What have I learned?

I have learned over the years to try my best to just deal with the itching the best I can. My ears continue to have intense itching and build up and now it seems to go straight for my eardrum making my hearing muffled and eventually completely blocked.

I can’t afford to go to the ENT 3x a year because of the way my insurance is set up. ($50 co-pay + procedure cost). I have learned that I can go to the family physician to have them irrigated to save on cost IF there is no infection. I just use an antibiotic ear drop for a couple of days to prevent infection.

I know eczema is not curable but I want to find something that minimizes the itching and build-up - What can I use for eczema in my ears?

What is your experience with eczema?

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auntiekim Member
I have tried various things for eczema in my ears over the years. DermOtic Oil is available by prescription and works the very best and provides the longest relief.
1. Sarah Wallin Community Admin
 Thanks for sharing what has helped your ear eczema, <inline-mention user-id="2025447" username="auntiekim"/> ! It's so helpful hearing suggestions...glad you have found something that gives you relief after trying things for many years. -Sarah (AtopicDermatitis.net Team Member)
emily Member
As I’m reading your story, I’m just screaming to myself, “SAAAAME!” It’s amazing how such a tiny place can bring so much suffering. I’ve been dealing with ear canal eczema for 3 years and I’ve found zero relief. I have found that alcohol and sugar makes it worse. Vinegar helps a bit. When I wash my hair I use head and shoulders (bc I have seborric dermatitis on my scalp too) and I put a little of the shampoo in my ear and that helps. Good luck friend.
1. Sarah Wallin Community Admin
 It's good to know you can relate, <inline-mention user-id="2021197" username="emily"/> ! You definitely are not the only one dealing with stubborn ear eczema! You might find interest in this forum where members of the community have shared about how they treat their ears (<a href='https://atopicdermatitis.net/topic/ear-eczema' target='_blank'>https://atopicdermatitis.net/topic/ear-eczema/</a>). It would be great if you added a comment about vinegar! We hope that this community can be a place of mutual support. It can be a struggle for sure! -Sarah (AtopicDermatitis.net Team Member)
jvcxtwo Member
I too have ear eczema which plagues me constantly- both in ear canal and outside ear. I try cortisone cream as per dermatologist but it never clears up. The cycle can be quite angry at times. I try peroxide, aquaphor, vinegar, noxema, etc whether crusty, weeping, swollen. My ear has become infected and ENT prescribed ear drops. I have even developed vertigo a couple of times during a bad flare but dr thinks not connected- I do. I have considered elimination diet to see if allergies are cause. Otherwise I just try the cortisone cream longer than recommended then weather the withdrawal. I have had eczema off and on on body, hands but these past years have settled in ears with occasional in elbows or sporadic places on my body. Glad to have a site where I can read of other treatments. Thanks.
1. Jeff Ten Broeck Moderator
 Thank you for sharing your experience with eczema, <inline-mention user-id="2024805" username="jvcxtwo"/> . As a fellow eczema patient, I can relate to the frustration you must be experiencing with the whole trial and error process. I hope you're able to find some relief soon! Take care, Jeff (AtopicDermatitis.net Team Member)