Itching in ears can be called a problem of "character". While not causing pain, this condition, nevertheless, can cause serious discomfort and even provoke neurosis. A constant irritating sensation deprives the peace of mind, and left unattended, can lead to completely different levels of problems that require long-term treatment.
There are many reasons for itching in the ears. And so there are many methods of treating the underlying disease that provoked this symptom. Main — understand that you are experiencing temporary discomfort, but a medical problem, and contact a doctor.
Causes of Itchy Ears: What Causes This Symptom
The most common cause of itching in the ears is the accumulation of wax in the external auditory canal. This mass, in contact with small hairs on the skin, causes irritation and itching. This symptom usually intensifies after shampooing: water, softening and loosening the sulfur, increases its volume and, accordingly, increases the area of its contact with the skin.
The other most likely causes of itchy ears are infectious and inflammatory diseases.
Otomycosis
Fungal diseases of the skin often develop against the background of general health problems, in particular, with diabetes mellitus. The disease is most often caused by the uncontrolled growth of colonies of fungi of the genus Candida, which are natural representatives of the microflora of the mucous membranes and skin. Under normal conditions, their activity is inhibited by beneficial bacteria. But with metabolic disorders, reduced immunity and other problems, the chemical composition of sweat and sebaceous glands may change, which creates favorable conditions for the growth of pathogens.
In addition to itching, otomycosis also causes discharge from the affected ear, and dry or weeping crusts form on the surface of the auricle.
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Otitis externa
Inflammation of the outer ear can be caused by infection, mechanical trauma (for example, improper cleaning of the ears or skin irritation from headphones or hearing aids), or be a complication of inflammation of the Eustachian tube and ingress of water or foreign bodies into the ear. The disease begins with itching, which gradually intensifies and is replaced by pain. There may be an increase in body temperature up to 37.5-38.0°C.
Already after 10-12 hours after the onset of itching, discharge —— watery and transparent, which by the end of the second day are replaced by thick and colored, indicating the presence of infection. In some cases, infection and
An allergic reaction can develop in response to the use of any cosmetic product, to insect bites, to wearing jewelry, and other circumstances. Usually itching is accompanied by a rash and / or severe redness and swelling of the skin of the auricle and external auditory canal. Often this condition is accompanied by other signs of allergy — itching in nose and sneezing, lacrimation and increased sensitivity to light, rash on skin or other manifestations, depending on the way the allergen enters the body and specifics of the immune system.
Read also: Ear stuffing: causes of an unpleasant symptom
Dermatological diseasesOn the skin of the external auditory canal and auricle, almost any dermatological disease can develop. Among the most frequent, accompanied by itching — dry, seborrheic and eczematous dermatitis, psoriasis. Depending on the causes of itching, it may be accompanied by the formation of weeping areas, the appearance of crusts and plaques, severe peeling.
In all cases, treatment is prescribed only after the diagnosis and determination of the causes of itching in the ears. Depending on the diagnosis, therapy may include the use of topical or systemic drugs from the following drug groups:
- Antibiotics
- Antihistamines
- Antifungals
- Glucocorticosteroids
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Painkillers
- Antipyretics
- Keratolytic & other
Read also: Ear diseases: symptoms that call to the doctor
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