Dry, itching ear canals anyone?

[Nancy1950]

In the past few months, the dryness in my ear canals has caused them to itch almost constantly. I've been putting skin lotion in them with a Q-tip (which I'm sure is not recommended) but I don't know what else to do! If anybody else has dealt with this, I'd appreciate knowing what you use to deal with it. The dry eyes, nose, and mouth were bad enough, and now this too is making me nuts!

Thank you in advance for any suggestions!

[irish]

I suffered with that issue more when I was younger. Still bother but not as bad. I have used a little olive oil on a q tip several times. Don't get too oily. Just a bit. I don't think the hand lotion works as well as there is too many additives in it.

When the itching gets really terrible I will take a q tip with just a bit of over the counter 1% cortisone cream. This really helps the itching but can't use this too often or use too heavy a layer as cortisone can cause irritation to the skin.

The best thing to do is to ask your doctor for an ear drop. They make ear drops with steroids and antibiotic in them to calm the itch and prevent any infections in the ear canal. This is really the best way to go. Hope this helps. Irish

[Liz D.]

I often use Debrox, the over the counter ear drops to help get rid of wax.  It must be safe since it is for the ears.  I find it soothes the itching for awhile. 

Liz D.

[Skylar]

I suffered with that issue more when I was younger. Still bother but not as bad. I have used a little olive oil on a q tip several times. Don't get too oily. Just a bit. I don't think the hand lotion works as well as there is too many additives in it.

When the itching gets really terrible I will take a q tip with just a bit of over the counter 1% cortisone cream. This really helps the itching but can't use this too often or use too heavy a layer as cortisone can cause irritation to the skin.

The best thing to do is to ask your doctor for an ear drop. They make ear drops with steroids and antibiotic in them to calm the itch and prevent any infections in the ear canal. This is really the best way to go. Hope this helps. Irish

My answer is similar to Irish's response.

I like to use a light oil such as Jojoba instead of the heavier olive oil. Both oils are a better choice than hand cream.

Taking care of my allergies helped as allergies added another. layer of itchiness

I discovered it was better not to scratch (I tried to scratch with the q-tip which doesn't work well and doesn't leave you feeling satisfied either). I ended up scratching the skin until it was bleeding which added a new problem I didn't need.

I also had drops prescribed that were very effective but only for short term use - this was years ago and I don't remember what they were.

[araminta]

Coconut oil might be helpful.

[Nancy1950]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I guess I'll ditch the hand lotion (lol!) and go with natural oils.

[Carolina]

Dear Nancy,

This affects me as well.  I use cortisone cream, applied with a cotton swab, and sometimes baby oil.

This seems to calm things down for a while, and then I need to apply the cream and oil again.

It's always something, and then it's something else!

Regards, Elaine

[Nancy1950]

Ah, Elaine, you are so right! It's always something...or something else. This disease feels like a type of Whack-a-mole - just when something feels almost under control, some other weird symptom surfaces.