My ear won't stop itching. How can I make it stop? DR KAYE reveals the terrifying cause... and how to cure yourself for good
For months now I’ve had terrible itchy ears at night. I’ve tried moisturising them but that doesn’t help. What could be the cause?
Dr Philippa Kaye answers: Itchy ears can often be caused by a hidden skin condition.
The inside of the ear is just as suspectible to aggrevating skin problems as the rest of the body. This might be eczema or psoriasis, two conditions that trigger dry, itchy patches.
However, since the inside of the ear is mainly hidden from sight, patients might not see the patches causing the uncomfortable sensation.
Both condition are typically treated using emollients, another word for medical grade moisturisers, as well as steroid creams that soften the skin. Patients are also advised to avoid harsh soaps or washing products that might inflame the skin.
A GP can diagnose both these skin issues.
An itchy ear can also be caused by too much or too little ear wax. The body produces the substance in order to stop the ear skin from drying up, as well as to trap dirt and bacteria.
However, when too much is created, this can form a build-up, which irritates the skin. Never use cotton buds or fingers to remove excess ear wax, as this can push the wax deeper into the ear, making it more difficult to remove or even damaging the ear drum.
In rare cases, Dr Philippa Kaye says, an itchy ear can be caused by a parasitic infection or the menopause
Instead, most pharmacies sell ear drops that can soften the wax, meaning it then falls out on its own.
Meanwhile, if too little is produced, then the skin can become dry and cracked. This can raise the risk of a condition called otitis externa, an itchy skin condition where there is inflammation in the outer ear canal, usually as a result of a bacterial or fungal infection.
It is more common in swimmers, hence it’s more well-known name, swimmer’s ear. A GP should be able to tell if patients are suffering with otitis externa, which is usually treated with antibiotic ear drops, to kill bacteria, or steroid drops to reduce swelling and itching.
Allergies can also be to blame for itchy ears. Many people don’t realise that their earrings, headphones, or hair products could be triggering an allergic reaction, leaving the ears red and itchy.
It is possible that hayfever or dust allergies can lead to itchy ears, without other symptoms showing up. Patients who suspect allergies might be to blame should consider taking a daily antihistamine tablet, like cetirizine hydrochloride or fexofenadine hydrochloride, to see if the itching improves.
It’s also possible that itchy ears may be due to poorly-fitting headphones or hearing aids.
It’s common for menopausal women to report itching in their ears. This is because the drop-off in the sex hormone oestrogen can lead to dry skin all over the body. This can be combatted by taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is typically administered via patches, gels, or tablets.
In rare cases, itchy ears may be due to a parasite infection, for example, ear mites caught from a pet. It’s not unheard of for patients to get maggots or even threadworms – tiny parasitic worms – infestations in their ears.
An insect can get trapped in there too.
Patients concerned about their itchy ears should see a GP, who will be able to use a device called an otoscope to look inside the ear and hopefully spot the cause.
GP, author and broadcaster Dr Philippa Kaye
I suffer from migraine aura.The attacks, which come at random, trigger a black and white diamond pattern that grows larger and larger until I can’t see anything else. Is there anything I can do to stop them?
Dr Philippa Kaye answers: It is important that anyone suffering from migraines tries to establish what triggers them.
Migraines are normally characterised as severe headaches. However, for around one in 20 patients, the problem can be painless and instead trigger visual changes. This is called migraine aura, or a silent migraine.
These changes can be anything from lights, sparkles, television static, or blind spots. Some patients also report tinnitus – ear-ringing – as well as numbness or tingling in the skin.
Just like the more common painful form of the headaches, migraine aura can be triggered by lifestyle factors.
Stress is one of the most common triggers, along with too much or too little sleep. Strong smells, bright lights, loud sounds, hunger, dehydration and even changes in the weather are all known to raise the chance of a migraine.
Fizzy drinks, alcohol and sugary snacks, like chocolate, can also trigger migraines.
The NHS offers a number of prescriptions medicines that can prevent or reduce the severity of migraines. These can also be used to treat migraine aura.
However, with migraines, the best treatment is prevention, which means avoiding triggers.
For this reason, patients are often advised to keep a migraine diary, marking when they occur, to work out what might be causing them.
Write to Dr Philippa Kaye at Health, Daily Mail, 9 Derry Street, London, W8 5HY or email: [email protected] - include contact details. Dr Kaye cannot enter into personal correspondence. Replies should be taken in a general context. Consult your own GP with any health worries.
