Ear eczema symptoms include dry, scaly, itchy skin on and around your ear. It can affect your outer ear or inside your ear canal. Treatment can depend on the type and cause of eczema.

Some causes of ear eczema, such as contact dermatitis due to wearing earrings, get resolved by removing the trigger. Other types, like atopic dermatitis may require medical treatments to manage symptoms.

Keep reading to learn more about the different types of ear eczema and how to treat them.

View the slideshow below for photos of ear eczema.

Symptoms of ear eczema can include:

With ear eczema, you may also experience clear discharge from your ear.

Ear eczema can affect the skin of your ear, the area behind your ear, and the fold between your earlobe and face. Sometimes, it can also affect your ear canal, which runs from your eardrum to your ear’s opening.

The cause of ear eczema depends on what type of eczema it is.

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a common condition that usually begins in infancy or childhood.

It can affect your ears and the skin behind it. Atopic dermatitis can develop between your face and earlobe.

Atopic dermatitis may also develop on your outer ear and down your ear canal.

The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is unclear, but it may happen due to a combination of factors such as:

  • your immune system
  • genetics
  • environmental factors

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis results from contact with an irritant or something you’re allergic to.

Common irritants that can cause ear eczema include:

  • earrings
  • hair products
  • hearing aids
  • headphones
  • other personal care products

Asteatotic eczema

Older people (ages 65 years and older) are more likely to have asteatotic eczema. This happens due to the exposure of the skin to changes in the weather.

Several factors can worsen it, including overwashing, indoor heating, and windy conditions.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis tends to affect oily areas of the body, including the scalp. It can also affect your ears, especially the skin behind them.

Doctors aren’t sure what causes it. But it could be related to a fungus in the oil secreted by the glands in your skin or an immune system response.

Your doctor can usually diagnose ear eczema by doing a basic exam of your ears. They may also use a light to look inside your ears to check for any irritation of your external ear canal.

Depending on your symptoms and medical history, they may also order a biopsy. This involves taking a small sample of skin cells from the affected area and looking at it under a microscope.

A biopsy of the skin tissue of your ear can help your doctor rule out similar conditions, such as psoriasis.

You may require allergy testing to determine the cause of allergic contact dermatitis.

Treating ear eczema depends on both the underlying cause and the area it affects.

If you have allergic or irritant contact dermatitis, you might need to stop using certain products or wearing earrings.

If you have seborrheic eczema, you may need to apply an antifungal ointment to the affected part of your ear. Your doctor might also prescribe a topical steroid to reduce inflammation, especially if the skin behind your ear is affected.

If you have symptoms in your external ear canal, your doctor can prescribe steroid ear drops.

It’s important to keep the area moisturized, regardless of the type of eczema you have. Avoid using harsh soaps and cleansers around your ears, which can dry your skin and worsen your symptoms.

Make sure you don’t use any long objects, like a cotton swab, to apply products to the inside of your ear.

Over time, dryness and irritation from scratching can cause cracks in your skin, increasing your risk of developing infected eczema.

If this happens, wax, hair, and skin can build up in your ear canal, leading to ear infections or hearing issues.

Contact your doctor if you notice:

  • an aching pain in your ear
  • yellow or green discharge from your ear
  • unusual redness or discoloration
  • flu-like symptoms

If you develop infected eczema, you’ll likely need a combination of antibiotics and topical steroids to clear up the infection and ease your symptoms.

Ear eczema can be due to atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, asteatotic eczema, or contact dermatitis. It causes dry, itchy skin on or around your ear or sometimes in your ear canal.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause but may include avoiding triggers such as earrings or hair products. Topical ointments can also help.

Contact your doctor if you have concerns about ear eczema. They can determine the cause of your symptoms and advise a suitable treatment plan.