Auricular eczema is an

eczema Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash. In cases of short duration, there may be small blisters, while in long-term cases the skin may become thickened. The area of skin involved can ...

of the

ear An ear is the organ that enables hearing and, in mammals, body balance using the vestibular system. In mammals, the ear is usually described as having three parts—the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. The outer ear consists of ...

that may involve the

helix A helix () is a shape like a corkscrew or spiral staircase. It is a type of smooth space curve with tangent lines at a constant angle to a fixed axis. Helices are important in biology, as the DNA molecule is formed as two intertwined helic ...

, postauricular fold, and external auditory canal, with the most frequently affected site being the external canal, where it is often a manifestation of

seborrheic dermatitis Seborrhoeic dermatitis, sometimes inaccurately referred to as seborrhoea, is a long-term skin disorder. Symptoms include red, scaly, greasy, itchy, and inflamed skin. Areas of the skin rich in oil-producing glands are often affected including the ...

allergic contact dermatitis Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a form of contact dermatitis that is the manifestation of an allergic response caused by contact with a substance; the other type being irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). Although less common than ICD, ACD is ...

. This is an neuroallergic inflammation of skin with evident itch.

Signs and symptoms

Small blisters appear on the skin of the external auditory canal and auricle. Then they burst and at the site multiple small erosions with abundant oozing

lesion A lesion is any damage or abnormal change in the tissue of an organism, usually caused by disease or trauma. ''Lesion'' is derived from the Latin "injury". Lesions may occur in plants as well as animals. Types There is no designated classif ...

s appear. Dry cracking skin on the outer ear may also appear causing itchiness. There is no known cause for Ear eczema.

Management

The management of ear eczema will depend on the type of eczema diagnosed upon presentation. Generally, ear toileting and care are advised to help relieve symptoms. Washing the ears with an emollient and drying them is one way to achieve this. Patients are advised against putting anything in the ears or scratching them. Ear candles are not recommended as there is no research proof to support their efficacy. Medical management will include topical steroids, antifungals, antibiotics, and calcineurin inhibitors such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus. Tacrolimus has been shown to be an effective and well-tolerated option in treating chronic dermatitis of the ear. Other management strategies include limiting water exposure and using earplugs while swimming. Using objects such as matchsticks to scratch the outer ear canal should also be avoided.

References

{{Dermatitis and eczema Ear Eczema

Signs and symptoms

Management

See also

References