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Original poster

To feel there’s nowhere left to turn due to ear trouble.

39 replies

Frustratedandannoyed81 · 03/04/2023 19:23

I’ve had horrendous itchiness in both ears for over a year now. I went to see GP who referred me to an ENT consultant. It took a year for this appointment. I kept going back to GP as ears were getting itchier and feeling more blocked but he just had a look, saw there was no wax and said, ‘well, I’ve already referred you, I can’t do any more as there is no wax to remove’.
I went to see ENT doctor and explained that it’s now got to the stage where it’s affecting my life.
I feel like killing myself for the pain and irritation to stop. I struggle to get to sleep. Told ENT consultant ALL that of this.
He looked in my ears, sent me for a hearing test which was fine, said he couldn’t see anything and that he’d discharge me. I got upset and said I’ve waited a year to see you, the irritation is horrendous and I feel like jumping off a bridge some days as I’m constantly wanting to scratch inside my ears. He asked me if I’d had counselling as that was a dramatic response!
I told him all that’s wrong is my ears and that being in my 40s, I’d never felt anything like this for how it is affecting my life. He said, ‘well, I can’t see anything so I am discharging you’.
I wrote to PALS and they’ve replied today to say that the consultant in his professional opinion has said there is nothing wrong with my ears.
If I go back to GP again, he will just see I’ve been discharged and nothing will happen.

Does anyone know what’s wrong with my bloody ears?!

OP posts:
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Cookiecrumblepie · 29/07/2024 17:20

OP can you get benovate liquid (steroid liquid) and put it on a q-tip and in your ears? I had similar to you and this is the only thing that worked. Then once you’ve broken the itch cycle, you reduce how often you use it.

You can get it from an online pharmacy and say it’s for eczema (of the ear).

zebette · 29/07/2024 16:55

Mine were so awful that OTC steroid cream didn't work - prescription strength steroid got it under control and now OTC steroid every few days keeps it under control. And vaseline in ears before washing hair. And the liquid off the top of Greek yoghurt rubbed in your ears is very soothing!

user1471433754 · 29/07/2024 16:25

Do you drink any fizzy drinks? I had this for ages. Blocked, itchy ears. Got nowhere with ENT, so decided to try to find out myself what was going on. Searched the internet for ages trying to find out what was wrong until I did see reports saying that sweeteners, such as aspartame can cause ear issues. I was having a can of cola a day at that point. I stopped immediately, stopped taking anything low fat(as a lot of these have sweeteners in them) and within days my itchy blocked ears started to feel better. Then totally cleared up. Look at your diet to see if that's the cause, good luck, it did drive me mad at the time.

iamtheblcksheep · 29/07/2024 15:52

Id put money on you having Ménière’s disease. Do you have anything else going on

gingergiraffe · 29/07/2024 15:48

To clarify, if my ears are itchy for a few days without treating, I find they get very sore as I scratch in the night.

gingergiraffe · 29/07/2024 15:46

Just had a sniff. Yes. Never noticed that before. It actually says to use within one month but I keep it and use it whenever I need it.

BG2015 · 29/07/2024 15:42

gingergiraffe · 29/07/2024 13:37

Have none of you ever used Otomise ear drops? I have had itchy years on and off for about 5 years and get it on prescription from GP. You can now order online for around £15 after filling in a form. Occasionally my GP has called me in for a consultation but otherwise they are happy to just prescribe. It works very quickly but if I leave it for a few days my ears get very sore.

Are these the ones that smell like vinegar? It's like a spay with a white nozzle? I had these prescribed about 2 months ago but ran out of them.

gingergiraffe · 29/07/2024 13:37

Have none of you ever used Otomise ear drops? I have had itchy years on and off for about 5 years and get it on prescription from GP. You can now order online for around £15 after filling in a form. Occasionally my GP has called me in for a consultation but otherwise they are happy to just prescribe. It works very quickly but if I leave it for a few days my ears get very sore.

MagpiePi · 29/07/2024 10:43

I'm glad you've got some relief.

I still have a tendency to get itchy, infected ears and the best thing is to allow the natural wax barrier to build up and then NEVER poke anything into your ears. It does take time and is intensely irritating when they are itchy, and the wax production can go a bit mad to start with, but it is worth it in the long run.

BG2015 · 29/07/2024 09:18

MagpiePi · 28/07/2024 17:39

Sorry this has happened on holiday.

The active ingredient in the spray is Acetic acid which is antibacterial and why it smells vinegary. Could you ask a local pharmasist for something similar?

I would carry on with the sudocrem and keep your ears dry, so no swimming in the pool or sea (which is probably how they've got infected) and in the shower.

Ended up going to see a doctor

Ear infection I'm both ears. I've got antibiotics and drops.

Glad I went now as I've been in considerable pain

itsmylife7 · 28/07/2024 17:52

I had the same issue.

GP immediately took a swab that showed no infection but they gave me steroid ear drops.

I use them daily and its cleared up.

If I allow water near my ears the itching immediately starts again.

Your GP is being an arsehole.

MagpiePi · 28/07/2024 17:39

Sorry this has happened on holiday.

The active ingredient in the spray is Acetic acid which is antibacterial and why it smells vinegary. Could you ask a local pharmasist for something similar?

I would carry on with the sudocrem and keep your ears dry, so no swimming in the pool or sea (which is probably how they've got infected) and in the shower.

BG2015 · 28/07/2024 16:23

I know this is a zombie thread but I'm suffering from this and it's driving me mad.

I was prescribed some spray about 2 months ago which worked to a point. It smelt like vinegar, can't remember what it's called, but it seemed to work.

I'm now on holiday in Turkey and it's flared up worse than ever, I'm in agony, the pain and itchiness is awful. I've also got an area of very dry, crusty flaky skin at the back of my head and wonder if the 2 are connected.

Unfortunately I can't take HRT because of having breast cancer 3 years ago.

Can't wait to see my GP once I'm home to get some medication. Currently just putting sudocrem in my ears and taking painkillers.

MagpiePi · 03/04/2023 20:28

I used to have really itchy ears with occasional infections and discharge - otitis externa like a PP . I found Ear Calm good, but it does sting if the skin is broken or raw from scratching.
What sorted it for me was Sudocreme applied with a finger, not a cotton bud, and being really vigilant about not putting ANYTHING in my ears and keeping them dry as much as possible. Which is easier when they weren’t itching.

PoorlyDS · 03/04/2023 20:28

RestingMurderousFace · 03/04/2023 19:39

I had dry, itchy ears. All vanished when I started HRT last year at the age of 48.

This - don't rule out HRT

L3ThirtySeven · 03/04/2023 20:20

You can contact PALS and ask for a second opinion- as in see a different GP and consultant. It is your right to do so. I’d mention that no swabs or tests were done at all.

Original poster
Frustratedandannoyed81 · 03/04/2023 20:19

Stepuptowardsinfinity · 03/04/2023 20:15

OP has your GP swabbed your ears? This is a must do. For some reason they don't do it as a first port of call. It was only when a trainee GP sent my swab off to be tested that the fungal issue was revealed. For ages I was fobbed off.

No, GP won’t do anything else for me as the ENT said I was fine.

OP posts:
Original poster
Frustratedandannoyed81 · 03/04/2023 20:15

userxx · 03/04/2023 19:35

I'd still want to see a dermatologist to rule it out.

Unfortunately, the GP will not refer me to one and as my DH has recently been made redundant, I cannot afford the £200 to see one privately.

OP posts:
Stepuptowardsinfinity · 03/04/2023 20:15

OP has your GP swabbed your ears? This is a must do. For some reason they don't do it as a first port of call. It was only when a trainee GP sent my swab off to be tested that the fungal issue was revealed. For ages I was fobbed off.

thethoughtofgettingout · 03/04/2023 20:13

Things that work for me:

Steroid lotion - the stuff from GP that is designed for scalp eczema. It's watery and you need a drop in each ear. It's gives the most amazing sting and then kills the itchiness dead & works amazingly well. Don't be fobbed off with steroid creams or hydrocortisone cream. It needs to be betnovate but the liquid lotion.

No dairy - if I have dairy I get crazy itchy ears that sends me mad.

Hope this helps & good luck. Itchy ears get so sore & the combination of itch & pain is so awful :(

Stepuptowardsinfinity · 03/04/2023 20:12

I had this. Horrendous itching. It was a fungal infection which doctors didn't recognise for bloody years. You can buy caneston ear drops over the counter. Use those.

Original poster
Frustratedandannoyed81 · 03/04/2023 20:09

GoodChat · 03/04/2023 19:36

Stupid question, have you used moisturising ear drops?

I had a similar problem to you and GP told me my ear canals are really dry. The ear drops worked wonders until I had to stop using them when I fell pregnant.

Yes, I’ve used moisturising drops but they didn’t help. Just my ears feel more blocked unfortunately.

OP posts:
TowerStork · 03/04/2023 20:01

Similar @NNC4785 my problem was eczema in my inner ear. After years of irritation a specialist ETN recommended cortorpin steroid cream. It's OTC. I also use hydrogen peroxide to clean my ears weekly and after a few years now I rarely need the steroid cream

Newone2021 · 03/04/2023 19:56

KitchenMandarin · 03/04/2023 19:38

I suffer with otisis externa & have done for many years. The itchiness can at times drive me mad. It also then tips over into extremely painful bacterial & fungal infections that have had me sobbing, and in A&E because my GP essentially said 'I've done all I can'.

I now wear ear plugs for bathing/showering/swimming & use an olive oil spray to help keep the eczema inside my ears moisturised. It's a regimen I'm only just starting so it's too early to say it's helping.

Obviously from your OP they may have ruled this out but the symptoms sound similar.

I'd second all this. Honestly, itchy, painful ears are no joke, I feel your pain, OP.

I've had similarly itchy ears, coupled with dry, flaky skin and discharge (sorry, gross) for a few years. Getting passed from pillar to post is no fun either.

I'd also recommend a steroid cream, just a small amount and don't push too far into your ear.

You have my sympathies and you're not alone!

hennybeans · 03/04/2023 19:53

I am also going to suggest perimenopause. Everything can dry out. I’ve read in MN before, women having terribly itchy ears with peri. I’d be seeing my gp for some kind of HRT.

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