Gross ear infection?! (TMI!!)

[ProseccoSupernova]

I keep getting a recurring issue just inside my ear. It goes really itchy and feels wet (rank I know) and my ear feels like it has water in it. Then a day or so later the skin goes really dry and I can pick it off. (not envy!) Then it goes back to normal until a few days/week later. I want to treat it but not sure if I can get anything over counter or if I need a prescription! Any ideas what it could be?!

Sounds like an outer ear infection which often occur due to swimming or putting ear buds in your ear. Does it get painful? I've had it a number of times have tried over counter stuff which is supposed to dry it out but have never worked. only thing that has cleared it up is ear drops with a steroid and antibiotic on prescription.

Is it dry skin you're picking off or dried on puss?? Definitely go to the doctor

Bleurrrgh!! But I think it’s skin!

I get this all the time. You need a steroid spray which is only available on prescription. And stop putting your finger in your ear as it will make it worse!

thanks all, will book an appointment to try and get some of that spray!

Maybe it’s a fungal ear infection? They are nasty and can last months!

I get this!!! Always wondered what it is, if you go to the doctors please report back. Mine isn't sore, just feels a bit 🤢

Oh I get this too 🙈 I've had a couple of ear operations and now have very dry ears which itch, then the rubbing breaks the skin and gets infected - then I use ear buds (and I defy anyone not to when they are wet like that!) and it just exacerbates it 🤮 I get otomize ear spray which generally sorts it in the short term, though I probably need to go back to my consultant. Good luck OP!

Definitely see your gp rather than try to figure it out for yourself. There could well be an infection or something more serious. I felt a bit silly going to my GP with nothing more than a wet ear but for me it turned out to be a serious condition. Hopefully it won't for you but you won't know until you get it checked out. A GP will be able to take a look and should be able to see what's going on and might prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotic drops tend to be more effective than oral antibiotics on ears. If it doesn't improve then make sure to get referred to an ent specialist. Ears need to be taken seriously. You won't get a proper diagnosis here and definitely don't poke anything in there or in any way attempt to 'clean' it.

I have similar problems with my ears. Blockages, trapped water, very soft wax, infections, large flakes of skin... What I find cuts down on the number of doctor's visits is the use of a seawater spray, specially formulated for cleaning the ears. I feel that it helps to dry out the gunk, making it easier to fall out.
I'm not in the UK, but I imagine you can find it there easily enough.

Sounds like it could be swimmers ear (not always caused by swimming!)

I’ve got an appointment next Friday. Sunshine has scared me now ... hope yours has been treated and you are on the mend!

I get this all the time due to not producing enough earwax. If you see a prescribing nurse you will get a spray to clear it up. Then go to the chemist and get some EAR CALM it is a gentle antiseptic designed for your ear. This should help prevent recurrence of the infection, you may get some still but a lot less

Sorry Prosecco. I didn't mean to be scary. At least ninety nine percent of people who have a yucky ear will, I am sure, get a very simple diagnosis and treatment. I fell into a very small and unlucky minority. But yes I am all fixed up now but still check in with my ENT specialist once a year.

What I wanted to stress though is that only a doctor who has examined you will know what's causing it and you shouldn't feel like you're wasting their time as not every illness or infection is accompanied by pain. Ears are delicate things and trying to treat it yourself without actually knowing what the problem is may actually land you in bigger trouble. Anyway you've got your appointment so you're doing the right thing. Just try and leave it alone in the meantime.