Itchy ears; & when I say itchy I mean I would happily shove a cheese grater backwards & forewards in them on a bad day

[KatyMac]

The Doctor alternatively says Otitis Externa or fungal infection

I say I don't care but please stop the itching; what on earth can I do?

If it's fungal canestan drops

And the imbalance in your Rae means you'll get loads of infections so one is sort of causing the other. Has the GP swabbed ?

Any possibility it is allergy related? I get very itchy throat and ears when I eat something I'm a bit reactive to.

Change your shampoo/hair products, use a very small amount of hydrocortisone 1%.

It could well be allergic

GP says I "should get on with it, I mean it's only an itchy ear"

Canestan & I don't really get on....at least not where I currently don't use it anymore

I always get itchy/tickly ears at the start of an allergic episode (get nose/eye reactions to various things). Sometimes it wakes me up in the night

I've been prescribed a spray, think it was called Otomize, for itchy ears in the past.
Vaguely recall GP said it was 'just dry skin' but the itch was awful.
Spray helped immediately, think you may be able to get it over the counter but can't remember what's in it

Otomize is prescription (damn)

I wondered about aqueous cream (sudocrem too drying) if it's dry skin

Any other suggestions?

Ideally home remedy ones as I don't want to see the GP

Thanks for the ideas so far

Anti-histamines - at night take some Piriton (it can make you drowsy) but it is an excellent anti histamine.

Good idea

If it gets better it's an allergy; if it doesn't we try something else

I have itchy ears too. To the point that I scratch them til they bleed as I'd rather have sore ears than itchy ones. They flake and peel all the time and I have almost become addicted to picking the skin out of them (yuck I know)
My Gp said it was otitis and gave me drops but as soon as I stopped them it all came back.

I saw on Embarrassing Bodies a girl with the same thing and the Dr took swabs, prescribed the correct antibiotics and she was cured.

I cant seem to get my GP to take swabs....very frustrating

I symathise with you OP.

I have had this for years, it's horrible!

I've always just been told its eczema. Or however you spell it.

I get through a lot of cotton buds, and when it's really bad I get Fucibet cream from the docs.

Sometimes I use stuff called Earol Swim, which is basically olive oil and tea tree in a nice little dispenser. It doesn't get rid of it but it stops it being so dry and itchy.

Right. Fucibet if you can get it. If not.... Thin layer of hydrocortisone applied by cotton bud (bad, but it's the only way), then E45 or similar aqueous cream. Or, if you need immediate relief Sudocrem. Not as effective but should keep you going. Try changing your shampoo, I use Polytar which can be a bit drying but gets rid of flakes falling into ears. GP wrong to dismiss as I've had some severe bloody painful ear infections that started with itching . Worse in cold winter weather too. Hope you get sorted

To be honest if it was me I would change GP, if you go with a genuine problem you should not be told to get on with it.

Can you see a better gp in the same practice?

Thanks everyone - I may brave the GP again & see if they suggest anything

& I'll use carefully applied aqueous cream in the meantime

Olive oil on a cotton bud and wiped around after a shower every morning helps mine.

Wiped around the inside of your ear that is-not around the shower!

I'd have probably tried my ear first anyway......maybe?

No it happens pretty much all the time; I suppose it could be my shampoo

I was better yesterday (but I took an antihistamine for another allergy)