A skin thing! Psoriasis? Any idea what this is?

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It's been going on a couple of years now. Itchy, flaky skin behind my ears. It started pre-pandemic but wearing a mask all day at work really doesn't help!

It falls off in big or small flakes, sometimes forms plaque type things which peel/fall off in one go (particularly when I've used a lot of emollient)

I've tried slathering on emollients, weak steroid cream, strong steroid ointment. I've tried changing shampoo/conditioner, I've used head and shoulders for the last 6 months and have tried T gel- no improvement. It might clear up for a few days then comes back.

Any ideas what this could be or what else I can try?!

Are you washing off your shampoo? I used to get a build up of shampoo residue behind my ears as a teen because I didn't actively wash my ears when washing my hair and it caused similar

You could ask a pharmacist for advice; that looks sore!

Looks like eczema. I would try a gentle shampoo brand like OGX. Body shop Ginger Shampoo also good.

I get the same. I also have dry, flaky skin around my eyebrows and eyelids. Also my entire hairline flakes and has non itchy red bumps along it. I don't know what it is but I have no scalp problems at all, so I don't think it's psoriasis, although I know that can happen on other areas of the body too. Psoriasis looks silvery until picked off, mine is just white.

That could literally be my ear. However only the one and also the same thing in nape of neck. Ive had ezcema since forever but grown out of it on the rest of my body. Therefore doc has diagnosed as ezcema even though im not convinced. Literally the only thing that works for me is elcon steroid cream. Anything less potent is no good. Same issue though goes then comes back so I don't have any answers but you're not alone! I tend to just keep it moisturized using zero base and only bother with the steriods when it get to crisis point.

@dishedup I had wondered that before and also wondered if having a towel on my head meant behind my ears didn't dry properly. So now I make a conscious effort to dry them when I get out the shower!

@knittedfairies it's not too sore, quite itchy sometimes but mostly just very ugly

@Positivevibesonlyplease I've always assumed it was eczema but don't understand why steroids and moisturizing doesn't help much I've heard good things about body shop ginger shampoo and will have a look into OGX

I get this if I wear glasses with any exposed metal. It’s eczema.

I’m no expert but my contact dermatitis behaved like that (in a different area though)

Maybe you’re allergic to a product that touches that area, which is then exasperated by the physically irritating ear loops of the face masks. I recently found out that I have a contact allergy after patch testing. If you’re allergic to anything, switching products may not help until you know exactly what the irritant is

Definitely worth contacting your GP

Also it could be an allergy due to the length of time you’ve had it, and the fact it keeps reoccurring after treatment. Suggests your skin is getting re-triggered by something

@boomerwang that sounds like it could be sebbhoraeic dermatitis if it is in your hairline too with red bumps?

@msgiggles30 elocon is what I've used! It works for a few days then comes back when I've stopped using it. Horrible isn't it, I feel so self conscious of it, no idea if other people notice it or not...makes me feel awful!

@sofiaaaaaa hm it is definitely angry! Will have a look into common allergens from shampoos etc. A year or so ago I wondered if it was related to earrings- so haven't worn them since. No improvement..

Well TGel contains both fragrance and citric acid which can be common irritants. I would recommend trying a fragrance free shampoo.

Yes its horrible I've had it for years i never wear my hair. And also have it inside my ear too . This is what mine looks like when its at its worst - covered in cream here so normally dry and flaky. I have the exact same thing with elocon its like a miracle works so fast but then just back again days later. I did see a dermatologist about something else and showed him he just said its your fav picking spot you need to leave it alone . Also those saying shampoo its obviously worth trying but my other ear is completely fine so its obviously not that for me!

Also i forgot to say dermatologist said it can also be fungal so i have tried daktacort in the past too..didnt work for me but may be worth a try for you.

For my psoriasis I use OGX and Palmers cocoa butter shampoo, I flit between them. Both mild. OGX smells lovely, and the Palmers. Both are SLS free.
I use betnovate scalp application on prescription and Dermovate cream for my other patches. I get patches on my eye lid, behind my ear and my elbows.

@msgiggles30 inside my ear is also very dry but not as bad as behind. I use a cotton but to moisturise inside (not in ear canal though). Unfortunately I need my hair up for work!

@sofiaaaaaa I haven't used T gel for a while, as it didn't seem to help. Having a look at some hypoallergenic shampoos now! Wondering if one with zinc would be good or whether to stick to something more basic..

Yeah my little girl gets it on her thighs use dermalex x

My psoriasis presents just like this, behind my ears and in the scalp. Alphosyl shampoo works well for me, you can get it in most pharmacies. Good luck!

Hmmm, I think go as basic as possible to begin with! If the shampoo actually works, you’ll be able to start narrowing down the problematic ingredients with minimal trial and error.

What other products do you use around your ears? Shower gel, conditioner, laundry detergent etc could be culprits too

I’ve had similar on and off. I use nizoral shampoo for my hair. Certain metals ( nickel?) also set it off, I can only use gold or silver earrings.

Psoriasis. There are different variants, but that looks identical to my combination of plaque and inverse.

You need to get it diagnosed - then you could get a prescription for something like Dovobet and get checked out for the various complications and comorbidities associated with the condition, some of which can be extremely serious. It's also possible that the lesions have become infected, whether with bacteria or fungus. If that happens, a full on Hibiscrub routine 3 times in a week can help clear that so that the medication just has to deal with the excess growth; continued trauma from the mask is likely to be causing the flare.

Also mention if you have any back or joint pain or a tendency to get shinsplints, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis or other tendon issues, as Psoriatic Arthritis can be relieved through the correct medication.

The formal diagnosis is very important. Please get that.

In the meantime, Psoriderm bath additive can soothe the skin somewhat, but if T-Gel, mild-medium steroids aren't working along with emollient, you really need a referral to Dermatology.

I have eczema and have had this ear issue ever since I can remember. Started using Philip Kingsley Itchy Flaky Scalp shampoo about a month ago and noticed yesterday that my ears have been much much better. I wouldn’t say it was an instant remedy, but the longtime use has definitely built up and improved it.

That's how my psoriasis started. I'd ask a pharmacist for advice. Good luck.