Dry skin in ear canal - now weeping slightly - 55yr old me

[MsPrism]

I used to wear 'in ear' headphones when I was working in the office two days of the week, and they use to make my ears a bit dry and itchy. Nothing terrible, but I stopped using them, and wear normal over ear headphones now.
My ears don't seem to have improved and are really dry and slightly itchy inside with big bits of dry skin flaking off. I have been using an olive oil ear spray to moisturise, but it doesn't seem to be working. When I woke up this morning one ear canal was wet, like it was weeping. My hearing isn't effected.
I don't want to bother doctor with it really, but will the pharmacist be able to have a look, or should I go to a hearing centre or similar?
Has anyone had similar? Any help would be appreciated
:)

there is a type of eczema that is in ear canals.

I would ring your surgery as this is the type of thing that a practice nurse can deal with. It sounds as if you have an outer ear “swimmer’s ear” infection and might well need ear drops or cream to get rid of it. Better to go now rather than leave it and it becoming nasty.

Oooohhh had this for years. Used something for swimmers ear that cleared it up. It's called Earcalm. Then Eumovate when it's better to stop it coming back.

I've had this before, it seemed to last for ages then cleared up on its own. Very odd.

My ears get dermatitis in them. I just can't get rid of it. I was advised to put a drop of olive oil in each to soften the dryness. All that happened was that I developed ear infections in the canals. Wet like yours. I was given otomize ear spray. It heals it up almost immediately but it's prescription only, I think because it contains steroids.
I'm still working on the dry skin but no more olive oil.

From the thread title I thought the pain was making you weep, so I’m relieved to hear you’re not!

I would ask a pharmacist as your first port of call, hopefully they’ll be able to recommend something.

Do you have psoriasis elsewhere?
Mine has migrated to my inner ears :-(
Occasionally I put a little liquid steroid on a cotton bud and have a swish around.

I think it’s a symptom of menopause - like some women get dry eyes. My GP said some people just have itchy ears (unhelpful) and have me steroid ear drops which help temporarily but haven’t fixed it. HRT has helped a little bit. I’d love a cure.

Also, I walk a lot with in ear headphones. For a while I switched to bone conducting ones (away from ears). Made no difference to the dry itchy ears!

I would make an appointment with your GP. I have otitis externa (ezcema in my ear canals). You may need a cream to stop the flaky skin and itching.

I have this in my left ear only. So is there something other than the steroid/antibiotic spray?

Oh joy! Another glamorous menopause symptom. Thanks everyone, it's good to know that I'm not alone, I thought maybe it was a yeast thing, caused by hot warm ears, eczema makes sense.
I will call the surgery in the morning and make an appointment, I like the idea of the Otomize ear spray.
The society has some interesting info on olive oil:
'Olive oil is sometimes recommended for moisturising around the ear pinna and loosening wax. However, medical research evidence shows that olive oil damages the skin barrier. Instead, we recommend applying an emollient to treat dry skin around the ears and in the entrance to the ear canals, and use refined petroleum oil (unfragranced baby oil) or sunflower oil to soften ear wax (but consult first with a healthcare professional). Water is not recommended, nor are wax softener products bought from chemists, as they may encourage the build-up of debris and cause more inflammation and irritation.'
Which may explain why my 'earol' spray hasn't worked, and your olive oil drops didn't help either @MarshaMelrose
It does actually recommend something called an 'Aural toilet' which I like the sound of. Like an ear deep clean. Might google that too 😀
Thanks everyone

Link to Eczema Society:
eczema.org/information-and-advice/types-of-eczema/ear-eczema/

I've had this forever (many years before menopause). I can treat it but it always comes back.
It's true that otomise clears it up like magic but GPs are very reluctant to prescribe it unless there is infection because it contains antibiotic.
It also contains a mild steroid and this clears up the dry / flaky skin.
My GP advised me to use a mild OTC hydrocortesone cream. Just rub in ear with the tip of your finger.
In between lots of moisturiser, I use zerobase which I get for eczema.

I have had a nightare with my ears for 2 years. As I was due to go on holiday and couldn't get to the doc before I Googled and asked the pharmacist and she said the doctpr might prescribe hydrocortisone cream but she couldn't give me any. We had some at home and it's definitely made a huge difference using a little bit twice a day. This itching was driving me crazy and it's hardly an issue now after 3 days. I will go back to the docs if its still bad once I'm back.

@BeenThereDoneThat21 you can buy 1% hydrocortisone over the counter. You need a prescription (bizarrely) for 0.5% or more than 1%.

I know but the pharmacist said she wouldn't sell it me for my ears as it needed a prescription for using it on them. Even though you can just buy it over the counter!!

I use Otomize too, olive oil makes me have infections too. I buy it online , it's £15 iirc and I keep some in the cupboard. I use a small amount of CeraVe lotion in my ears after a shower which helps but a spray of Otomize at the first sign of itching.