Itchy ears driving me mad

[BG2015]

I'm 56, post menopausal and I'm on tablets to stop my body producing oestrogen after breast cancer in 2021. Im on these for another 7 years or so. They have given me a lot of side effects but I persevere with them as the alternative could be worse.

My ears have become terribly itchy, they are flaky and sore and I've had 3 ear infections in the last 10 months. They become so dry and sore that I use Vaseline or castor oil on them and they become infected with scratching.

Antibiotics and optimize spray sort them out but the cycle just repeats.

It's driving me crazy.

I have exactly the same! I don't know if it's hormone related though.

I use H45 cream (not E45) on a cotton bud when I remember and it softens and soothes really well.

Yep, this is me, but I’m early 40s. I’ve been using E45 Eczema cream

Following - I’m only 40 but have had this issue for 10 years. It makes me feel crazy at nights and massively disturbs my sleep. Nothing every properly fixes it

At least it's not just me then. I'll get some H45 cream, that may be better.

Apparently itchy ears are another joy of menopause!

Have you tried antihistamines? They sort my menopausal itches out mostly.

@Summerhillsquare I could try it. Add it to my repertoire of tablets Certainly 👍🏼

Wonder if it could be sebbhoeric dermatitis, which affects skin where hair grows (eg scalp, eyebrows) and which has oil glands, such as around the ears, nose...or more intimate areas.

There are shampoos or creams you can buy otc (nizoral or even baby shampoo) but I've no idea if you can use them inside the ear! A gp might be able to prescribe or if you could afford it you could try a private dermatologist.

I use a tiny dab of hydrocortisone in the opening of each ear before bed. It sorts it right out. I used to constantly be on Otimize but I never need it now.

Yes the H45 is hydrocortisone cream.

It's eczema. I had exactly the same, including some really bad infections, and ENT diagnosed eczema and prescribed cream. Omg, bliss. Every now and then it flares up so I treat it with otc eczema cream.

If it's really bad then start off with Hydrocortisone Ointment 1% w/w, otherwise Eurax Cream.

Ah, of course. I read E45.

Does anyone else’s ears fill more quickly with wax these days? My left one needs microsuctioned every couple of months. The joys!

I had this. Kept going back to GP and they referred me on eventually who took swabs and it turned out it was a fungal thing which the antibiotic spray was masking. Gave me some medication and it went away instantly.

I think mine is mostly hayfever just now. I did get referred to ENT last year, and antibiotic drops seem to have sorted the recurrent infection. (I also had a gynae referral after 43 days of bleeding, to be told it's "just" perimenopause. Yay.)

I’ve got this too and it sounds as if we’re on a similar regime OP (tamoxifen). I have always had chronic otitis media but that was painful as opposed to itchy. Now the itchiness is unbearable. It’s so sore. I get splits on the entrance to my ear canal. I use La Roche Posay Baume to keep the area moisturised and OTC Ear Calm is useful but short term. I became immune to Otomize. I think I’m going to book GP and see if they have any better solutions.

I shed my ear lining once - it unpeeled in a spiral.

No one tells you it’s bright yellow. And spongy.

Mine looked like a fat omelette, studded with scabs, scars, healed holes, hairs, dried blood clots and wax.

Unpeeling it was delicious, as was being left with a shiny pink new ear.

I have been through HELL with itchy ears. You would not believe, infections like you wouldn't believe. I have even ended up in hospital with a drain in my ear for the worst ear infection ever. The whole side of my face swollen up with an ear infection
I thank a doctor who said to me quite a few years ago you need prevention not cure. You have eczema in your ear.
Use hydrocortisone cream on a cotton wool bud when you feel your ears so itchy you can't bear them
I have never suffered with an ear infection since

I use sorion cream for this.

could it be eczema ? More common there than people think. Plenty moisturising and when bad some 1%hydrocortisone - worth a try x

Earol spray is good for itchy ears too.

@PleaseDontFingerMyPouffeI actually have this on my head and never connected the two. I've got a lotion I use on my scalp and the red Nizrol shampoo keeps it at bay. I also have an itchy bum and have been treated twice for that. The practice nurse has said she may need to refer me on if it keeps happening.

Hydrocortisone when it's really itchy and moo goo cream in between __

GP prescribed Daktacort cream. It helps but it never completely goes away. Itches inside like mad

You need to post this over in Sporner’s Corner. Everyone would love it. Even better if you have a photo. It sounds amazing.

I’ve had itchy sore ears for years. No obvious cause. DH would check in my ears and it would be red and inflamed. I changed shampoo a few months ago and my ears are so much happier. I tried my old shampoo again and instant itchy ears. I guess there’s something in there that I react to. I have eczema anyway so I use a bit of prescription cream on a cotton bud to soothe them when needed and pawpaw cream when I need moisturising in my ears.