Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

3Hotdogs

(13,363 posts)
Mon Aug 29, 2022, 10:33 PM Aug 2022

Itching on my ears. Been years, and it's driving me crazy.

Been to 4 doctors, get cream or oil prescriptions and they do not help.

Dermatologist today, I will get a new prescription tomorrow. She says, if this doesn't work, nothing more she can do.

Any thoughts?

27 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Itching on my ears. Been years, and it's driving me crazy. (Original Post) 3Hotdogs Aug 2022 OP
I have eczema in my ears. Does not itch so much as bug me. Psoriasis applegrove Aug 2022 #1
It's not a nickel allergy is it? Wire Rim glasses? Blues Heron Aug 2022 #2
No, on glasses. Plastic frames. 3Hotdogs Aug 2022 #15
The only thing that ever worked for my son was tea tree oil (which is strong) so cut with ratchiweenie Aug 2022 #3
Where do you buy tea tree oil? FuzzyRabbit Aug 2022 #4
I think Walgreens has it. CentralMass Aug 2022 #5
Healthfood store or online. SheltieLover Aug 2022 #6
I get it at Walmart. It's usually on the shelf in the supplements area. Midnight Writer Aug 2022 #7
I buy Sun Essential Tea Tree Oil at Amazon but all health food stores carry it and ratchiweenie Aug 2022 #9
I never dilute it. G2theD Aug 2022 #10
Walmart, about $6.28 for one ounce bottle. 3Hotdogs Sep 2022 #27
Update --- I bought tea tree oil from WallyWorld....$6.28 per bottle. 3Hotdogs Sep 2022 #26
Do you use soap to wash your outer ears? marybourg Aug 2022 #8
No, on the soap. 3Hotdogs Aug 2022 #18
I had a friend once who... 2naSalit Aug 2022 #11
Yes, I had a friend who had that and it turned ratchiweenie Aug 2022 #24
That's what I was going to write... 2naSalit Aug 2022 #25
I get that in summer Warpy Aug 2022 #12
Ask for nystatin cream or liquid for oral... pbmus Aug 2022 #13
This message was self-deleted by its author 3Hotdogs Aug 2022 #16
No luck with nystatin. 3Hotdogs Aug 2022 #17
Try an acupuncturist nilram Aug 2022 #14
The past few days I have had an itchy rash Crazyleftie Aug 2022 #19
West Nile... no. I've had this for years, before W.N. came to the U.S. 3Hotdogs Aug 2022 #20
My ears itched a lot too. ProudMNDemocrat Aug 2022 #21
I suspect my pillow 4now Aug 2022 #22
Medical Marijana yankee87 Aug 2022 #23

applegrove

(123,001 posts)
1. I have eczema in my ears. Does not itch so much as bug me. Psoriasis
Mon Aug 29, 2022, 10:36 PM
Aug 2022

I have elsewhere. It does itch. Not much I can do with creams but keep it moist. They have pills you can take but I don't like the side effects. I just live with it.

ratchiweenie

(7,904 posts)
3. The only thing that ever worked for my son was tea tree oil (which is strong) so cut with
Mon Aug 29, 2022, 10:53 PM
Aug 2022

coconut oil on a cotton ball. Dab on once or twice a day or when the itch starts. Works for him. Tea tree oil is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and is amazing for relieving itch. I use it for so many things. I even sprinkle it on my furnace filter one a month in the winter and it eliminates all fungal spores, etc. and makes the whole house smell good when it's been closed up for weeks. Can't hurt to try an herbal if all else fails.

Midnight Writer

(22,944 posts)
7. I get it at Walmart. It's usually on the shelf in the supplements area.
Mon Aug 29, 2022, 11:01 PM
Aug 2022

I imagine any store with a big supplement section would have it.

ratchiweenie

(7,904 posts)
9. I buy Sun Essential Tea Tree Oil at Amazon but all health food stores carry it and
Mon Aug 29, 2022, 11:24 PM
Aug 2022

so do the pharmacies and even walmart, etc. Just make sure you get a 100% pure oil. It is amazing stuff for mosquito bites and every kind of itch, not to mention people who have nail fungus problems and even severe dandruff use it for cure and itch relief. I always dilute it with a little coconut oil which I also buy at Amazon, food grade. Neither is expensive.

https://www.amazon.com/Tree-LARGE-OUNCE-Best-Essential/dp/B00PHVXIQA/ref=sr_1_16?crid=CCDG08AY5BEB&keywords=Tea+Tree+oil&qid=1661832919&sprefix=tea+tree+oil%2Caps%2C776&sr=8-16#customerReviews

https://www.amazon.com/Coco-Road-Organic-Virgin-Coconut/dp/B089CVB1GJ/ref=sr_1_31?crid=32XF6O5VBR4VF&keywords=food+grade+coconut+oil&qid=1661833323&sprefix=food+grade+coconut+oil%2Caps%2C286&sr=8-31

Really, both are easy to find in various sizes and quite cheap. Good luck.

G2theD

(601 posts)
10. I never dilute it.
Mon Aug 29, 2022, 11:39 PM
Aug 2022

I take a q-tip and just touch the inside of the bottle just a wee bit. It absorbs like crazy - almost like gasoline - Then rub it around the inside of my ear where it itches

I tried to cure it and was prescribed different things and they gave me a steroid as a last resort. Never went completely away so I just manage it when it really starts to bother me, otherwise I just live with it.

3Hotdogs

(13,363 posts)
26. Update --- I bought tea tree oil from WallyWorld....$6.28 per bottle.
Sun Sep 11, 2022, 10:41 PM
Sep 2022

It works. I apply it morning and night.

I use it undiluted. Burns a bit but no itching.

Thanx. I knew Dr. Google would come through.

marybourg

(13,171 posts)
8. Do you use soap to wash your outer ears?
Mon Aug 29, 2022, 11:04 PM
Aug 2022

If yes, try using water only. My ears turn red and peel if I use soap on them.

2naSalit

(92,451 posts)
11. I had a friend once who...
Mon Aug 29, 2022, 11:50 PM
Aug 2022

Had that as a symptom when she had too much of a certain nutrient. Can't recall what it was at the moment.

2naSalit

(92,451 posts)
25. That's what I was going to write...
Tue Aug 30, 2022, 06:54 PM
Aug 2022

Then I decided I wasn't sure, but that's what it was in her case. Thanks!

Warpy

(113,130 posts)
12. I get that in summer
Tue Aug 30, 2022, 12:01 AM
Aug 2022

I have no clue what causes it and my ears aren't broken out and it goes away in cold weather. I agree that it's bizarre.

If it gets particularly bad, I use either cortisone cream or lidocaine lotion, both OTC and both take the edge off.

pbmus

(12,438 posts)
13. Ask for nystatin cream or liquid for oral...
Tue Aug 30, 2022, 02:10 AM
Aug 2022

And cut down on gluten…you could be gluten intolerant

Response to pbmus (Reply #13)

nilram

(2,971 posts)
14. Try an acupuncturist
Tue Aug 30, 2022, 02:44 AM
Aug 2022

Might be able to calm the nerves down.

(Tho tea tree oil makes sense to me, too. I have some Dermodex soaps that incorporate it.)

Crazyleftie

(458 posts)
19. The past few days I have had an itchy rash
Tue Aug 30, 2022, 06:26 AM
Aug 2022

but on various parts of my body. Went to a walk in clinic did a blood test. No answer as to what it is.
Did some research, could be:

kidney
west nile
heat rash
covid
allergy

I a gonna die!!!!!!!!

3Hotdogs

(13,363 posts)
20. West Nile... no. I've had this for years, before W.N. came to the U.S.
Tue Aug 30, 2022, 06:29 AM
Aug 2022

No, on heat rash. It's all year long.

Allergy. Maybe, but why only on ears?

Kidney? What would be the connection?

ProudMNDemocrat

(19,030 posts)
21. My ears itched a lot too.
Tue Aug 30, 2022, 06:52 AM
Aug 2022

When I cut out carbs like rice, pastas, potatoes, Breads, the itching stopped over time. I have issues with gluten and soy. Also, my craving for sugar dropped as well.

Also, I am Lactose intolerant. Just a little bit of cheese here and there. This all stopped in early 2019.

The ringing in the ears is less severe as well. But that is me. You might want to ask about a skin condition called Rocesea. ( Ro-shay-sha)

Hope this helps.

yankee87

(2,335 posts)
23. Medical Marijana
Tue Aug 30, 2022, 12:36 PM
Aug 2022

It won't cure your illness, but it helps by making the pain feel like it's over there, rather than in your ear,

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Chronic Health Conditions Discussion and Support»Itching on my ears. Been...