Allergy/Eczema in Ears leaking clear fluid

[melamommy]

I've had eczema in my ears for 15 yrs. It is very cyclical, starting w/intense uncontrollable itching, then clear fluid leaking from skin, followed by crusting over & flaking of skin in ears that is itchy in & of itself, leading to more scratching & picking at ears. The skin in my ears gets very damaged and ratty during outbreaks. I also have swelling of the ear canal after these itch/scratch episodes that are sometimes quite painful, & Motrin helps that.  ENT Dr. prescribed steriod cream. Yes, it clears it up & I follow through w/recommended application after rash dissappears, but as SOON as I stop applying cream, rash returns just as intense. I don't use steriod creams anymore because it's not a CURE & I'm not crazy about putting steriods in my head everyday. I know eczema is really an allergy & will never disappear until allergen is removed. My next step is to see an allergist to find out what could be triggering this.  I read that a nickel allergy can create eczema around ears from wearking earrings (most are made of nickel).  But I'm more concerned now because I'm noticing more leaking of the clear fluid.  Does anyone else experience this clear fluid leaking?  What is it?  Lymph fluid trying to heal the area? CSF leaking, in my case maybe from trauma to the ear canal from the severe scratching episodes I go through?

[alchris]

If you can collect the ear fluid bring it to an ENT who can send it for lab resluts to see if it is CSF leaking.  Though  it should be in a sterile container and I am not sure how long the fluid if it is CSF will hold stable for.  But your best bet is to try and collect it.

[lmw5298]

i totally have the exact thing your talking about w/ the ear eczema... skin, itch, crusting, leaking everthing...omg....i cant take anymore either.....

[aloev]

I don't know if you will read this as your note was posted a little while ago...  but I have had the same eczema in my ears for years too.  The same itching, scratching and weeping (which is a colourless fluid the same as produced by other types of eczema).   I used steroid cream for years too but I also didn't think it was good for my body in general.  I have now discovered Aloe Propolis cream...  it is totally natural and I pop a little in my ears if they feel dry or itchy.  It hasn't cured completely yet...  but these things take a while... but it is definitely helping and is something I will continue to use always.  If you need a supplier I can recommend one.   Best wishes.

[slb83]

hi my mum has this exact thing and i would be very grateful if you would recommend a supplier of the cream tht you mentioned

[sporty21]

Hi I had the same itch in my ears and nose. The itch and the clear fluid that leaked out drove me bonkers. I tried numerous creams that were prescribed by my doctor. Nothing worked. Then I went to a different doctor and he recommended a lotion called Ectoson regular 0.1%. BINGO!!!! the eczema in and around my ears and nose is gone. I  apply a bit of it to the affected area 1-2 times a day and around 4-6 days my rash was just about gone. I've only been on this stuff for 3 weeks now. I am starting to use less and less to see if the rash comes back. I hope this info helps you people out.

[yammos]

I seem to have similar problem.  For several years now I have had greater amounts of wax and occasionally, once a month in each ear fluid leaking for a day.  Then fluid stops and firms up like a yellowy wax out of the ear.  Now my one ear has gotten worse to the point I have been taking steroid drops to keep it clear as I wait to see specialist.  The doctor says wax in the ears or an ear infection that will not go away but this may be a skin ear irritation - I do have rosacia on my face.

Anyone else have similar problem ?  What should I use rather then steroid drops ?

[Bingo1260]

I have had the same problem for many years now.  I have tried everything!  I am now going to try the above creams and see if that works.  

Thanks, CMF

[babygirlholly]

i injured my right ear using a cotton bud and was prescribed drops which cleared up the problem but then i developed a prob with my left ear. i have never had ear probs before but now have constant infections in my left ear. they are as you describe, itchy, sore, dry then leaking fluid. my doc has prescribed antibiotics every time, and although the ear clears it comes straight back again within a few days. it gets very uncomfortable and my ear swells and is painful. i would love a cure as i am reluctant to go back to my docs and have more antibiotics. at the moment it is sore, scaly and leaking. any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[butterfly328]

Same thing here.. Ive had a tube in my ear for 6 years now.. Ever sence then ive had nothing but the itching, draining of fluid, swelling inside and outside of my ear, crust, no wax at all anymore in that ear just fluid etc.. The itching is so bad i cant stand it.. Ive been put on antibiotics everytime and it never works except for the time that im takin them then it comes right back.. I feel like the Drs. just want to write it off as some ear infection and i know that no infection keeps comin right back after antibiotics everytime.. Lazy doctors is what i think.. I never had these kind of problems till the tube was put into my ear, thats why i found the allergy thing interesting.. Maybe im allergic to something in the tube.. Oh, and its also my left ear.. No problems with my right ear at all that has NO tube in it.. Anyone else have a tube in the ear that is the problem ear??

[waheedakhtar]

Hi I am suffering from Eczema since my childhood, i had it over my body.. but now I only have it bellow my feet, for last couple of months, I don't use any medicine, as steroids have damaged me a lot. I only use 2 very cheap curse, which make me relieved.

1- For Etching, whenever i feel etching, I take fresh water in a small tub, add salt to it (1 table spoon for 1 jug) and dip my feet into it for 15 minutes or till it stops etching. Once it stops etching, I take out my feet and dry those with a towel, without rubbing.

2- Soon after I apply some oil (may be brassica oil, olive oil or whatever natural oil i can get) to it...

As soon as I feel my skin drying, I apply oil again. Usually 4 to 5 times in 4 to5 hours.

This not only stops etching for 4 to 5 hours, but gradually reduces the intensity of inflamation (inflammation) as well.

I repeat this after every 5 to 8 hours.

[sajonsie]

I had the same thing for about 4/5 years, ear leaking clear fluid, itchy etc. My doctor prescribed me sofradex ear drops, which i used intensely for the first few weeks but now i only use once every month, its kept it at bay so far and i've been on them about a year. hope this helps

Also, locotern vioform ear drops are sometimes prescribed for less severe cases.

[Clara54]

I had never known anyone else with this problem until recently. I have had a tube in my right ear for almost 20 years and the itching problem for nearly that long. Doctors just say that I have eczema and to put a cortizone cream in to solve the problem. It doesn't work! Right now I have the itching, swelling, pain and fluid on a regular basis. The person I spoke with, that has the same problem, said that it's allergy related and I should get wheat products out of my diet. I am going to give this a try and see what happens.

[Jenn220]

About 10 years ago I had a bad break out of eczema and after the dermatologist had prescribed 8 different prescription medications I was beginning to think I was going to have to live with this ugly rash.  Then I was introduced to Cetaphil lotion.  Within a week the rash was gone.  Make sure you buy the Cetaphil that is in the tub because it is thicker then the bottle.  I use this after every time I shower and I have not had a break since until now.
Recently medication used for my ear caused me to develop eczema in my ear.  I was prescribed a medication but after my first experience I had little faith in it.  I decided to try my own cure first.  I have been taking a small piece of rolled tissue and dipping it into the Cetaphil lotion.  I then gently roll it around inside my ear.  I have opted for the tissue because it is soft and I know that you can damage you ear using cue tips.  I have been doing this for about a week and the pain in my ear is almost completely gone.  I cannot say it has completely worked but I think within a couple more days it will be gone.
Through the years I have run into a couple of other people with eczema that wouldn’t go away and Cetaphil has worked for each of them.  You can find it at any major drug store.

[sheldra]

ugh my ear is soooooooooooooooo itchy i 'll kill my eardrum with a q-tip, i'm sure.  I can't stand it anymore,,,,I have an itchy rash on neck, my lower lip and a leaky crusty itchy clogged left ear...what is happening....i've always had eczema on my  has..but this is ruinging my life...i've been to 8 doctors and tons of antibiotics and steriods but nothing is working....what is wrong with my body???

[Atx19]

i have blistery pathches that itch like hell on both arm.. i also have this ear problem too.. are they both eczema?

[alanala]

I have same thing -itchy crusty right ear - plus deaf from build up of white yukky flakes-left ear smells like rotten cheese and has fluid.  I put peroxide in them and can hear the bacteria breaking up. Am I destined to live forever with this -started after major fall on a dirty metal escolator tread that punctured my forhead- then started with large lymph glands on back of neck and then leaked fluid then turned to crusty ecsema (eczema) thern traveled to ears. OMG

[BeckyJan]

I posted something a month or two ago but I'm not sure if it was here.  Anyway, I mentioned Candida and that I was trying a homeopathic treatment.  So far it hasn't worked and I've been scratching and digging harder and keeper than ever.  I've had this ear thing for many, many years since I was a little girl.  My grandfather used to dig at his ears with toothpicks.  So, I'm guessing it's an eczema thing caused by one allergy or another.  Whatever it is, nothing has worked.  I just saw the post from the person who used Zymox.  A light went off--I have three dogs and a bottle of Zymox!  I just swabbed both ears with Zymox.  They actually seem a bit calmed, but are throbbing, as usual after I've attacked them.  I get the itch, scratch and then I dig my ears with anything I can get my hands on.  Untwisted paper clips work great.  They bleed and a clear fluid runs out of them.  I swab with peroxide and put an antibiotic ointment in them, hopefully to avoid ear infections.  They won't itch for an hour or two.  Lately, crazily, whether they itch or not, I'll stick something in them and scratch anyway.  I had to laugh at one person's description of being addicted to scratching them.  That starts the whole cycle again because the scratching feels great. But of course the burning and throbbing starts again, along with the bleeding and fluid.   I'll post again after using Zymox for a few days and let you know how it worked.  In the mean time, I empathize will all of you and I feel better knowing that I'm not the only person with maddening itchy ears.  My doctor also thinks I'm crazy and told me to just stop scratching them.  OoooooKaaaaaa.  I too wake up during the night, scratching away!