Endlessly itchy wet ears

[SimplyMe2007]

Since I was a child I have had ear problems but over the past few years I have had increasingly maddening ear problems.  I have used drops and anti biotics.  I sense relief then the symptoms return.  Most days I can hear but am constantly aware that my ears are itchy.  The challenge is to not itch.  If I itch, I usually get flaky stuff that I literally can lift off my inner ear.If I itch too much it becomes wet and begins draining a wet clear fluid.  Then at night, whatever side I lay on clogs shut.  In the morning there is thick crusty crud that again I try not to pick at.  Im obviously in continual circle of symptoms here.  Dr's seem to think I cause this problem by itching which causes infection which causes itchiness. HELP please?  I am open to homeopathic suggestions as mainstream medicine just seems to temporarily relieve the symptoms and not cure the cause.  Thanks in advance

[lynnoso]

This is my whole problem too, right now I'm using cortisporin tc- and going again to see doc. so he can put another ear wick in both ears.  

[SaintsFan78]

I never had problems with my ears until i started cleaning them with qtips.  it felt so great that I would do it every night.  Eventually, I had Q-tipped all of the ear wax out of my ears.  The problem with that is, then you have nothing to protect the thin, sensitive skin of the ear canal from drying out and no natural movement of the then dry, flaky skin out of the ear canal because you have taken all the wax out.  So the dry flaked off skin sits in your ear canal and itches and it gets wet from showering or drainage from the little abrasions you've made by rubbing so hard to quell the itch and it rots which can lead to bacterial and fungal infections.  so you Qtip some more to satisfy the itch, which starts the endless cycle over again.  Sometimes you rub yourself a sore which then opens the skin to infection and you end up with a  massive case of cellulitis in your ear, like me.  I've been dealing with this for two years now.  It *****.  And its virtually impossible to ever go back to normal because you can't leave your ears alone long enough to let them heal and rebuild a healthy layer of ear wax again.  This is because the itch is so maddening and you need to have the ears professionally cleaned to get rid of all the dead skin so you don't get infection (but this removes ear wax).  I have tried the steroid/dermotic oil drops and they do provide some good relief, but I am scared to use them for more than a week - so I always end up miserable again.  I have heard of getting a wax transplant that is quite effective, but the idea of having some other person's ear wax transplanted into my ear (even after being sterilized) is just too gross for me to handle at this point.  So I don't have any magic cures, just wanted to let everyone know they are not alone in their misery.  

[vonniegirly]

I had the exact same problem and my doctor told me to go to the local drug store and by some drops for athelets feet. I put a drop on a q tip and wipe my ears and it is cured untill the next time but it does work

[MackP]

Hey All: I found this site after googling the same things I'm sure everyone has.  That was a while back.  I'm back and actually posting this time, because I have something to share that might help a few.  I apologize if this has already been mentioned.  I started taking a 24 hour allergy medication, like Claritin off brand, and after I had taken it every day for about 5 days, my ears weren't itching, or even 1/4 as scaly and didn't hold water anymore than what my normal friends tell me.  

[tiajack]

this is the first thing that makes sense. i am going to try this. where do you get calm ear? is it a lotion/ointment? please keep us updated.

[dramaqueen63]

Maybe 5 years ago I began having a sensation in my left ear as if a bug was crawling in my ear.  A trip to the ENT revealed nothing more than slight wax buildup.  Coincidentally, I was tested for allergies and told I had none.  My symptoms increased. Occasionally, I also experience the watery ear and I've always been told that my ears have alot of fluid.  Now my itchy ear bug sensation became at times painful with a pressure, tingling sensation as well.  I went to a second ENT.  Another skin ***** test revealed allergies to mold, dustmites, trees, and grass.  That does fit because I have built a home on 5 acres of land with grass/trees and I now have hardwood floors and rugs which increases dustmite allergies.  I was told to start allergy shots which I did for 2 years.  Eventually I paid for (because insurance will not) allergy drops in lieu of shots so I've now been treated with immunotherapy for 3 years which is supposed to cure you of allergies.  I've also taken Xyzal, prescription Zyrtec every night for 3 years!  My allergies are no better!  My ears continue to itch particularly my left ear though the right ear itches somewhat as well.  My ears itch worse at night. I saw my ENT yesterday and told him I'm done with the drops/shots.  Why spend $1200 a year for drops that aren't working?  He shrugged as if it's no big deal to him.  He still maintains that my ear itching is from mold allergies.  I do buy that but I also wonder if there's more.  I also wonder about food allergies as were mentioned in other posts.  After seeing 2 ENT's I don't know where to turn.  Can anyone help!