Itchy, dry skin

[Ara_Fear]

For 5 years I  had this odd patch of skin in my ear that itches and peels off. It started out as a small patch on my left ear that i easily hid behind my hair and tried to forget about but recently it has been spreading. Now it is in both ears so badly that i have to pick the skin off to hear right and has also spread to both eyebrows and even my right eyelid! It's becomeing embarassing to have peope see it but everything ive tried hasnt managed to get rid of it. Im trying hydrocortozone now because i read on wiki that it might help but i doubt it will. Please help me!


This discussion is related to Rapid desquamatization of skin in ear canal.

[meme908]

My 3-mo old grandson suddenly shows.  a trianglar red skin irritation just inside his ear, not in the canal and he doesn't seem at all bothered  by it. Could it be exema? My dtr., the baby's mom, recently developed this condition around her eyes. She never had it as a child,

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to eczema skin. Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.

For mild-moderate symptoms a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide).But they are available under prescription and should be taken only after consulting a dermatologist. Symptoms  can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.