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?

[sweetiepoops]

WHICH:
"Mario Badescu Cream"
(there are at least 100 different products under that name)...?!!!

[caledonialassie]

Update: The condition returned (itchy eczema on outer ear, leaky fluid, pain and itching in inner ear)--so I finally went to an ENT, and am thrilled to report that I found a wonderful university-affiliated doc who has helped immensely.

Yes, the problem is a fungal yeast infection (Malassezia), as the nurse practitioner had said earlier (see my previous posts). Here's what the ENT doc did, and the problem seems to be 99% solved after two visits: He suction-vacuumed the yeast growth from inside my ears (a little bit painful, but not nearly as painful as the actual ear problem, and the procedure only took a minute). Then he sprayed boric acid powder deep into my ear canals. He prescribed Mometasone Furoate 0.1% ointment for the dry, flaky skin on the outer ear. My inner ears are now dry (leaky fluid is gone) and they no longer itch. I apply the ointment once a day, and the horrible redness on my outer ears is gone. There's still some dry skin, but nothing like before.

If you decide to go to an ENT, call their office beforehand and ask them to tell you EXACTLY how they treat inner-ear yeast infections. If the ENT's treatment does not include suction vacuuming and boric acid powder, then cross that doc off your list and call another ENT until you find one that does. Boric acid is as old as the hills, and it WORKS. But the powder needs to be sprayed deep into your ear, and the ENT will have the equipment for doing this.

My hearing is back to normal, and it is so great to be rid of the ITCH. Rather than a food allergy, I'm now wondering whether the condition originated from sitting in a sauna at the YMCA. The problem seemed to start shortly after I joined the Y a couple of years ago. I don't swim, but I did take aerobic water exercise classes and got pool water in my ears. I also liked to sit in the sauna. The ENT doc said to keep water out of my ears, and to avoid the sauna (which causes the inner ear to sweat). And don't use q-tips!

I hope the problem is now solved, but if it returns I'll book another appointment for ear vacuuming and boric acid treatment. I also hope this info helps others who are dealing with the same problem. Good luck!

[mammamimi]

At least I now know I am not nuts.  I have had issues with ear infections for about 5 years, but no big deal. One a year, resolved by antibiotic ear drops.  But, since November I have had constant issues -- ear infections, and itching in the canal.  I had been seeing one ENT, who just kept treating the ear infections, not the underlying condition.  So I switched to another ENT this year, who has a subspecialty in otology and something else ear related.  Not all ENTs major in ears, so check the qualifications before you go.  She says the underlying weeping condition makes the ear canal hospitable to bacteria, hence the infections.  I am seeing her with some minor success, but still have some pain.  I have started an elimination diet (no dairy, soy or nuts) and will see how that works.  Will do two weeks and if no improvement add more allergens, like eggs.  I have also made an appointment with an allergist for next week.  And I have found an acupuncturist that a neighbor says is great.  She had a different issue.  If the allergist and the elimination diet don't work, I am off to the acupuncturist.  I have been prescribed oral and topical antibiotics and topical steroid drops.  They are supposed to help the ears heal.  Some improvements apparently when the ENT looks into my ears.  I take lots of Advil, which helps take an edge off, and I just started an antihistamine, Claritin.  I also bought an OTC exyma cream that I put just at the edge of my ears -- I don't put anything in the ears at all, except for vaseline on cotton balls to each my hair. I have short hair, and I recently bleached it, so I only wash it once a week to keep those ear canals dry.
No one who doesn't have this condition can believe it, so I am glad to have found this community.  Thanks for listening.

[RitaRR]

I have had this problem for years. The only thing that was worked for me is a prescription of Nystatin / Triamcinalone ointment. I just saw my ENT today for more refills. There is no cure still. I hate the itchy draining ears! For those of you suffering, talk to your doctor about this prescription ointment. It does help! It won't heal, but it will control the itching and draining. xo

[robinlyons]

I have been having this problems for yrs my ears itch on a daily basis then I also have episodes when my ear canal gets really tender to the touch and then I suppose from the scratching i'm doing it gets so inflamed that it feels as if a bump or pimple is in my ear at times and it swells shut. This is the worst pain I have ever felt. I have went to the Dr but they give me ear drops and tell me I have a external ear infection and that because my ear canals are really small they cant drain good. This is about to drive me insane. I just cant figure out why my ears are constantly itching with the feeling as if a little bit of drainage is trying to come out. But when I clean my ears with q-tip I get very little if nothing at all out of my ears just a little moisture. My Dr has even mentioned giving me steroid shots in my ears . That really scared me so now I haven't been back wont unless my ears swells shut again which i'm sure will happen... I'm at the point I feel like I could dig my ear completely off. The right one is the one that gives me the most problems the canal stays so dry with small flakes of dry skin in them... anyone with any advice !

[goodt]

I think you're right. Mine are exactly the same way and I suspect it's from the yeast in beer.