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?

[jdine]

I hAve the same problem if I eat wheat or gluten.  You wrote this a long time ago.  Have you found a solution?

[Fishcat]

I have this problem also! I’ve been itching and scratching for the past 10 years, always passed off as eczema but I’m sure it’s fungal. It clears up with steroids or steroid cream then comes straight back. I scratch with cotton buds, it goes right down inside my ears, I scratch it so vigorously I have tinnitus in one ear. Has anyone used any effective oral anti fungal meds? I fear this is the only way I can get rid of it since it goes so deep.

[theflyingbaron]

Sad to say that I have had the same problem.  Started off as mild itching in one ear, and then the other.  Took time to really develop and the doctors dismissed it as eczema.  It then developed to produce a clear liquid that STANK and lumps of flaking skin.  I was given steroid creams but I was also diagnosed with Lichen Planus on my gums and later my scalp.  This led to a decent amount of alopecia on my scalp, which is unfortunate.  However, I was offered as foam based steroid for my scalp and the dermatologist said to just rub the tiniest wipe, in my ears - literally next to nothing.  It's pretty much gone now and I dab a bit on once a month, if I feel any itching.  I was prescribed Clarelux cutaneous foam (Clobetasol propionate).  I hope this might be of help to someone, as I know what you are going through!

[theflyingbaron]

Sad to say that I have had the same problem.  Started off as mild itching in one ear, and then the other.  Took time to really develop and the doctors dismissed it as eczema.  It then developed to produce a clear liquid that STANK and lumps of flaking skin.  I was given steroid creams but I was also diagnosed with Lichen Planus on my gums and later my scalp.  This led to a decent amount of alopecia on my scalp, which is unfortunate.  However, I was offered as foam based steroid for my scalp and the dermatologist said to just rub the tiniest wipe, in my ears - literally next to nothing.  It's pretty much gone now and I dab a bit on once a month, if I feel any itching.  I was prescribed Clarelux cutaneous foam (Clobetasol propionate).  I hope this might be of help to someone, as I know what you are going through!

[theflyingbaron]

Sad to say that I have had the same problem.  Started off as mild itching in one ear, and then the other.  Took time to really develop and the doctors dismissed it as eczema.  It then developed to produce a clear liquid that STANK and lumps of flaking skin.  I was given steroid creams but I was also diagnosed with Lichen Planus on my gums and later my scalp.  This led to a decent amount of alopecia on my scalp, which is unfortunate.  However, I was offered as foam based steroid for my scalp and the dermatologist said to just rub the tiniest wipe, in my ears - literally next to nothing.  It's pretty much gone now and I dab a bit on once a month, if I feel any itching.  I was prescribed Clarelux cutaneous foam (Clobetasol propionate).  I hope this might be of help to someone, as I know what you are going through!

[SheyBlaze]

I actually stumbled upon this post because I have some lymph leaking from my ears and aside from bandaids and gauze, I was wondering how others dealt with it. It's incredibly annoying to feel it leaking. I know this post is a year old, but I thought I'd answer anyway. I am a nurse, halfway through a biochemistry degree, on my way to medical school - so I do have medical knowledge. The fluid leaking from your ears is just lymph. Don't worry. Unless you recently had severe trauma to your skull, such as being in a car accident or falling off a fall ladder, it's extremely unlikely it's cerebrospinal fluid, as that generally only leaks through the ear canal after a skull fracture. When you pick scabs, especially repeatedly, lymph (with or without blood) will leak. This is a sticky, clear thick fluid. Your body is trying to tell you to stop itching and picking because it's trying to heal. If you find that the fluid is yellow or green, and especially if it starts to smell, you've infected your ear and you need to see a doctor.

[Happyinlife]

Hi I have just developed this problem a month ago and I found something that took it away.  You can email me at ***@**** and I will tell you what helped me:)

[Happyinlife]

Hi I have just developed this problem a month ago and I found something that it away, I put essential oils lavender, frankincense, roman camomile, and Melissa on and then after about 5 I put on on Vaseline or bag balm.