From healthline.com
Psoriasis is a relatively common, chronic skin condition. It can be found in both children and adults, although it’s most commonly diagnosed in early adulthood.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes the skin’s life cycle to accelerate. Dead skin cells rapidly accumulate, creating rough, dry, red patches or scales that can itch or hurt. An estimated 7.55 million
Pain or itching on the skin around your ear might indicate psoriasis. If this is the case, you might notice a build-up of skin scales or wax in the external area of your ear. This can make hearing difficult.
According to a 1992 study, approximately 18 percent of people diagnosed with psoriasis will end up with patches of affected skin on or near their ears.
Your psoriasis symptoms might include:
- small or large areas of irritated skin that won’t heal
- dry or cracked skin that bleeds
- temporary hearing loss from blocked ears
You may also have nails with pits or ridges and joints that feel swollen or rigid, a symptom of psoriatic arthritis.
It’s common for psoriasis in the ear to spread to the face. You might notice it around your eyes, mouth, and nose. A small number of people may even find psoriasis on their gums, tongue, or the inside of their cheeks and lips.
After an initial consultation with a primary doctor, you may be referred to a dermatologist for treatment.
There are several methods for treating psoriasis in the ear. Some treatment options may be better suited for you than others. Talk with a doctor about treatment and consider your symptoms’ severity and any medication allergies you may have.
Natural treatments
There’s no cure for psoriasis, but at-home treatments can help you manage your ear psoriasis.
You can try the following two-step process for using a natural oil for psoriasis:
- Using an over-the-counter (OTC) ear cleansing kit, squirt a small amount of warm distilled water into your ear.
- Follow this up by applying a thin layer of jojoba oil to external areas with a cotton ball.
Evidence suggests herbal medications, when used with traditional therapies, are more effective at treating psoriasis than traditional medicines alone. Extracts from the mahonia bush (Mahonia aquifolium), aloe vera, and indigo naturalis are ingredients regularly used in holistic psoriasis ointments.
Manual extraction
Doctors can use a small tool for impacted ear canals to remove the excess skin blocking your hearing.
Never insert anything into your ear at home. You could damage your eardrum and risk hearing loss.
Topical medications
Various nonsteroidal medications can be applied to the skin for more mild forms of psoriasis. Calcipotriol (Dovonex) or a combination of betamethasone and calcipotriene (Taclonex) is often used on the ear.
These medications work by slowing skin growth and flattening existing lesions. They also provide pain and itch relief. It’s important to note that while medications can provide relief of psoriasis symptoms, side effects such as headaches are a common result of many autoimmune suppressing drugs.
Steroids
Your doctor might prescribe a liquefied steroid formula (such as a Lidex solution) to be dripped into your ear canal. This medication can also be applied to the outer skin, depending on the location of the affected area.
A steroid is frequently used in combination with other medications for enhanced effectiveness.
Though it’s not very common, children and infants can develop psoriasis. The skin condition generally tends to be less severe in children.
Most children with psoriasis will develop a few patches that may be easily addressed with treatment.
But mild symptoms aren’t always the case. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above developing around your child’s ear and scalp area, visit their paediatrician for guidance.
Psoriasis is a chronic condition. You can find relief with the treatments listed above.
Over time, you may notice that your skin responds adversely to different triggers.
Triggers may include:
- alcohol
- sunburns
- cold or dry weather
- stress
- medications
- infections
- scratches or cuts
Consider keeping a written log to determine which triggers make your skin flare-up. Discuss them with a doctor.
Left untreated, psoriasis of the ear can lead to temporary hearing loss and become increasingly uncomfortable. Visit a doctor or dermatologist to start your path to relief.
Q: What is the difference between psoriasis and eczema?
A: Psoriasis is a skin disease that occurs when cells in the outer layer of skin reproduce faster than usual and pile up on the skin’s surface. This produces scaling and irritation of the skin. Psoriasis isn’t contagious.
Eczema is more of a general term. It encompasses various inflamed skin conditions. One of the most common forms of eczema is atopic dermatitis (or “atopic eczema”). Approximately 10 to 20 percent of the world’s population is affected by this chronic, relapsing, and very itchy rash during childhood. Many children with eczema find that the disease clears and disappears with age.
Dr. Steve KimAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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