Causes of eczema in the ear | Eczema in the ear

Causes of eczema in the ear

A distinction is made between exogenous eczema, which is caused by external influences, so-called contact eczema, and endogenous eczema, which is caused by internal, body-derived influxes. Contact eczema is further divided into allergic contact eczema, which is caused by certain foods or metals, for example, and non-allergic contact eczema, which is caused by chemicals such as skin-aggressive cleaning agents or cosmetics. Most often, allergies to ear jewelry, cosmetics, soaps or shampoos are responsible for ear eczema.

If it is an endogenous eczema, these patients have a genetic predisposition for it. Ten percent of the population have this genetic predisposition. The most common type of endogenous eczema is atopic eczema, better known as neurodermatitis.

If one parent has atopic eczema, there is a 30% probability that children will also suffer from atopic eczema. If both parents are affected, the probability of the child getting the disease is 60%. On the basis of the causes, it can be seen that eczema of the auricle is not infectious, i.e. it is not caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Since the skin is damaged by the inflammation and often cracks, bacteria or other pathogens can easily penetrate the damaged skin areas despite the non-infectious genesis. In some cases they can even penetrate to the cartilage and lead to complications (see Complications).

Complications

If bacteria colonize the inflamed area, it can lead to perichondritis. The causing bacteria are usually staphylococci. In perichondritis, the inflammation spreads to the cartilage so that cartilage-free areas such as the earlobe are not affected.

If this infection is not treated, the cartilage is destroyed and a permanent deformation of the auricle occurs. In addition to perichondritis, a complication of the ear eczema can also lead to erysipelas. As a rule, erysipelas is caused by streptococci (bacteria). The bacteria spread to the subcutis of the auricle and its surroundings. Since in this case the cartilage is not affected as in perichondritis, the inflammation can also spread to the earlobes and adjacent facial area.