Introduction – What is ear eczema?
An ear eczema is an inflammation of the skin of the auricles. Eczema manifests itself through reddish spots, which are usually associated with severe itching. Eczema represents the largest percentage of skin diseases.
They account for 30 to 40%. The term is a collective term for inflammatory, usually itchy, non-infectious skin diseases. If the eczema affects not only the auricle but also the external auditory canal, one speaks of otitis externa diffusa. Symptomatically, eczema of the ear is very similar to an inflammation of the outer ear (otitis externa).
Symptoms of eczema in the ear
Typical changes that occur with eczema in the ear are a reddening of the auricle and other skin changes of the ears. Often these are blistering. Often there is a strong itching, which is most unpleasant for the patients.
Some patients also experience pain in the ear and a burning sensation. Sometimes there can also be a manifestation with fever. If this is the case, a doctor should always be consulted for treatment.
Depending on the course of the disease, the skin may be moist and weeping or dry and flaky. In the weeping form, there is often a painful swelling of the external auditory canal with accompanying greasy secretion. Eczema is often accompanied by an increased production activity of the sebaceous glands. One speaks then of a seborrhoic eczema, which can be weeping or dry.
Course of eczema
Eczema is divided into acute and chronic eczema according to its course. Acute eczema is characterized by severe itching, accompanied by redness and blistering. The eczema often weeps and then becomes slightly encrusted.
Chronic eczema, on the other hand, is rather dry and the skin is scaly and horny. Chronic eczema is also accompanied by itching. Due to the chronic course, the skin thickens, becomes cracked and rough. Sometimes the inflammation can spread to the auditory canal or from the auditory canal to the auricle.
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