Understanding Ear Eczema: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Have you ever had an itch you couldn’t reach inside your ear? Eczema in the ear canal is a common skin condition that can lead to itching and flaking. It’s not a dangerous condition, but the itch can be hard to reach and treat. Knowing how it happens and what you can do about it can help you manage your next ear eczema flare-up. 

What is ear eczema?

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic condition of the skin. It can happen anywhere on the skin, including in or on your ears. Eczema causes your skin to be itchy, red, flaky, and dry. In some cases, the skin can be bumpy and discolored. Over time, inflammation can cause the skin to thicken and become leathery. 

Eczema happens in about 1 out of 10 adults worldwide. Eczema is much more common in children. It’s estimated that about 15% of children around the world have the condition. 

What causes eczema in the ear canal?

There are a number of things that might cause eczema in the ear canal. One factor is a breakdown in the skin’s protective layers. When the skin’s defenses are down, it loses water more easily and doesn’t retain enough moisture. This can also allow irritants to get in the skin more easily. 

This breakdown can have genetic causes, or it can be triggered by your environment. 

Environmental triggers for eczema include:

• Weather changes

• Stress

• Contact with chemicals or other harsh irritants

• Allergens

• Clothes made from scratchy materials such as wool

• Excessive washing of the skin

These factors can lead to skin dryness and inflammation, which can result in an eczema rash. 

What are the symptoms of ear eczema?

The symptoms of ear eczema can be different for each person. The symptoms can also vary depending on how severe your eczema is. Here are a few common symptoms of ear eczema:

• Red, itchy, flaky skin anywhere on the ear (including on the outer ear and ear lobe, inside your ear, or behind or in front of your ear)

• Thick scale or bumps on the skin of the ear

• Tender and broken or cracked skin

• Bleeding from the skin of the ear

• Itching

• Skin weeping and pus

• Hearing changes

• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

How do you treat ear eczema?

Treatments for ear eczema are similar to those for eczema on other parts of the body. These include home remedies and prescription treatments that can be taken orally (by mouth) or safely applied with cotton swabs. Be careful not to insert cotton swabs too far inside the ear to prevent damaging the ear drum.

What are other causes of rashes in the ears?

A few other skin conditions can cause rashes in the ears. And they can sometimes look like ear eczema. Here are some other common rashes that can affect the ears.

Is ear eczema serious?

Ear eczema is usually not a serious problem. However, eczema tends to be chronic — which means there’s no cure for it. Eczema in the ears can cause embarrassment, and, in severe cases, it can affect your quality of life. If it’s scratched too much, eczema can also get a secondary bacterial infection, which may need treatment with antibiotics. 

Treatments can be helpful in clearing your skin and reducing flare-ups. Because eczema is chronic, you’ll most likely need a long-term plan to keep your skin clear. This includes: 

• Moisturizing your skin consistently 

• Avoiding things that trigger your eczema

• Getting regular treatment as needed

When to get care about ear eczema

Although ear eczema doesn’t pose a serious threat to your health in most cases, there are a few situations when you may want to get medical care. These include:

• It’s not getting better with treatment.

• You’re experiencing significant pain, or there’s yellow pus crusting or drainage.

• You have a fever.

• You’re not sure if it’s eczema or something else. 

Frequently asked questions

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Written by:

Alina Goldenberg, MD, MAS, FAAD

Alina Goldenberg, MD, MAS, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist in private practice. She is also an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

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