Can ear eczema spread to face ?
EAR ECZEMA :
Ear eczema (atopic dermatitis ) is a condition that causes your skin to become dry, discolored, itchy and bumpy. It may appear on the outside of your ear or inside your ear canal.
Eczema damages the skin barrier function (the “glue” of your skin). As a result, your skin becomes more sensitive and more prone to infection and dryness. There are different types of dermatitis, which means inflammation of the skin. Atopic dermatitis is more common in babies and children but can occur in adults.
Eczema can be embarrassing and make people self-conscious, but it is very common. About 15 - 30% of children and 2–10% of adults will get atopic dermatitis in their lifetime, and 60% of cases will develop in the first year of life. Other eczema types may be more or less prevalent. People should speak with their doctor when they first notice ear eczema for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Eczema, aka atopic dermatitis, can appear nearly anywhere on the body. People with atopic dermatitis are more sensitive to products on their skin and can manifest eczema in many places, even on the ears.
Contact dermatitis looks just like like atopic dermatitis, but this is technically due to an external cause such as an irritant or an allergic substance (i.e. earrings). Ear eczema is sometimes used interchangeably to refer to an eczema-like rash on the ears, even if it’s not always true atopic dermatitis (eczema) on the ears. In this article, we use it in a general sense and not specifically to refer to only atopic dermatitis.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF EAR ECZEMA ?
Ear eczema causes symptoms similar to those of eczema on other parts of the body. People with ear eczema may experience :
- dry, scaly skin around the ear
- dry, scaly skin inside the ear canal
- redness and swelling
- itchiness in or around the ear canal
The symptoms of ear eczema can also affect the area behind the ear. the symptoms of eczema will be mild to moderate. However, in some cases, the itching can become intense and lead to the following:
- red, swollen, or dark skin
- areas of very dry, sensitive skin
- scaly patches that may be rough or leathery
- oozing, bleeding, or crusting areas of inflamed skin
- infected skin in the ear canal
The cause of ear eczema depends on what type of eczema it is. There are three types of eczema that can affect your ears, which include:
Allergic eczema
Allergic eczema results from contact with an irritant or something you’re allergic to.Common irritants that can cause ear eczema include:
hair product
earrings
cellphones
headphones
makeup
other personal care products
Asteatotic eczema
Older people are more likely to have this type of eczema, which happens when your skin is exposed to changes in the weather. Several factors can make it worse, including overwashing, indoor heating, and windy conditions.
Seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis tends to happen to oily areas of your body, including your scalp. It can also affect your ears, especially the skin behind them. Doctors aren’t sure what causes it, but it could be related to a fungus in the oil secreted by the glands in your skin or an immune system response.
HOW TO TREAT EAR ECZEMA ?
Treating ear eczema depends on both the underlying cause and area it affects. If you have allergic eczema, you might need to stop using certain products or wearing earrings, to narrow down what’s causing the irritation. If you still can’t figure out what’s causing it, you may need to undergo allergy testing .
the skin behind your ear is affected. If you have symptoms in your external ear canal, your doctor can prescribe steroiear drops .
It’s important to keep the area moisurized regardless of the type of eczema you have. Avoid using harsh soaps and cleansers around your ears, which can dry out your skin and make your symptoms worse.
Instead, look for a gentle cleanser. Then follow up with a moisturizer that contains colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal is a natural anti-inflammatory with proven benefits for protecting and soothing dry, irritated skin.
Try to stick with products that have the seal of acceptance by the National Eczema Association. These products have been evaluated to ensure they don’t contain any known skin irritants, which can make eczema worse. Regardless of the products you choose, make sure you don’t use any long objects, like a cotton swab, to apply them to the inside of your ear.
You should only use ear drops for eczema in your ear canal.
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