If your ears are dry and crusty, you may be wondering why. Knowing the underlying cause of a dry, crusty ear is key to getting proper treatment. We review some of the most common causes below.
Environmental Causes of a Dry Ear
Sometimes a dry ear is caused by factors in your environment, such as:
- Overcleaning the ear
- Fluctuations in temperature
- Allergies to soaps and body washes
- Dehydration
- Stress
- Smoking
- Swimming in a chlorinated pool such as Richards Community Pool
- Excessive sun exposure
The best way to prevent or heal a dry ear caused by one of these factors is to address the underlying problem. For immediate relief, you can apply petroleum jelly to moisturize the ears and prevent itching.
Medical Causes of a Dry Ear
In other cases, a medical issue is to blame for a dry, crusty ear. These include:
Eczema
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common condition. It mostly affects children but can affect anyone at any age. The condition is chronic with a tendency to flare up when the skin comes into contact with irritants. Eczema can affect most areas of the body, including the ears. Topical steroid creams or ear drops may be used to treat ear eczema.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes the new cells deep in your skin to rise to the surface much faster than the old skin cells can shed away. Normally, this process takes about a month, but for people with psoriasis it takes just a few days. The result is red, crusty, scaly skin. Psoriasis is treated the same way as eczema.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that typically affects the oiliest parts of the body, including the scalp, face, chest and ears. When it affects the ears, it tends to present behind them. The exact cause is not known, but it is thought to be the result of oil gland activity, yeast buildup, genetics and changes in the function of the skin barrier. For more information about the causes of a dry, crusty ear or to schedule an appointment with an ear expert, call Benjamin Liess, MD, of ENT Maine today.