Dandruff in the ears: why does it appear, how to treat?

Everyone knows about dandruff on the head, most people have experienced this misfortune, as they say, on their own skin. However, skin cells peel and flake off all over the body, so white flakes can appear everywhere. Ears are one of the favorite locations for flaking. With hair, everything is more or less clear. But how to deal with dandruff in the ears?

Epidemiology

According to various data, 20% to a third of humanity suffers from dandruff. The statistics include children aged 12 and over. Dandruff is especially common among those in the process of puberty.

• Even completely healthy people who take care of their appearance are not immune to this unpleasant phenomenon and cosmetic defect.

At the same time, there is much less data on dandruff in the ears. What is known is that there is a genetic predisposition and that the likelihood of ear dandruff is significantly higher in those whose parents had similar problems.

Statistics claim that the presence of dandruff does not depend on the amount and color of hair or skin. True, on light hair, "snowflakes" are less noticeable. It has also been calculated that dandruff occurs more often in men than in the female part of the population.

Causes ear dandruff

A competent doctor carries out treatment in such a way as to eliminate not only dandruff in the ears, but also all the reasons for its recurrence. The list of reasons for which ear dandruff is formed takes up more than one line.

• One of the most common is ignoring personal hygiene, as well as soap or shampoo not matching your skin and hair type.

An imbalance in the diet, especially a deficiency of important vitamins and microelements, metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalances in teenagers and pregnant women also have a negative effect on the skin.

Dandruff in the ears can signal an allergic reaction - to mites living in pillows, cosmetics, household chemicals, jewelry. People with a congenital predisposition are especially susceptible to allergies. Flaking can be a consequence of diseases of the digestive organs and liver.

Sometimes the ears become a place of localization of boils, which provoke peeling and dandruff; it can also appear with inflammation of the middle ear. Excessive dryness of the skin can also be the cause.

Of course, dandruff, even in such a delicate place, does not pose a threat to health. However, the nasty-looking scaly accumulations not only spoil the mood, but can also lead to the formation of earwax plugs. And plugs impair hearing, cause tinnitus and general discomfort.

Why does dandruff form in the ears?

The reasons why dandruff forms in the ears can only be determined by a doctor - after collecting anamnesis and examining the patient. If its appearance is caused by some disease, then the person is referred to a specific specialist. The patient himself may be mistaken and not understand the reasons for the unpleasant phenomenon. Moreover, it is difficult to see the full picture: let's remember the well-known proverb about ears and a mirror. Therefore, self-treatment of dandruff in the ears is prohibited.

• The causes of dandruff are different, sometimes conditions favorable for dandruff are created by a complex of reasons. Often, a scattering of scales in the ear is a logical "continuation" of dandruff on the head.

Dandruff is formed as a result of using the wrong shampoo, poor-quality cosmetics that provoke allergies, an unhealthy lifestyle: stress, physical inactivity, consumption of harmful products and drinks. Too fatty food, an abundance of sweets in the diet have a very bad effect on the skin. The auricles can also suffer.

Dandruff accompanies various pathological conditions of the skin: fungal infections (Malassezia spp), [ 1 ], [ 2 ] seborrheic dermatitis, dry eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, inflammation, furunculosis; can be a consequence of endocrine, digestive and nervous disorders. In complex cases, consultation with several specialists may be necessary to establish a diagnosis and clarify the causes. [ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Risk factors

If there is a history of dandruff in the ears, then under favorable conditions it can reappear. The risk group includes people who use hearing aids. To prevent this unpleasant phenomenon, you should regularly treat the device and put special drops in your ears.

• One of the risk factors is the popular cotton swabs.

Otolaryngologists warn that the sticks destroy the epithelium and natural lubrication that forms in the ear canals. And this, in turn, creates a favorable environment for the appearance of dandruff flakes.

Cold promotes dandruff, which requires protection with hats, as well as water; to prevent liquid from getting into the ears during water procedures, use a bathing cap. If inflammation occurs in or near the ear, it must be treated immediately and effectively. Otherwise, peeling in this area is inevitable. And untreated dandruff is fraught with mycosis, in which the fungus penetrates into deeper tissues.

• Untidy people, as well as those who like to use other people's accessories (headphones, earplugs), are at great risk.

At risk are workaholics and perfectionists who ignore rest and timely nutrition, and are also subject to constant stress. A balanced diet, alternating work and active leisure, sufficient amounts of quality drinks - these simple measures strengthen the body and gradually remove it from the risk zone.

Pathogenesis

It is believed that the pathogenesis of dandruff is associated with high sensitivity of the human immune system to certain types of fungi. However, despite the fungal nature of dandruff in the ears, it is not contagious. After all, such fungi are present in all people, including absolutely healthy ones.

• Dandruff is formed when the sebaceous glands that produce sebum are overactive. That is why it has taken a liking to places where sebaceous glands are concentrated.

The head, ear canals - these are the areas. When the process is activated, colonies of fungal microorganisms that feed on this product grow faster, accumulate and form characteristic dandruff peeling.

There is also dry dandruff, which occurs when the sebaceous glands are underactive. In this case, the process of exfoliation of dead cells is also disrupted, the skin feels tight, irritated, and itchy. When combing the head, dry "snowflakes" fall on clothes.

Ear dandruff looks like crusts in the ear canal and may seem like a local problem. However, treatment should be done not only locally, but also for the entire body. This should be done immediately to prevent complications, including hearing loss.

Symptoms ear dandruff

Often, dandruff in the ears is confused with ordinary roughness of the skin. It happens that it is difficult to distinguish these pathologies visually, only by symptoms. In such cases, you need to seek qualified help - a dermatologist or trichologist. They probably know that seborrheic scales are localized primarily where there is hair: on the eyebrows, head, in the ear.

If we talk about the symptoms, then for dandruff they are as follows.

• Usually, not only the ear canal and auricle are affected, but also the area of skin behind the ear. The fungus can spread to the earlobe and even to the eardrum.
• Dandruff appears as white or yellowish flakes.
• The scale exceeds the usual flaking and causes itching.
• It itches and burns constantly or periodically.
• There is a feeling of dryness in the ear, as if there is a foreign body, and the surface in the affected area turns red.
• With otitis, the ear becomes blocked and hearing is impaired.

Symptoms vary depending on the causes and type of seborrhea. With oily seborrhea, there is greasiness, the scales seem to be covered with an oily film. Dead flakes are dense and thick, yellowish in color.

These are just the main symptoms. If peeling is associated with other diseases, their list can be significantly expanded. To clarify the diagnosis, a smear from the ear canal is examined for the presence of otomycosis.

Dandruff is not considered a disease, but a symptom of various diseases. If increased dryness, itching and redness begin in the problem area, then we can talk about the first signs of the disease. The skin is irritated by substances that are formed due to the activity of fungi that live on the hairy areas of the skin. Microorganisms break down fats, and some people are especially sensitive to the products of their vital activity.

Dandruff in the ears can also be accompanied by pain, partial loss of hearing. With such symptoms, you should immediately contact an otolaryngologist who will determine the cause or refer you to another specialist.

Dandruff forms on the ear for the same reasons as on the head. It covers the auditory canal, the auricle, and the area of skin behind the ear. Later, the scales peel off, flake, and constantly fall onto clothing.

• With oily dandruff, the skin shines due to increased sebum secretion, which forms a film and clogs the pores.
• In the dry form, fine dandruff is formed, and the disease can be accompanied by various infections.
• In the mixed form, the symptoms of both types are combined, which complicates the treatment of the pathology.

Itching is present in all forms of the disease. The symptoms can be eliminated with medications after the cause has been eliminated.

Stages

Peeling of the skin caused by various reasons is not an infectious disease. Although it is caused by a conditionally pathogenic yeast-like fungus. Why? Because this fungus lives on the skin not only in case of illness, but in every healthy person. For vital activity, the microorganism needs fatty acids, which are present in sebum. When secretion fails, the fungi become active, their number progresses, which leads to inflammation, itching and peeling.

• If the process affects the ear area, then dandruff in the ears is formed.

Symptoms develop gradually; at first they are almost invisible, especially in the dry form. Few people immediately run to the doctor: usually they start using anti-dandruff shampoos or medicinal herbs. Sometimes this helps. But alarm bells cannot be ignored. It is important to remember the following:

• Treating advanced dandruff is much more difficult, so it is better to go to the clinic at the initial stage of the disease.

It should be borne in mind that dandruff can disappear and reappear, even if it is treated. Or it can develop into psoriasis, when the ears swell and turn pink. Then the aesthetic problem becomes a medical one.

Forms

Dandruff, or oily seborrhea, is of two types: dry and oily. According to another classification, doctors distinguish a third, mixed type. The differences between them are visible visually. The type of dandruff is directly related to the type of skin. The localization of the problem is as follows: auricles, passages, area behind the ears.

• With dry dandruff in the ear, the produced sebum is retained in the thickness of the skin, due to clogged pores, so signs of dryness appear on the surface. When the scales are mechanically removed, the skin turns red and becomes inflamed.
• Oily dandruff is formed with increased secretion of sebum. The process is accompanied by an unpleasant odor. Flakes acquire a yellowish tone. Often accompanied by acne, especially on men's skin. The oily type is divided by consistency - into thick and liquid.
• Mixed dandruff typically has several foci of varying oiliness. For example, white spots are observed on the face and ears, and yellowish scales are observed on the eyebrows and braids.

Itching bothers the patient with any type of dandruff, so it is something that needs to be eliminated first and foremost.

Dandruff of any kind should be eliminated by all suitable means. If this is not done, the problem worsens and becomes more complicated. The choice of drugs largely depends on the underlying cause of the pathological condition. In case of an allergic nature, antihistamines are required, in case of hormonal imbalance - corticosteroids. But the main means are antifungal, with anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, soothing effects.

Complications and consequences

Ignoring dandruff in the ears or treating it incorrectly is a clear health hazard. Self-medication can cause the same harm. The consequences and complications of such actions are as follows:

• deep mycosis: lesions of the oral mucosa, lymph nodes, liver;
• sepsis;
• infection of the affected area;
• perforation of the eardrum;
• destruction of the auditory elements of the middle ear.

Deep mycosis is especially dangerous, as there is no complete cure. The risk of relapse exists throughout life, and with a weak immune system, the most severe health consequences are possible.

Diagnostics ear dandruff

The effectiveness of treatment directly depends on the correct diagnosis. During the visit, the patient should tell the doctor about everything that worries him, answer additional questions. After examination, an otolaryngologist or dermatologist prescribes laboratory tests.

• To clarify the diagnosis, a smear is taken from the ear canal, the results of which will confirm or refute the infectious nature of dandruff in the ear.

If metabolic problems are suspected, the following tests are prescribed: blood tests - general and biochemical, urine tests for sugar. If diabetes or another endocrine disease is present in the anamnesis, then a hormonal background test is required for diagnosis. If necessary, the patient is consulted by specialized specialists. After diagnosis, the doctor prescribes an individual course of treatment. [ 5 ]

Tests

To make a diagnosis, in addition to an examination, doctors need to conduct several tests. Which ones exactly - depends on the cause of dandruff in the ears. The tests are as follows:

• ear swab to check for infection;
• skin scraping for fungus;
• general blood test;
• urine sugar test;
• biochemical blood test;
• Hormonal background study.

Instrumental diagnostics

To diagnose dandruff in the ear, the ENT doctor must carefully examine and inspect the auricle, canal and adjacent area. Instrumental diagnostics are indispensable.

• The instruments are necessary both for diagnosis and for carrying out treatment procedures.

Endoscopic examination devices are always used: concave mirrors, ear funnels, forehead reflectors, without which the traditional image of an otolaryngologist would be incomplete. The "gentleman's set" of an ENT specialist includes ear tweezers, syringes for washing, probes, rubber balloons for blowing.

Differential diagnosis

When diagnosing dandruff in the ear, similar problems should be excluded:

• peeling;
• psoriasis;
• irritations;
• allergies.

Differential diagnostics take into account that dandruff is accompanied by itching, while normal flaking is not. Dandruff is a fungal disease, and flaking is associated with dryness and the natural death of skin cells. For differentiation, a skin scraping is taken, sometimes a biopsy.

Treatment ear dandruff

You can get rid of dandruff in your ears in various ways – both pharmaceutical and folk remedies. Hygienic procedures play an important role: washing with baby soap and a sponge, rinsing with warm water, cleaning the ear canals with a cotton swab. After water procedures, the ears must be thoroughly dried with a napkin and moisturized with cream. If dandruff does not disappear after such manipulations, you must visit a doctor.

• Incorrect manipulations can damage the eardrum.

Treatment begins after diagnosis and determination of the cause. It should be comprehensive and include, in addition to local manipulations, proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. If the problem is ignored, it tends to spread and cause complications. In particular, mycosis can develop in the ears, penetrating into the deep tissues of the body. [ 6 ]

The following medications are used to eliminate dandruff:

• products containing tar (Friderm, Sebuton);
• Octopyrex, Zinc Pyrithione, Salicylic Acid;
• Ketoconazole, Nizoral, Clotrimazole;
• creams and shampoos against dandruff and fungi;
• selenium sulfide (Sulsena);
• lotions with vitamins;
• antibiotics.

Traditional medicine offers no less effective recipes. The main ones attract attention:

• turundas with vegetable oil, chamomile infusion, novocaine;
• oil and garlic-oil masks for wiping the ears;
• exfoliation of calluses with bread gruel.

To prevent dandruff, you should maintain hygiene, use personal accessories, do not clean your hearing organs with cotton swabs, protect from water, especially chlorinated water, and from the cold. Treat otitis, boils and other diseases of the ear area in a timely manner.

Medicines

Most folk remedies eliminate the symptoms of the pathological process. Qualified doctors prescribe not only local remedies, but also those that eliminate the cause of dandruff in the ears. They also give recommendations for preventing relapse.

• Complex therapy should last two months. Drops, creams, ointments are applied externally.

Effective preparations contain ketoconazole, ciclopirox, zinc, salicylic acid, selenium disulfide, tar. The need for other active components depends on the factors causing dandruff. These may be corticosteroids, antihistamines, antifungal substances.

1. Sofradex drops. Relieve itching, inflammation, swelling, fight pathogenic microorganisms. The solution is instilled into the ear or a soaked gauze swab is placed in the passage. Apply for a week.
2. Ointment (or aerosol) Geocorton. Apply a thin layer to the affected area several times a day. Acts as an antimicrobial agent. In case of intolerance to the components of the ointment, spray the aerosol from a distance of up to 20 cm. The duration of the course is individual.
3. Sulsen paste. Dries, eliminates inflammation and scales. The mass is applied to the skin and hair washed with a medicinal shampoo. 2% preparation is medicinal, 1% is prophylactic.
4. Nizoral 2% cream contains ketoconazole, acts against fungi in seborrheic dermatitis. Apply to the affected area 1-2 times a day, depending on the severity of the infection. The course lasts several weeks.

All preparations may contain components that the body of some patients cannot tolerate. Allergic reactions, burning sensation and discomfort are possible. In such cases, analogues or alternative means are sought. The main precautions are to apply externally, according to the instructions, avoiding accidental ingestion.

The listed drugs are offered for review. The use of specific drugs must be agreed with the doctor.

Ointments for dandruff in the ears

Dermatitis can develop against the background of dry or oily seborrhea. Both patients and doctors, as a rule, prefer simple but effective ointments for dandruff in the ears. Their task is to relieve inflammation and destroy the fungus in the affected areas: the ear canal, auricle, and the area behind the ear. Also required are drugs with antipruritic and soothing effects. If the cause is hormonal imbalance, then drugs for dandruff in the ears with corticosteroids are prescribed

• If an allergy is suspected, antihistamines are needed.

At the initial stages of dandruff in the ears, zinc ointment is prescribed. It is an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory drug. It dries the epidermis very much, so it is applied to a dry surface mixed with a base oil (peach, sunflower, olive).

In case of damage to the auditory canal, "Sofradex", "Garazon", "Betagenot", "Tobrazon" are recommended. The skin of the auricle and the area behind the ear is treated with "Soderm" ointment at early stages. It eliminates itching and stops the progression of the process. Salicylic, retinoic, tar ointments are effective.

• Traditional medicine has its own secrets of treatment.

A popular plant for dandruff is the natural antibiotic elecampane, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous properties. Ointments according to old recipes are prepared independently, based on pork or goose fat. 10 g of plant material is mixed with 50 g of fat and left to infuse for a week in a place protected from daylight. Store the ointment in the refrigerator, apply to the ears two or three times a day.

Physiotherapy treatment

Among anti-dandruff methods, physiotherapeutic procedures attract attention. They are used to improve local blood circulation, normalize sebum secretion and metabolism.

• Dandruff on the scalp is treated with cryomassage, darsonval, ozone, UV rays, laser, and mesotherapy.

The procedures are carried out under constant supervision of a doctor, in combination with other prescriptions. Perhaps the doctor will prescribe physiotherapy for dandruff in the ears. The procedures relieve inflammation, contribute to the fastest elimination, including the most severe forms of the disease.

Herbal treatment

One of the simplest folk recipes is a regular chamomile infusion. At home, it is prepared from dried flowers bought at a pharmacy or prepared independently. A handful of raw materials is poured with 200 ml of boiling water and infused with 20 ml. To soften dandruff in the ears, you can add drops of olive or sunflower oil. Cotton sponges soaked in liquid are inserted into places where there is peeling - both in the passages and behind the ears. Hold for 15 minutes.

Other medicinal plants common in our lands also have therapeutic properties against dandruff:

• nettle;
• calendula;
• oak bark;
• celandine;
• sage;
• yarrow;
• plantain;
• lavender.

The preparations are prepared according to the same recipe as chamomile infusion, applied locally, in the form of compresses, or lotions, as they are popularly called. A sponge made of cotton wool or gauze, soaked in herbal decoction, is applied to the problem area for 5-7 minutes. The frequency of the procedure depends on the stage of development. At the first symptoms, two or three compresses per day are enough, as the pathology progresses - at least five.

Medicinal herbs also show activity in other preparations – for example, elecampane is a component of a homemade ointment for ear dandruff. Its healing power can be judged by the fact that the plant is called the “younger brother” of the magical ginseng.

Prevention

The correct technique, pharmacy and folk remedies can eliminate not only the symptoms, but also the causes. If dandruff in the ears has been eliminated, it is important to prevent a relapse. The main points in prevention are to monitor health, personal hygiene and lifestyle. An important role is given to the way of eating. A healthy diet is recommended, which is useful not only for the skin, but also for the whole body.

Preventive measures against dandruff include the following points:

• regularly wash your hair and body with suitable detergents;
• if your doctor recommends it, use a special dermatological shampoo or tar soap;
• use only your own personal hygiene items;
• keep ear canals clean;
• eat healthy, vitamin-rich foods;
• if seborrhea is diagnosed, change headphones, jewelry, hearing aid;
• take a separate complex with minerals: zinc, magnesium, selenium;
• exclude fatty, high-calorie, flour-based, smoked foods from your diet;
• add vegetable dishes to the menu, drink more still water;
• protect your ears from seasonal cold by wearing hats made from natural fabrics;
• alternate work with active rest
• give up smoking and drinking alcohol.

Forecast

Although the prognosis is favorable, the disease can still cause a lot of unpleasant moments and discomfort. Therefore, self-medication is inappropriate; dandruff in the ears should be treated only by specialized specialists - ENT doctors and dermatologists.

Clean, smooth skin is one of the conditions for a beautiful appearance. It is possible to protect yourself from inflammation, peeling, dandruff in the ears and hair by maintaining personal hygiene and a healthy lifestyle. If you have alarming symptoms, you should visit your family doctor or a specialist. Responsible actions of the patient and the correct treatment method ensure complete elimination of dandruff and protection from relapse.