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Eczema of the auricle and external auditory canal: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Causes of the eczema of the ear
The causes of eczema are extremely diverse. They are divided into general and local. The general include neurogenic and psychogenic factors, an allergy to certain substances, diseases of internal organs and the endocrine system. For local reasons, contact may be made with some irritating agents, infection of the skin when it is scarified, worn while wearing work clothes, the outflow of purulent contents from the ear, and so on.
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Symptoms of the eczema of the ear
Eczema of the auricle and external auditory canal arises sharply, then takes a chronic course with a tendency to relapse. Distinguish the following forms of eczema : true, professional, microbial and seborrhoeic.
True eczema in an acute period is characterized by a rash on the erythematous, slightly edematous skin of the microvesicles, which, when opened quickly, form a large number of small point erosions with drops of serous exudate (a symptom of "dew"), acute, wet eczema. Some of the vesicles dry up without opening up, they form crusts, at the same time new bubbles appear. Thus, eczema is characterized by the polymorphism of the rashes, when on the surface of the affected area of the skin are all its pathomorphological elements - erythema, vesicles, erosion, crusts and scales.
Professional (contact) eczema is often observed with increased sensitivity to various substances that occur in the workplace. This usually affects the skin of the face, the rear of the hands, etc.
Microbial eczema develops as a result of irritation and secondary eczematism of superficial pyoderma, purulent discharge from the ear or nose, and so on. The transition of the acute form into a chronic form is characterized by a significant decrease in skin hyperemia, the appearance of normalization on the affected areas, but the eczematous process itself continues in a more sluggish form of the flow.
The abortive form of eczema is eczematid, characterized by multiple, rarely single, itchy erythematous scaly patches of oval and round contours of varying size. When they are irritated, droplet dripping occurs. These rashes can occur after angina, acute respiratory and intestinal diseases, influenza.
Children suffering from exudative catarrhal diathesis often develop eczema with the most frequent localization in the face, scalp and is accompanied by severe exudation and severe itching.
Where does it hurt?
Complications and consequences
Infection of foci of eczema with pyogenic microorganisms in combs, especially often in children, which can pass into impetigo. Infestation with an introduced staphylococcus can lead to local or widespread furunculosis. The consequences of eczema of the external ear canal during infection can lead to stricture or atresia of the ear canal.
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How to examine?
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Treatment of the eczema of the ear
Treatment is divided into general and local, and in some cases, especially with neurogenic forms, general treatment can play a decisive role.
General treatment
Includes the appointment of sedatives, intravenous infusion of 10% calcium chloride solution , 30% sodium thiosulfate solution , etc., multivitamins, especially ascorbic acid, vitamin P preparations (rutin, askorutin, quercetin, etc.), Aevit, nicotinic acid, vitamins group B. In some cases in complex general treatment a good effect is given by antiallergic drugs.
Local treatment
When eczema of the external auditory canal in an acute period it is washed with a solution of furacilin 1: 1000, 1% resorcinol solution, etc. To reduce exudation, prevent secondary infection and form epidermal plugs. Then, after drying of the eczematized products of the ear canal cleared from all sorts of skin, its skin is unintentionally treated with a 2% solution of silver nitrate, and then it is loosely plugged with dry ear auricles for 24 hours. The procedure is repeated 2-3 days, then ointments and pastes are applied with corticoid preparations.
When eczema of the auricle in an acute period, in the presence of sharp moknutiya and edema, cold, often replaceable lotions or moist drying bandages with astringent solutions (lead water, 1% resorcinol solution, etc.) are shown; in the subacute period, with insignificant wetting and predominance of peeling, - naphthalanic or ichthyol (2-5%) pastes and ointments, as well as creams with corticosteroids.
In the chronic course of the process and the presence of severe infiltration of affected areas of the skin, keratoplastic agents are used (tar preparations, naphthalan paste in gradually increasing concentration - from 2-5 to 10-25%). Pay attention to the neurological and psychoemotional status of the patient with the correction of possible neurotic conditions, it is important to follow a diet with eczema. It is important to eliminate the causes of eczema (focal infection, tobacco smoking, excessive use of alcoholic beverages, the impact of allergic factors and production - chemical and radiation - hazards).
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Forecast
The prognosis for life is favorable, with respect to recovery depends on the possibility of eliminating the causes that cause changes in the reactivity of the skin and the disturbance of its homeostatic and protective properties.
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