Treating itchy ears

When your ear itches, it is impossible to work and rest fully. However, only a doctor can tell you how to relieve itching in the ear and prescribe effective medications after an examination, having established the cause of the discomfort.

The most common cause of itching in the ear canal is the accumulation of sulfur, associated with its hypersecretion or insufficiently effective release (cerumen plug). Currently, special drops for itching in the ears - cerumenolytics - are available for sale to dissolve them and prevent their formation. They differ in chemical composition, however, they have comparable effectiveness, which expands the choice.

A-Cerumen neo+ is available as a solution packaged in dropper bottles, the contents of which must be used up within 24 hours after opening. The drug contains surfactants (collagen hydrolysate, coco-betaine, PEG-120 methyl glucose dioleate), gently transforming accumulations of compacted and dried earwax, moisturizing and loosening its structure, but without causing swelling. The earwax plug dissolves gradually, without causing hearing disorders or disruption of the vestibular apparatus. The humidifiers and dyes included in the solution are of natural origin. The drops do not affect the functioning of the ceruminous glands. After cleaning the ear canal, the sulfur is secreted again naturally.

Side effects during use occur very rarely and are of a local irritation nature. Pregnant and lactating women can use cerumenolytics.

The duration of treatment and dosage are prescribed by the doctor. Drops are used independently only if you are completely sure that the itching in the ear is caused by a sulfur plug. If there is even the slightest doubt about the origin of the itching, suspicion of infection, perforation of the eardrum and other pathological causes, using A-Cerumen is contraindicated.

To clear the ear canal of wax accumulations, the drug is instilled into each ear in the morning and evening, after warming the dropper bottle in your hand to body temperature. Use the entire contents of the bottle, instilling half of the pre-packaged dose (1 ml) into the ear canal of each ear. It is not recommended to insert the tip deep into the ear canal.

No drug interactions with systemic drugs have been detected. When used simultaneously with other ear drops, it is necessary to maintain a time interval between instillations.

Remo-Vax drops have a similar effect. The active ingredients of the solution (phenylethanol, allantoin, benzethonium chloride, sorbic acid, butylhydroxytoluene) penetrate into the thickness of cerumen deposits in the ear canal and gradually dissolve them. Liquid lanolin and mink oil have a softening and moisturizing effect on the surface of the skin of the ear canal, promote exfoliation of its dead layer and cleansing. The drug is hypoallergenic. Overdose and drug interaction with other drugs have not been noted.

Cerumenolysis is performed by instilling about 20 drops of a solution warmed to body temperature in the palm of your hand into the ear. Then you need to lie with the treated ear upward for 20-30 minutes. If plugs have formed in both ears, the procedure is repeated on the other side. In the presence of large sulfur deposits, up to five treatments per day may be required. It usually takes three to five days to clean the ear canal.

Cerumenolytics are also used to prevent the formation of earwax plugs and the occurrence of swimmer's ear symptoms. These ear drops for itching are not addictive and do not have a toxic effect. They can be used for a long time, but you should follow the dosage and doctor's recommendations.

It is not recommended to get them into the eyes, nose and mouth. If this happens, the affected organs are washed with plenty of water.

Often, itching in the ears is caused by otitis - inflammation of the outer and middle ear of various origins, which is of decisive importance when choosing a drug.

In the early stages of otitis, preference is given to drugs that have a local effect. Liquid forms are the most convenient for treating ears. Drops for itching and pain are produced with various active ingredients. With a correctly established diagnosis, the therapeutic effect is felt literally immediately after use.

Otinum is prescribed for acute otitis media - external and middle ear, stuffiness, after injuries, removal of foreign bodies and to remove earwax. The main active ingredient of the solution is choline salicylate, which inhibits the enzymatic activity of cyclooxygenases, preventing the synthesis of inflammation and pain mediators. The drops have a moderate antifungal and antibacterial effect. The presence of glycerin in the drops helps to soften dry accumulations of sulfur, facilitating their removal from the ear canal. The drug is contraindicated in patients with aspirin triad, known hypersensitivity reactions to other NSAIDs. Do not prescribe for perforation of the eardrum. The presence of salicylate makes this drug undesirable for pregnant and lactating women, small children, since there is no substantiated data on the results of treatment of these categories of patients. Caution should be exercised in patients with vasomotor rhinitis and nasal polyposis.

The solution is instilled into the ear, warmed in the palm of the hand to the level of body temperature. For any purpose, three to four drops are dosed into the external auditory canal of each ear, the patient lies with the ear being treated up and turns over to the other side 10 minutes after instillation. For therapeutic purposes, the ears are instilled three to four times a day, and twice to dissolve plugs. The duration of the course of treatment should not exceed ten days. If on the fourth day there are no positive changes in the patient's condition, the doctor should select another drug.

Otipax is a complex (phenazone + lidocaine) drug in the form of ear drops prescribed for otitis of cold, barotraumatic genesis, as well as complications of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections. It relieves pain, reduces temperature, removes symptoms of inflammation. The effect is felt within five minutes after the drops get into the ear, after a quarter of an hour the pain almost completely subsides. The main effect is analgesic, so the drops are prescribed to patients whose itching in the ear is accompanied by painful sensations. Contraindicated in persons sensitized to the ingredients. It is not recommended to use in cases of damage to the integrity of the eardrum. Clinically significant systemic effect from instillation of Otipax has not been identified, therefore it is allowed to use this drug by pregnant and lactating women, children from one month of age. Side effects from the use of drops are irritation, hyperemia, edema, urticaria, increased itching in the ear canal. Regardless of age, four drops are instilled into the sore ear twice or three times a day. The maximum course of treatment is ten days.

Itching and purulent discharge from the ear are typical for bacterial otitis externa and media, without perforation of the eardrum. Anauran is a drop containing broad-spectrum antibiotics, polymyxin B and neomycin, as well as the anesthetic lidocaine. The combination of antibacterial drugs ensures the death of most microorganisms found in otitis. Lidocaine eliminates pain and alleviates the patient's condition during treatment. The effect of correctly prescribed drops occurs quickly - discharge from the ear disappears, itching stops, so if there is no improvement within the first few days, you should consult a doctor to change the drug. Treatment should not last more than ten days. Longer treatment can cause the development of superinfection, ototoxic phenomena up to complete hearing loss.

The drug is contraindicated for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under six years of age. Side effects are local skin irritation. Depending on the severity of otitis, the doctor may prescribe two to four times the use of drops. For adult patients, a single dose is four to five drops in each ear, children who have reached six years of age can be instilled two or three drops at a time.

Otofa is an antibacterial drops based on the anti-tuberculosis antibiotic rifamycin, which inhibits the enzymatic activity of RNA polymerase of gram-positive and gram-negative cocci, in particular pyogenic: staphylococci, streptococci, and some other bacteria that infect the outer and middle ear. Inactivation of the catalyst for RNA synthesis of pathogenic microorganisms blocks this process, which leads to their rapid death. Otofa drops can also be used in case of perforation of the eardrum.

Contraindication to the prescription is hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or additional components of the drops. Pregnant and lactating women are prescribed in exceptional cases. Side effects are of a local irritation nature - rash, hyperemia, swelling.

The recommended single dose for adult patients is five drops, the frequency of procedures is three times a day. Children are instilled with three drops twice. The drops are left in the ear for several minutes, and then the head is tilted so that they flow out by gravity. The maximum period of use of Otofa drops is seven days. A longer period of treatment is possible only as prescribed by a doctor.

Dioxidine (hydroxymethylquinoxaline dioxide) can be prescribed in cases where other antibacterial agents are ineffective in severe purulent otitis. Ear drops with such an active substance are not produced - the contents of a pharmacy ampoule (they can contain 0.5% or 1% of the active substance) are diluted independently with a hypertonic solution to a concentration of 0.1-0.2%. Outpatient treatment should be fully supervised by a doctor. The drug is toxic, part of it penetrates into the systemic bloodstream, so it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations for dosing and preparation of drops. Before use, a tolerance test is done. Drops with dioxin are contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, and people with impaired adrenal function. A doctor can prescribe such drops to children only in exceptional cases.

It should be noted that the prepared solution is suitable only for 24 hours. Only a few drops are used (children are given one or two in each ear, adults - three or four), the rest is poured out and a new one is prepared the next day. Before instillation, it is necessary to clean the external auditory canal from pus with a cotton swab soaked in hydrogen peroxide (3%). The drug acts quickly. The effect occurs within three to four days or the treatment is stopped. The development of side effects is also a reason to stop treatment.

In cases of severe purulent otitis media, systemic antibiotic therapy is used. The most widely used antibiotics for ear pain and itching are penicillin (amoxicillin: flemoxin, augmentin; amoxil) and cephalosporins (cefodox, cefotaxime). Macrolide drugs are often prescribed - spiramycin, rosithromycin. They are considered less toxic. In case of prolonged chronic otitis, fluoroquinolones can be used - ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin.

Fungal infection of the external auditory canal is treated with local antifungal agents. Skin treatment with antiseptics with antifungal activity is prescribed: Castellani's solution, Burow's solution, amphotericin solutions, aniline dyes, chinosol, potassium iodide (2%) and others. Before the procedure, the skin surface of the auditory canal is cleaned of secretions, sulfur, exfoliated crusts, and fragments of fungal mycelium.

Antifungal ointments for itching in the ears are prescribed - nystatin, clotrimazole.

Nystatin ointment is especially effective for ear candidiasis, but can also be prescribed for aspergillosis. The polyene antibiotic nystatin is able to bind to ergosterols, which make up the cell walls of the microorganism. Destruction of the cell membrane entails the release of cytoplasmic components into the intercellular space and disrupts the viability of the cell. With local application, absorption practically does not occur, however, the ointment is not recommended for use in pediatric practice and for the treatment of pregnant and lactating women. Contraindicated in case of allergy to the ingredients. Apply a thin layer to the affected skin surface once or twice a day. The duration of the course should not exceed ten days. It is possible to repeat the treatment course, observing an interval of two to three weeks.

Clotrimazole, in addition to destroying the fungal cell membrane, has an additional toxic effect through interaction with mitochondrial and peroxidase enzymes to form hydrogen peroxide, an increase in the concentration of which creates additional conditions for the termination of fungal cell activity. This representative of imidazoles is active against various types of fungi, in particular, Aspergillus and Candida, as well as against such common pathogens of purulent infections as staphylococci and streptococci. The drug is practically not absorbed into the systemic bloodstream. Its embryotoxicity has not been confirmed by studies, however, clotrimazole is prescribed with caution to pregnant and lactating women. In the first trimester, it is not prescribed at all, as well as to hypersensitive patients.

The cream is applied in a thin layer to the skin of the ear canal twice or three times a day. The treatment is long-term, on average - a month. Possible side effects are local reactions. It is not recommended to use it in combination with other antifungal agents (nystatin, amphotericin B, natamycin), since the effectiveness of the treatment is reduced.

In case of recurrent mycosis, damage to the internal structures of the ear, systemic therapy is prescribed. Intraconazole is the drug of choice for aspergillosis, ear candidiasis is successfully treated with fluconazole or ketaconazole. Combined treatment is especially effective - a combination of tablets and external agents.

Patients with mixed infections or when the type of pathogen is unknown are prescribed multicomponent drugs - candibiotics, which simultaneously have a bactericidal, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.

Candibiotic, this is the name of ear drops that have recently gained popularity among patients and doctors. The solution contains four active components that provide a wide range of action of the drug.

The antibiotic chloramphenicol, better known to the general public under the trade name chloramphenicol, inhibits the enzymatic activity of the main catalyst for protein synthesis in the cell of most bacteria found in otitis.

The antifungal effect of the drug is provided by the component clotrimazole, already mentioned above.

Beclomethasone dipropionate is a hormonal ingredient in ear drops that provides a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, relieving allergic reactions not only to external irritants, but also to the metabolic products of fungal and/or bacterial infectious agents. Quickly eliminates itching and otorrhea.

Lidocaine hydrochloride – relieves pain almost immediately and alleviates the patient’s condition during treatment.

The drops are contraindicated for patients with intolerance to their components, are not used for herpes virus lesions and suspected perforation of the eardrum. Systemic absorption is minimal, however, to avoid side effects associated with it, adults are treated for no more than a week, children - no more than five days. It is prohibited to use drops for children under two years of age, pregnant and lactating women. Registered side effects, when observing the recommended doses and duration of treatment, are of a local irritation nature.

Patients aged two to 11 years are given two drops in each ear four times a day. From the age of twelve, the number of drops is increased to three or four, and the frequency of instillation is three or four times a day. Before the procedure, the patient tilts his head to the shoulder with the sore ear up and after instillation maintains this position for some time, ensuring penetration of the drops deep into the ear canal.

If the cause of itching in the ears is a deficiency of vitamins, mineral components, decreased immunity, the patient is recommended to introduce foods into the diet that can replenish the resulting deficiency. The doctor can prescribe vitamins and vitamin-mineral complexes to the patient.

Systemic diseases that manifest themselves with such a symptom as itching in the ears are treated by specialists in the appropriate field.

Physiotherapeutic treatment of ear diseases often becomes a good addition to drug treatment, helping not only to eliminate inflammation and pain, but also to stimulate the immune system.

The most popular method is the use of high-frequency magnetic fields (UHF therapy). Medicinal electrophoresis is also used, which promotes faster and more effective absorption of medications. Phototherapy, pneumomassage, and diadynamics are used to combat ear discomfort. Physiotherapy treatment will only be beneficial if the procedures are performed by a qualified specialist on the recommendation of a doctor who will take into account the patient's health condition. Usually, after a week's course of procedures, a significant improvement in well-being is already felt.

Folk remedies

Doctors are against self-medication for itchy ears. Their negativity is based on the fact that after such seemingly harmless treatment, patients, in most cases, still have to see a doctor, and the consequences of self-medication are much more difficult to eliminate after that.

Therefore, using folk remedies to treat problems with the hearing organs is possible only after a diagnosis has been established and with the permission of a doctor.

In folk medicine, various remedies are used to treat itching in the ears. Moreover, the same home-made preparation is capable of not only softening accumulations of dry, dense sulfur, but also disinfecting the ear canal, destroying pathogenic microorganisms.

Freshly squeezed walnut oil is a very effective natural candibiotic. You only need a little bit, literally one or two drops in each ear. Therefore, you can squeeze this amount out of half a walnut kernel through a garlic press. In order not to break the tool and make the task of squeezing easier, it is better to first crumble the walnut kernel into smaller pieces with a knife, and then squeeze it out. If you do not have a pipette, you can soak a gauze wick or a cotton swab with the squeezed oil and insert it into the ear. According to reviews, discomfort in the ear goes away literally after one or two procedures, because walnuts have powerful antiseptic properties.

A fairly safe folk remedy for pain and itching in the ear is a clean geranium leaf. It is torn off from the plant, rolled into a tube and inserted into the sore ear.

Aloe, garlic or onion juice has antiseptic properties. The squeezed part of the juice is mixed 1:1 with warmed vegetable oil and a gauze (cotton wool) soaked in the solution is inserted into the ear.

Traditional healers recommend carefully wiping the ear canal with hydrogen peroxide, 6% table or apple cider vinegar, inserting cotton swabs soaked in boric or camphor alcohol and wrung out so that it does not flow inside. In no case should you drip alcohol solutions, peroxide, vinegar, undiluted garlic, onion, or aloe juice into the ear. You can damage the eardrum and the mucous membrane of the ear canal.

In general, an alternative to direct instillation is the following method: insert a gauze wick into the ear and instill into it, rather than directly into the ear canal.

Folk methods of treatment can also include treatment with phytocandles for ears, which are sold in pharmacies. Doctors, for the most part, are skeptical about the use of this method, believing that it is unsafe to use them, you can get a burn, and the effectiveness is debatable. But phytocandles also have many supporters, according to whose reviews, with their help the ear canal is perfectly cleaned of sulfur accumulations, otitis and otomycosis go away, because the candles are made of natural beeswax with the addition of propolis and medicinal herbs. The candle, shaped like a funnel, warms the ear when burning. In addition, phytoncides from herbs, essential oils, propolis, which is part of the product, evaporate into the ear canal. Due to this, an anti-inflammatory effect is achieved, itching and pain are soothed, the sulfur plug melts, dissolves and flows out of the ear canal. Instructions for use are included with the candles, it must be followed, observing the specified precautions. There is a mark on the candle, below which it should not be allowed to burn. It is better to put candles before going to bed, after the procedure it is not advisable to drink cold drinks and wash your hair.

Herbal treatment is used to relieve ear itching. It is recommended to put 2-3 drops of warm chamomile infusion into the auricle. A few minutes after instillation, the ear is turned downwards so that the infusion can flow out freely.

Add three drops of lavender oil to a calendula infusion (a teaspoon). Soak a cotton swab in this mixture, squeeze it out a little and put it in your ear before going to bed.

For otomycosis, infusion of celandine is dripped into the ear or, in summer, the ear canal is lubricated with freshly squeezed juice of the plant.

Before using folk remedies, you need to be absolutely sure of the integrity of the eardrum, otherwise home treatment can cause irreparable harm.

Homeopathy

Pharmacy complex homeopathic preparations of the Heel brand: Engystol tablets and Schwef-Heel drops can help with itchy dermatoses of any localization and origin, especially those that have become chronic.

The drops contain one active component Sulphur in several homeopathic dilutions. It is used as a constitutional drug for various skin problems, including suppurations. It helps in cases of dermatosis associated with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and hepatobiliary system. It stabilizes the nervous system. The action of the drug is based on stimulation of the patient's defenses. The drops are also effective in advanced cases with an associated secondary infection.

In addition to two dilutions of Sulfur, the tablets contain three dilutions of Vincetoxicum hirundaria, which helps restore cellular immunity after viral infections, so it makes sense to use this drug in cases of complications in the ears after a cold.

Homeopathic medicines should be prescribed by a doctor with special knowledge, then the treatment will be beneficial.

Classical homeopathy also has a large arsenal of remedies for relieving itching in the ears of various origins.

Hypersecretion of sulfur, a tendency to form plugs is often one of the indications for prescribing homeopathic medicines to the patient: Mercurius solubilis or Ferrum phosphoricum, itching in the ear canal and peeling - Aurum muriaticum, furunculosis of the ear canal - Hydrastis; otomycosis and bacterial otitis - Pulsatilla.

In the treatment of otitis, including chronic ones, Lachesis, Lycopodium, Graphites, Baryta carbonica are used. Itching in the ears of psychogenic origin can be relieved by Silicea and Psorinum.

Homeopathic treatment is aimed not so much at eliminating and suppressing symptoms, but at improving the general health of the patient. Preparations are selected taking into account many factors, individually, according to the constitutional type of the patient.

Surgical treatment

In most cases, problems manifested by itching in the ears are eliminated by conservative methods. Unless we are talking about a growing neoplasm, which in the initial stages develops asymptomatically, but taking up space in the ear canal, prevents the free outflow of sulfur, which causes itching. Tumors are recommended to be treated with radical methods. With free access and small sizes, cryodestruction, radio and laser equipment, scraping are used, however, the main method remains open surgery.

In case of complications of purulent otitis and the spread of infection inward, an incision is made in the eardrum to ensure the free flow of pus.

Instrumental removal of earwax (curettage, vacuum aspiration) is not a surgical treatment. Such manipulations are performed in the presence of a perforation of the eardrum, since washing out is contraindicated in this case.