Itchy ears

[svfarmer]

Morning everybody I have Lupus SLE and along with nasal scabs and blood blisters in my mouth I have the most incredibly itchy ear canals that drives me insane - I have some betnovate lotion drops which is really the only thing that helps the trouble is after I put them in I can’t hear properly for a day or two just wondering if anyone else gets the problem and what they do about it . Thanks 🙏

[stiff19]

I sympathise as I have had this a few times, and canals itch like mad and burn. I have no advice I just ride it out as it does go but I also get real painful ears like the cartridge at times when lay on them and bright red ears , occasional swelling but thankfully not too often but yes This is horrible, I hope it passes soon 🙏

[svfarmer in reply to stiff19]

Thankyou x

[MadLadyLisa]

I have Lupus also thank God I don't have mouth soars but I do have really itchy ears but the out side I get really bad blisters on my hands that hurt like crazy

[svfarmer in reply to MadLadyLisa]

It’s no fun is it x

[WinterSwimmer]

I have lots of ear problems - but mostly I suspect related to swimming, not lupus. I find it really helps to keep the insides of the ears dry (I use a very tightly rolled corner of kitchen roll because I think cotton buds are an abomination - but safer to use the corner of a cloth or something that won’t disintegrate). Fungal infections can crop up quickly in warm dark places and itch like crazy, especially at night. I’m not a doctor but in my experience betnovate and similar things can actually make them worse. So my question would be whether you are sure this is directly related to lupus, and if not maybe you could ask your GP to have a look.

If the betnovate drops are definitely the right thing maybe you could try using them, squishing it all around to make sure it goes where it is supposed to and then mopping out any excess.

Don’t know what else to suggest - itchy ears can drive you crazy!

[svfarmer in reply to WinterSwimmer]

Thankyou for your reply - it was a dermatologist that I was under for my blood blisters- and nasal scabs that I mentioned my ears - they have itched for years now but she prescribed me the bentnovate - I must admit I do itch them with cotton buds - I will try what you say Thankyou x

[WinterSwimmer]

I didn’t at all mean to judge you - itchy ears are an absolute nightmare. For me - keeping them dry is the answer. I have used a tiny bit of lamisil in the past - but I do think if what you have been prescribed does not work you should check with a doctor. I hope you get it sorted quickly!

[svfarmer in reply to WinterSwimmer]

I no you weren’t judging me 😊 the itching is just so awful, sometimes I itch them so much they get all inflamed and then I get an infection- I suppose the trick is to try and not itch them and see if that helps - I’m interested to know do you swim in the winter in the sea? My son believes in cold water therapy and get often he will have a bath with lots of ice cubes in it - he also takes cold showers- I tried the cold showers but just couldn’t hack it x

[WinterSwimmer]

Yes, I swim all year round. It’s amazing and really good for mental as well as physical health. I don’t think a cold shower is at all the same thing but can understand that it might give a similar buzz for some people. I like hot showers. Part of swimming in the winter is being outside, in the elements and in nature. I love the water when it is smooth and silky, and also when it is a little bit wild. Sometimes when I am stiff and achy, and feeling a little bit low, I come home from a swim and find myself singing.

[svfarmer in reply to WinterSwimmer]

Your braver than me - I hate the cold but I suppose you get used to it - it obviously gives you a lot of pleasure which is great, I used to get that feeling when I had been at the gym , really does make you feel amazing xx

[Djlr]

My ears will itch, but it is usually due to my ‘allergies’ and after they calm down & with allergy medicine, the itching will stop.

There are several reasons that ears can itch.

I would read over the ones in the articles below and discuss with your Doctor in case it is more serious, but the itching is horrible when it happens and your Doctor should know any Symptoms we are experiencing since Lupus as an autoimmune Disease which can attack any of our body’s normal cells, even in the ear.

webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ear-...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

[svfarmer in reply to Djlr]

Thankyou so much for your reply - I will have a read xx

[Chris21]

I use olive oil once a week, leave it for a minute or so and then tip head other side to drain excess out. It helps with the itching, just have to resist ‘digging’ in the canal 😁

[svfarmer in reply to Chris21]

Brilliant- thankyou so much - I will try this xx

[Lupusrelative]

Quite right. Doctor once told me never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear! Not quite sure how you’d manage that though. 😆