weird oozing unnamed skin problem

[HowNowWhatNow]

I have three crusty skin lesions on one ear. On the cartilage or skin just above where the lobe ends. These haven’t responded to a week of amoxicillin. The first GP I saw thought they went along with a middle or inner ear infection, because when they appeared my ear lobe was swollen and so was the skin under my ear. She prescribed the amox.

They aren’t obviously responding to flucloxacillin either. The second GP I saw thought they were a skin infection - eg. Staph / MRSA.

I don’t really want to post a photo. They aren’t nice to look at and are crusty and oozing, a bit like impetigo would be. But I don’t think they are impetigo, because they hurt a lot and came along with considerable ear pain and skin swelling. Docs have considered and ruled out shingles. There was no cut on the skin before they appeared.

I was walking at altitude last week and my ear did hurt more the further up climbed, which would suggest a problem with the ear canal to me, but I am not a doctor.

Has anyone got any good signposting suggestions? I see on the Internet that neck skin problems are a thyroid symptom. I had a very similar looking rash on the right side of my neck two years ago. Also painful and itchy. Doctors didn’t know what it was then either.

I have an open referral to see an ENT, for a different neck problem, so if necessary I can bypass the GP. (I don’t want to take a third course of pointless antibiotics!), but am not sure whether ENTs treat skin complaints like this one.

thank you.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Can your doctor not take a swab to send off and find out exactly what he is dealing with so that he can prescribe the correct antibiotic?

To be honest I’d use that open invitation and by pass the doctor.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I asked the GP what diagnostics they can do and they said “none”! Not a helpful answer.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

Am not even sure if antibiotics are / were necessary!

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

Sounds as if you could do with seeing a dermatologist. You would think your doctor could take a swab or skin sample wouldn’t you?

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

The NHS is a bit more like pin the tail on the donkey than precision medicine these days, though!

[Obsdian]

Impetigo was what came to my mind but you don't seem to think it's that. I have known someone to say it was very painful for them.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Obsdian]

Thank you.

I did some more research after writing my post and think what I have may be relapsing polychondritis / chondritis.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

That sounds quite serious, you would have thought your doctor would do something about it. Who treated it last time you had it?

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I have had a similar skin issue before and had no positive diagnosis then either.

I did - in fairness to the NHS - go private after the NHS let me down, and didn’t get a positive DX there either, but by then my worst symptoms had receded.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Oh gosh!m that’s not very inspiring is it! Hope you can get it sorted out soon.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you!!

[helvella]

When members have any skin issues, I usually point them towards DermNet. Of course, you might already have seen that site.

It can take quite some time and effort but they have an absolutely huge number of photos across a vast range of disorders.

dermnetnz.org/

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to helvella]

Thank you!

[helvella in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

Also worth considering using the Google search by image. (There are lots of similar tools available but so easy just to mention the biggest!)

Upload your image and let it find what it assesses as the most similar. Hopefully they will have information such as what caused the issue in each case.

Sometimes it is fantastic; sometimes rubbish.

[Jazzw]

Some kind of allergic reaction perhaps? Were you wearing a hat at altitude? What was it made from?

And just thinking—when you say they ruled out shingles—how did they rule that out? With tests? Because shingles on the ear is definitely a thing and you said you’ve had something similar before—which could also have been shingles

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Jazzw]

Hi

Thanks for replying! I thought it sounded a lot like shingles - and felt like it (from descriptions on the web of nerve pain in the area and radiating out, too). But because it didn’t look like liquid filled vesicles - it looked more like a crusty, dried, oozing wound (you can see why I didn’t upload photos - she said it wouldn’t be shingles. She said that once three days have passed from the symptoms showing you a) can’t give out anti virals and b) get a positive test result.

[Jazzw in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

I think she’s wrong about the test result. labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

But it’s true about it being too late for antivirals.

I think the benefit in testing would be in not throwing stronger and stronger antibiotics at something that may not respond. Plus you’d know for another time that you are prone to shingles. But maybe it’s an expensive test and that’s the reason she doesn’t want to go there?

[helvella in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

Shingles can go from just slight bumps, increased red rash, and the vesicles getting very obvious around the third day. But then there is the possibility of a bacterial infection of the damaged skin developing.

(Don't worry, I'll not upload photos!)

I found that an anaesthetic such Lidocaine or Benzocaine creams helped a lot at this stage.

Shingles can cause ear and hearing problems. Mine flashed up for a very short time across my ear and towards the crown of my head - but that bit was very mild and resolved very quickly. The rest didn't!

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to helvella]

Thank you!

[HowNowWhatNow]

And the symptoms appeared two days before I left for the climb. So not connected to altitude in time!

[Lulu2607]

You may be better with something applied topically if it's affecting the outer ear or ear canal. Maybe a spray or drops that the GP can prescribe. I was given an antibiotic/steroid spray for something similar which I think the Dr was treating as 'swimmer's ear'. You can Google this and see if your symptoms fit. You don't have to be a swimmer! It's to do with water and shampoo etc affecting the area so best to keep it dry.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Lulu2607]

Thank you!

[Hidden]

Try a natural route possibly , topical application of diluted 50/50 apple cider,water vinegar.(with mother )dabbed on this ailment, ,might sting..eek at first,will surely recover, after, gently wipe & a application of castor oil or coconut oil to moisture ..

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Hidden]

Thanks!!

[Trisha-Lie]

I take lugol iodine daily orally..worth a try. I also put it on any lessions.if they are oozing it is infection iodine is brilliant...and will dry them up asap .I had mastioditis. GPS did nothing. Get a natural nutritionist

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Trisha-Lie]

than k you!

[Coulby]

Hi there,Could you please look at the photo I posted of a lesion I have on my hand and let me know if it's similar...Don't worry about the size..Just the similarities...Thankyou 🌻

[janeroar]

I have a steroid cream/antibiotic for skin rashes I use if usual stuff doesn’t work.

I’d get a swab done though. My sister has a scabby thing on the end of her ear and it’s precancerous. So worth getting it properly checked.

[Delilahmy]

hello HowNow … about 10 years ago I had similar story that turned out to be diagnosed as chondrodermatitis…. It was treated with steroid injection and followed up with topical fucidin cream…. It worked quite quickly … I’m sure you can buy fucidin cream OTC? It’s worth a try …. Diagnosed by dermatologist consultant as dr didn’t know either

[Otto11]

There are so many skin conditions it’s a minefield. Could it be Excema or Dermatitis? Excema tends to be itchy though. It may be worth speaking with a Pharmacist for advice. GP’s are so quick to throw antibiotics at everything. I had Pustular Psoriasis of my nails it took a Dermatologist 4 years to work out what it actually was. Hope you get some answers soon.

[Bustle]

I've had something similar just behind my R ear ....... I was also deficient in several key vitamins, so started taking regular B12 and VitD . After a few weeks the " oozing patch" disappeared. I continue to take various vitamins and the problem has not returned. I am Hypothyroid. Hope this helps .

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Bustle]

Thank you.

[CoeliacMum1]

I’d be inclined to go to ENT… afterwards ask them to refer you to dermatologist, if it isn’t their area to write to GP to do so… bypass GP if possible, as they’ll most likely be going around the houses, following other areas before doing exactly same thing just months later.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to CoeliacMum1]

Thank you so much CM1. That sounds a useful triage method. It’s the one I thought made sense, but sometimes you need it said by someone else!

[CoeliacMum1 in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

I’ve had run around too many times, don’t get me wrong GPs are good generalists but too many guidelines loopholes they unfortunately restricted by…so I now get consultant to refer or write to GP to refer as many GPs won’t go above their heads.

[Wua13262348]

This may be a very stupid suggestion, but have you a nickel allergy and have you been using ear phones with metal or earrings you have reacted to??? My metal allergy (metal button on a pair of jeans another example) would result in skin oozing, crusting and swelling and itching. Were you wearing a hat with latex in it and may have a latex allergy. Latex allergies and certain foods cross react with latex. I think poppyseeds may be one. It might even be something you were drinking. If wearing a hat, did it have some kind of wind-proofing technology , goretex or something about it that you have reacted to???

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Wua13262348]

Absolutely not stupid. The only thing I did differently the week before this happened was that I cleaned my ear with an earbud slightly aggressively.. with hindsight. But I can’t remember whether I did this because it was already itching, or not.

This oozing business all started before I went away. Because I thought it was a regular ear infection - the ear itself was red and inflamed all the way going down the neck and hurting, and not popping, I was concerned the ear drum would perforate on take off. It didn’t! If the scab comes off, it just starts oozing again and forms a new scab.

The infection bit is not on the lobe part but o.

[Wua13262348 in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

Could you have got allergens in your hair , transferred them to your pillow and have had an allergen laden pillow which your ear and neck was in constant contact with ,while you slept? Could it have been the detergent for your pillowslip that had changed and causing it? Had your pillow changed to memory foam, feathers etc. which you may be allergic to? Whilst away, was it a different type of pillow you slept on? You may have reacted to the pillow or the laundry detergents used whilst away??? Once a reaction to something like that starts it can last forever even when no longer in contact with it. Have you tried anti histamines to see if they help?? Neat tea tree or lavender essential oil? They are the only essential oils that can be used neat, and are antibacterial etc.

As far as ear popping concerned you could press your index finger to the fleshy part of the outside of the ear in the middle (might be auricle or tragus- don't know what that bit is called) , and whilst pressing, keep tapping the nail of your index finger with your 3 rd finger to see if ear function benefits.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Wua13262348]

Haven’t tried anti histamines or lavender or tea tree! Will try.

Definitely didn’t get it while away.

Actually - had just started using eucalyptus in our washing (to reduce clothes mites) shortly before I got this… would be v ironic if the thing I got to reduce my son’s allergic reactions brought out my own.

Thanks!

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

Eucalyptus essence, which you then dilute and put into the washing machine.

[Wua13262348 in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

Google search ,"is eucalyptus an allergen", says, can cause cutaneous disease in people who come into contact, and can cause allergic reactions such as skin rashes etc.,etc

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Wua13262348]

Thanks!

[HowNowWhatNow]

but in the part most closely attached to the face.

The only food related thing it might be - that I can think of - is gluten, because I reintroduced gluten into my diet a few times before leaving.

[Wua13262348 in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

I know that poppyseeds , for example , cross react with latex allergies. I haven't looked at gluten in this respect. If you searched hard enough, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if gluten was implicated.

[Kimkat]

I don’t understand why your Gp wouldn’t arrange a dermatology appointment. I really wouldn’t leave this to chance, my father in law had a nasty open wound on his ear and he ended up having to have part of his ear cut away. It too was oozy, a bit like a pot hole, which the dermatologist said was sun damage . So don’t let your Gp palm you off.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Kimkat]

Thank you. Yes I couldn’t understand either why they were so happy to revert to more antibiotics when one course didn’t work. It seems to be improving now. Who knows if time or whether the anti fungal cream I put on it - in desperation - worked.

[Kimkat in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

Did it start out looking a bit like a wart?

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Kimkat]

It started by looking like a cut that oozed.. but without there being any cut.

So not like classic blisters - as in shingles.

AND with pain inside the ear, redness under the ear and swollen ear cartilage around it straight after or at the same time. Then itchiness of the affected oozing / painful area.

I went swimming y’day and the middle / inner ear started hurting again.

I had this exact same skin complaint two summers ago at the back of my neck, same side. Again doctors couldn’t tell me what it was. One opted for shingles even though they said it didn’t look like it.

All of this happens on the side of my neck which my larynx is twisted over towards (I have posted a previous message on subject here).

[Kimkat in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

You definitely need to see a dermatologist, if only to rule out a skin complaint. Good luck going forward

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Kimkat]

Thanks!

[Lulu2607]

Hi HowNowWhatNow . I was just wondering if you are feeling any better since you posted. I have similar symptoms and it's recently returned. It seems to flare up after a visit to the hairdresser! Very painful tragus (flap at opening to ear), inflamed ear canal etc. Did you find anything to help in terms of otc meds?

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Lulu2607]

I am much better. I tried an anti fungal cream - not sure if OTC, I had it in the house - and it started to improve after that. I also took an anti thrush pill. But honestly I don’t know if it was time or these additions.

I still have a scar where it was.

I also went on to have an allergic reaction on my face two weeks later.

Your message brings it all back - when I had it it was horrendous.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

Mine flared up after a trip to the physio. My physio massaged the same side of my neck intensely - if you read some of my older messages here you can see why, not relevant to you - the week before., and I think that’s what caused it.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Lulu2607]

Do you have your hair coloured or just cut? I wonder what causes that.

I might try anti histamines (when I had my allergic reaction I took cetirizine) and ibuprofen for a day or two, in your case. Neither of them can hurt and it’s a question of ruling things out.

[Lulu2607 in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

Thanks for the reply and advice HowNowWhatNow . I have my hair cut at the hairdressers but I do wonder if it's because my ears are getting too wet and then not properly dried while sitting in her chair . I'm more careful at home. The first time it happened I thought she'd cut my ear as that is what it felt like. The swelling is affecting my hearing and I can't touch the tragus because of the pain. It gives me a referred pain in the jaw hinge and painkillers aren't fully effective. Heat packs soothe it and I've tried the tea tree /witch hazel/sudocreme etc treatments. The antibiotic spray from the Dr doesn't make a lot of difference. Being hypothyroid means I tend to have itchy ear canals and before being diagnosed when TSH was 162 I'd started to lose my hearing along with other dreadful symptoms. Thankfully that resolved when I started levo treatment. I'm hoping the current ear problem resolves without another trip to the Drs. Like you say it can be hit and miss what works. Thanks again.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Lulu2607]

Yes. Have you thought about hair getting inside it? As someone who goes swimming, I wouldn’t say wet ears caused my issue. But maybe yours. Did you have something visible on the skin, too? My ear canal was very inflamed too.

[Lulu2607]

Yes I did/do have some sort of lesion on the inner part of the tragus. Very painful to touch and a bit swollen. Third time it's happened since becoming hypo. My symptoms do resemble 'swimmer's ear' although I'm not a regular swimmer.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Lulu2607]

Ahhh. Swimmer’s ear. I actually have surfer’s ear but have never heard of swimmer’s ear.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Lulu2607]

I have had this same skin lesion, pain and itchiness once before - two years ago - but on the back of my neck. I have a twisted larynx, which means the muscles on the right side of my neck (where I had the ear problem and neck one) are compressed. So I didn’t realise this might at root be a thyroid issue!