OK, this is my gross problem:
For several years now I've had a condition in the skin of my ear canal. Basically, it itches inside and when I stick my finger in and scratch it, there is a smell to the earwax (sort of yeasty and sour). I've been through a few rounds of steroid/antibiotic ear drops and an otolaryngologist said he didn't see anything wrong with my ear canal. He also said there was no such thing as a yeast infection in the ear. I also cleaned it frequently for a while with hydrocortisone and a bulb, so it's not an earwax issue. I deal with it now, about once every 2 weeks, by sticking a q-tip coated with hydrocortisone in there. It calms the itch and the smell. It feels inflamed in there sometimes, and I can tell because the q-tip hurts the walls of the canal. Sometimes earwax comes out, but nothing odd.
Does anyone know what could be happening, and what I can do about it?
2007-02-25 10:14:00 · 8 answers · asked by thalesgirl 4 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
You CAN get a fungal infection in the ear.
Scratching inside only irritates the skin and allows more places for the infection/fungus to settle in.
I'd get a second opinion from another ENT. Miracell gets excellent reviews from people in my profession, but I have not used it. http://www.miracell.com/ear_care.html
2007-02-25 10:17:47 · answer #1 · answered by HearKat 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
"An itchy ear is a maddening symptom. Sometimes it comes from a fungus (especially in acute cases), but more often it is a chronic dermatitis (skin inflammation) of the ear canal. One type is seborrheic dermatitis, a condition similar to dandruff in the scalp; the wax is dry, flaky, and abundant. Some patients with this problem will do well to decrease their intake of foods that aggravate it, such as greasy foods, carbohydrates (sugar and starches), and chocolate. Doctors often prescribe an oily or cortisone containing eardrop to use at bedtime whenever the ears itch. There is no long-term cure, but it can be kept under control. Itchy ears in a few patients are caused by allergies that require specific medical treatment."
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i wish u the best lck n the world because we oftentimes find it so very difficult 2 even get doctor 2 know where we're coming from!i hope u feel better fast....take care and God bless and keep u always!
2007-02-25 10:22:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you need to go to another doctor for a second opinion.
What he's saying makes no sense to me: Surely people can develop an infection of any body part/area--that's a fact of life, nature, the human body, bacteria, and viruses whether local or systemic.
If this is not a yeast infection then it's clearly SOME kind of infection needing attention and he's done nothing for you except take your money and waste your time.
The bottom line is that your ear should not be constantly itching and it should not at all smell beyond the ear wax buildup. Nor should you have to pay this kind of attention and care to it to get relief. So, something is definitely wrong.
Get rid of HIM, not (eventually) your ear or your hearing.
2007-02-25 10:22:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same thing. I noticed a smell on my pillow, too. Also, when I would rub my eyes, a little drop of greasy residue would come out from my tear ducts onto my finger. It would have the same smell as the ears. Turns out, once I got rid of my cholesterol problem, the smell went away. It should be noted, however, that I am also working on cleansing my body. I'm not positive it's the cholesterol. I was thinking it could some kind of yeast infection also, so I've been taking oregano oil caps. I'm sure if you get on a serious health kick and take some cleansing supplements, the smell will go away.
2007-02-25 10:24:02 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. Peachy® 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Itchy Smelly Ears
2016-12-13 03:57:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
See a doctor that specializes in problems with Ears.
2007-02-25 10:18:17 · answer #6 · answered by cireengineering 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dude, I don't think that's normal. Go see a different ENT doctor. I wish I knew what the problem was. All doctors are not created equal.
2007-02-25 10:18:18 · answer #7 · answered by Amy M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Probably eczema try looking athttp://www.otan.us/webfarm/emailproject/rem.htm there are loads of ideas for ear troubles good luck Fizzy http://nofleasonme@blogspot.com
2007-02-25 10:23:13 · answer #8 · answered by Fizzy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is definately nasty. Pull a Vincent Van Gogh and cut the sucker off. Later stinky lobes!
2007-02-25 10:18:00 · answer #9 · answered by muddbutts 3 · 1⤊ 5⤋
this site can help you:
http://www.toptop10.com/yeast_infection.htm
2007-02-25 18:26:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋