Ear Pinna Is Very Dry, The Dry Skin Peals Off When Scratched And Becomes Red Then Gets Dry Again. Cause?

Posted on Sat, 3 Aug 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 3 Aug 2013 Answered on

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : My ear pinna is very dry in one area.. the Dry skin peals off when i scratch it and becomes red then gets dry again..

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (1 hour later)

Hi,

Your ear pinna becomes dry off and on.... right?

I would like to ask few questions.

Duration of the disease?

Both ear pinna or one ?

At what time you get itching? Continuously or some time?

Do you get pain?

Do you apply cosmetics? Do you wear ear ring?

Do you color the hairs?

What medicine you take and you apply?

Any other skin disease or XXXXXXX disease?

Family history of any disease?

Please post the photograph of affected part.. So that I can conclude and help you.

I am waiting for answers and photo.

Thanks.

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Ilyas Patel (6 hours later)

Its been dry for around 10 days.%0AOnly my left ear pinna.%0AI get itching only when it peels or i touch it.%0ASometimes It feels like burning%2C I also have a mild pain in my ear but thought it was from my wisdom teeth.%0AI dont apply cosmitics or wear earrings.%0AI dont color the hairs.%0AI didnt apply any medication for my ear yet. I was on a 5 day course of cortisone starting July 4%0AI have been recently diagnosed with MS%0A.

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (2 hours later)

Hi,

After reading history and seeing photo, it seems that skin on XXXXXXX area near outer upper rim of your left ear is erythematous and mild scaly.

And this is for only 10 days.

You have mild itching and some time pain.

This suggests irritant contact dermatitis.

The cause would be dust,pollutant,water,soap,oil,shampoo or something else.

Stress and anxiety may promot the disease.

Avoid soap., do mild shampoo with keeping protection to affected area.

Keep the area dry.,not wet.

Apply tacrolimus .03% oint. or mild steroid like mometasone cream.

Take oral steroid in tappering dose for 2 to 3 weeks.

Take antihistaminics like levocetirizine till itch subsides.

Take one week course if antibiotics ..like azithromycine.

All under guidance of dermatologist.

You will improve.

The disease may relapse, so take care to prevent the disease.

I hope you might be satisfied with my answer.

If you have any query, I would like to answer.. Otherwise you may close the discussion.

Thanks and wishing you fast recovery.

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vasanth