Psoriasis behind the ear is characterized by patches of reddened, flaky skin around the ear canal and crease of the ear canal, often with itchy sensations associated with itching.
Doctors typically prescribe low to moderate-strength steroid creams or ointments as the initial therapy for treating psoriasis in ears, which reduce inflammation while simultaneously slowing skin cell production.
Psoriasis Behind the Ear
Remedies
Psoriasis behind the ear can be managed using topical medication and other interventions, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. Doctors commonly advise using topical corticosteroids directly on lesions for relief from inflammation, itching and swelling; alternatively they may recommend moisturizing creams like Jojoba oil or olive oil which contain moisturizing properties.
Avoiding triggers is key in avoiding psoriasis flare-ups in both ears and elsewhere on the body, including stress, cuts or injuries, infections, certain medications and temperature shifts as potential culprits.
Furthermore, keeping moisture at a minimum can also help; this can be accomplished through drying after showering, swimming or other activities, removing excessive earwax using medications like Timolol, Budesonide and Pyrogens; for more severe cases Biologics can also be used; biologics work by blocking certain proteins involved with increasing inflammation – blocking specific proteins that increase inflammation can also help keep moisture levels down significantly.
Home Treatments
Nonsteroidal medications may help manage milder forms of psoriasis. Your doctor might suggest applying nonsteroidal treatments such as calcipotriol (Dovonex) or the combination of betamethasone and calcipotriene (Taclonex).
These help slow skin growth, flatten lesions, provide pain and itching relief, as well as provide slow relief from discomfort and itching.
At pharmacies, tar shampoos, gels and ointments may also be purchased to be applied directly onto the scalp for prolonged contact before being washed off later. Tar products can stain clothes or jewellery while they’re applied, producing strong odors; be careful with anything valuable that might get stained by these treatments as this could void warranties and cause disfigurement to precious possessions.
Steroid creams or ointments may help reduce inflammation, but are generally not advised as an effective solution for ear psoriasis as their overuse may cause skin thinning in and around the head. Instead, doctors might suggest mild- or moderate-strength ointments or lotions to decrease itching and scale buildup.
It’s best to also try avoiding alcohol, conventional dairy, processed food with gluten, excessive sun exposure and any potential irritants like alcohol, dairy etc.
Medical Interventions
Psoriasis on visible parts of your body like ears can be more than an irritation: it can have an enormously detrimental impact on your mood, self-esteem, and confidence.
Aside from itching and reddening or discoloration, ear psoriasis may cause itching, reddening, painful scaling and buildups of scaly skin that infiltrate into the ear canal and potentially lead to temporary hearing loss.
Your doctor can help manage your ear psoriasis with treatments designed to target lesions and decrease inflammation, such as OTC creams and ointments to relieve itching, oral medications, corticosteroid injections, dandruff shampoos, light therapy or biologic drugs that work systemically on changing how the immune system functions.
If the condition worsens to where it blocks the ear canal entirely, seek professional assistance immediately as doing it yourself could damage eardrums or canals and lead to permanent hearing loss; otherwise it would require surgery from an ENT specialist specialist.
Treatment Options
Psoriasis flare-ups can be embarrassing and affect self-image in significant ways, potentially even leading to hearing loss in extreme cases. By following your physician’s orders and avoiding triggers, however, you may be able to control ear psoriasis and live an otherwise normal life.
Your doctor may suggest prescribing low to medium strength steroid cream or ointment to alleviate inflammation in the affected area, and natural oils like jojoba oil and olive oil for this purpose.
Light therapy uses ultraviolet rays to soothe itching and inflammation. You can apply it directly to affected areas like ears and scalps or use UV-B light therapy devices that cover all of the head; these treatments tend to be less effective against psoriasis behind ears than other parts of the body, so your doctor may suggest other calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus ointment (Protopic) or 1 percent pimecrolimus cream (Elidel), both non-steroidal options used off-label for treating psoriasis.
Can Psoriasis Behind the Ear Cause Permanent Hearing Loss
Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, can have an impact on hearing, particularly when it affects the area behind the ear. Here’s what you need to know:
Temporary Hearing Loss from Ear Canal Blockage
Psoriasis behind the ear can lead to temporary hearing loss due to the buildup of scales or wax, which can block the ear canal. This blockage can cause a decrease in hearing capacity. It’s essential to seek medical help if you experience any hearing issues before attempting to clean or insert anything into your ears.
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) in Psoriasis
Psoriasis itself may increase the likelihood of developing a mild form of hearing loss known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). This condition involves a sudden, unexplained loss of hearing, and psoriasis may contribute to its occurrence.
Research suggests that psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, a type of psoriasis that affects the joints, can target the inner ear and lead to hearing loss. The exact relationship between psoriasis and hearing loss is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve the immune system damaging the inner ear.
What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Psoriasis-Related Hearing Loss
Several studies have indicated that individuals with psoriasis are at a higher risk of developing sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Chronic inflammation and an autoimmune etiology associated with psoriasis may contribute to high-frequency hearing loss in affected individuals.
However, the specific factors that increase the risk of psoriasis-related hearing loss are still being studied. It’s important to note that triggers for psoriasis can vary from person to person, with common triggers including stress, infections, and certain medications.
Seeking Medical Help
If you have psoriasis and experience any changes in your hearing, it is crucial to seek medical assistance. A healthcare professional can assess your condition, provide appropriate treatment options, and help determine if there is any connection between your psoriasis and hearing loss.
Remember that managing psoriasis and any associated complications requires proper medical guidance.
