ear, nose, and throat disorders
Dermatitis of the Ear Canal
Treatment of Dermatitis of the Ear Canal
Topical (and for severe cases, oral) corticosteroids For contact dermatitis, elimination of allergic triggers For aural eczematoid dermatitis,aluminum acetatesolution To treatcontact dermatitis,people should eliminate allergic triggers, especially earrings containing nickel, hairsprays, and possibly even hearing aid molds. Trial and error may be needed to identify the allergic trigger. Doctors give people a cream containing a corticosteroid such ashydrocortisoneorbetamethasoneto decrease swelling and itching. People should avoid putting cotton swabs, water, and other possibly irritating substances in the ear. For more severely inflamed ears, corticosteroids taken by mouth (such asprednisone) may be prescribed. To treataural eczematoid dermatitis,doctors give people drops of a dilutedaluminum acetatesolution (Burow solution) to put in the ear as often as is required for comfort. Itching and swelling can be reduced with a cream containing a corticosteroid (such asbetamethasone). Again, avoidance of all irritants to the ear canal, such as cotton swabs and water, is an important part of the treatment of this condition. 