Suggest Treatment For Compulsive Ear Cleaning Habit

Posted on Fri, 27 Nov 2015

Question: Hi I have a compulsory ear picking disorder and I tend to pick my ears with my pinkie until a discharge comes out. there are always scabs forming in my ear, but before they can heal, I always peel them off. how bad is this for my?

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Will not damage your ear, but avoidable.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. Since the external ear canal skin is very delicate, it gets scratched and damaged by this repetitive action.

2. Whenever skin injuries heal, itching is common which is why you feel like removing the scabs, causing more injury. This sets up a vicious cycle leading to compulsive ear picking.

3. Get an ENT examination to look for reasons for the itching in the ear. Referred sensation from acidity in the stomach is a common cause. Local ear drops and medication can help break this habit.

4. While this is unlikely to damage your hearing, this is avoidable as it causes minor damage to the entrance of the external ear canal.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad