What Causes Scabbing In Inner Part Of The Ear?

Posted on Fri, 5 Sep 2014

Question: I have had scabbing in the inner part of my right ear. It doesn't heal, and I don't know what caused it. I don't clean my ears every single day (as I had been told that it's not good you). I clean them the same as I have all my life and I've never had any problems or infections with them. A few days ago a few light spots of blood on a qtip and today when I cleaned them I got a massive headache :( I've been excessively tired this past 2 weeks (don't know if it's related), maybe it's nothing and it will pass, but I thought I'd ask. What could this be? Home remedy or go to doctor?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It's otitis externa...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query. I’ll try to help you out with this problem.

The symptoms described by you seem to be related to Otitis externa (the inflammation of the outer ear). This happens when the delicate skin of the ear canal gets damaged due to scraping and becomes an open field for the bacteria and other micro-organisms to invade. The inflammation stretches the tightly adherent skin causing pain.

Otitis externa can also give rise to headache, because of the referred pain.

My suggestions to you are:
1. Please avoid using ear buds in the future. If you want to clean the ear, use a clean thin cloth. Roll the corner of the cloth and u can insert into the ear. This is the best way of cleaning the ears.
2. Avoid water getting into the ear.
3. You can try taking OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac.
4. Consult your doctor for a thorough evaluation and management. Self-medication may be dangerous and it can harm your ear.

Hope I have answered your query. I will be available for the follow-up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E