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Q: I often have itching in my inner ear. I clean it with a cue tip almost everyday, which only irritates it more (I don't know why I continue doing it). Sometimes I scratch so hard my ear bleeds (very slightly). Does this mean I have an ear infection? It doesn't really hurt, just itches.
A: Trauma to the external auditory canal is a possible risk factor for inflammation of this canal, referred to as otitis externa. Other typical risk factors for this condition include swimming or moisture exposure, use of a hearing aid, and predisposing skin disorders, such as eczema, seborrhea, or psoriasis. The most frequent symptoms for otitis externa are itching, purulent discharge, plugging of the ear, mild hearing loss, ear fullness, and ringing in the ears, a condition referred to as tinnitus. However, even though itching can be a manifestation of otitis externa, it does not necessarily imply per se that an inflammation of the canal is present. In your particular case, I would recommend a visit to your physician so that he looks in your ear with an otoscope and thus determines by visualizing ther auditory canal whether an inflammmation is, in fact, present. If so, typical treatment would consist of drops containing a mild acid or antibiotics and a steroid. In general, maintaining a good aureal hygiene and getting early treatment of skin problems helps reduce the incidence of inflammation of the auditory canal.
Updated: 06/13/99
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