What causes itching in the ears?

We cannot cover our heads all day long, so our heads are often exposed to wind and sun, and the same is true for the organs on the head, such as our two ears. Sometimes when we stay in a place with bad air or humidity for a long time, not only will our bodies feel uncomfortable, but our ears will also develop rashes and itchiness. The structure inside the ear is complex, so if your ear itches, you cannot just scratch it hard. So what causes itching in the ears?

Itching and purulent secretions appear in the ears, which may be due to inflammation. You need to be careful not to scratch it often. You can also consider applying some erythromycin ointment. Be careful not to let water enter the ears and keep the ears clean. If there is no effect, further examination is needed.

Otitis is an inflammation of the ear, which is usually divided into otitis externa and otitis media in medicine. The external ear refers to the ear and ear canal. The ear canal secretes oil and earwax. If water enters the ear canal, the bacteria in the water will invade the ear canal and cause otitis externa. Otitis media is an inflammatory lesion involving all or part of the structure of the middle ear (including the Eustachian tube, tympanic cavity, tympanic sinus and mastoid air cells). Most of them are non-specific inflammations, especially common in children, and can be divided into two categories: non-suppurative and purulent. Non-suppurative types include secretory otitis media and barotraumatic otitis media; suppurative types are divided into acute and chronic types, and specific inflammation is rare, such as tuberculous otitis media.

Otitis can be divided into otitis externa and otitis media.

The external ear refers to the ear and ear canal. The middle ear is contained within the eardrum and consists of three delicate ear bones. The ear canal secretes oil and earwax. If water enters the ear canal, the bacteria in the water will invade the ear canal and cause external otitis. Otitis externa is an inflammatory disease of the skin of the external auditory canal. Otitis externa is diffuse and is mostly caused by skin damage after ear picking, which allows bacteria to invade. It can also be caused by foreign objects, pus from otitis media, water ingress during swimming, etc. During an attack, there is a throbbing pain in the ear, which worsens when opening the mouth, chewing, and yawning. There is obvious pain when pulling the auricle or pressing the tragus. There is little impact on hearing, which is the difference from acute otitis media. In severe cases, there is swollen and painful lymph nodes under the ear and fever. In external otitis, the entire external auditory canal skin becomes red and swollen, with a small amount of purulent secretions. If the acute condition is not treated properly, it may turn into a chronic condition. There are also cases where the onset of the disease is chronic, such as discomfort in the external auditory canal, slight pain, slight itching, a small amount of yellow secretions or dandruff, etc.

Otitis media is an inflammatory lesion involving all or part of the structure of the middle ear (including the Eustachian tube, tympanic cavity, tympanic sinus and mastoid air cells). Most of them are non-specific inflammations, especially common in children, and can be divided into two categories: non-suppurative and purulent. Non-suppurative types include secretory otitis media and barotraumatic otitis media; suppurative types are divided into acute and chronic types, and specific inflammation is rare, such as tuberculous otitis media.

Differences between otitis media and otitis externa:

The middle ear is contained within the eardrum and consists of three delicate ear bones. The external ear refers to the ear and ear canal.

Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear and is often a painful complication of an upper respiratory tract infection such as the common cold or throat infection. Chronic otitis media is a chronic inflammation of the middle ear mucosa, tympanic membrane or deep bone, and often coexists with chronic mastoiditis. If acute otitis media is not treated in time or the condition is severe, it may also develop into chronic otitis media.

The ear canal secretes oil and earwax. If water enters the ear canal, the bacteria in the water will invade the ear canal and cause otitis externa. Both external auditory canal furuncle and external otitis are inflammatory lesions of the skin of the external auditory canal. External auditory canal furuncle is localized and purulent; external otitis is diffuse, mostly caused by skin damage after ear picking, which allows bacteria to invade. It can also be caused by foreign objects, pus from otitis media, water ingress during swimming, etc. During an attack, there is a throbbing pain in the ear, which worsens when opening the mouth, chewing, and yawning. There is obvious pain when pulling the auricle or pressing the tragus. There is little impact on hearing, which is the difference from acute otitis media.

External auditory canal furuncle often grows at the opening of the external auditory canal and appears as a localized protrusion. After the abscess is formed, the top becomes soft. After the pus is ripe, it can burst on its own and flow out a small amount of thick pus, often with blood. At this time, the pain is quickly and significantly relieved. In external otitis, the entire external auditory canal skin becomes red and swollen, with a small amount of purulent secretions. If the acute condition is not treated properly, it may turn into a chronic condition. There are also cases where the onset of the disease is chronic, such as discomfort in the external auditory canal, slight pain, slight itching, a small amount of yellow secretions or dandruff, etc.