Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
Does anyone else have this problem? I went out of town and before I came back, I noticed the outsides of my ears itched (all around the ear and the lobes, and on the backside of the ears.
I did touch a dog when I was out of town (poison oak maybe)? I don't have a rash, but they itch so bad. I thought about putting rubbing alcohol on them to dry them out (if it is poison oak), but I have yeast issues and I'm not sure if the rubbing alcohol would affect me. Everything else topically does (stuff with sugar or fruit (shampoo), and even vanilla extract).
I was desperate last night and put lemon juice on them (dry them out maybe?). It stung and itched, but when the juice dried they were better. Any suggestions?
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
You could gently clean your ears with hydrogen peroxide on an cotton ball. That will help relieve the itching. If it is yeast, that will also help dry up the rash.
Then apply a thin coat of lotramin (clotrimazole) cream to the itchy area twice daily for a week. That should get rid of the infection. If it is really bad you may need 2 wks.
Make sure you buy clotrimazole version of lotramin. There are several different versions, some work better for ring worm (tinea), you want to treat yeast.
It is a very benign treatment, you can try it if you want. Won't hurt. If it helps that's great.
Obviously, if you are getting sicker or rash pops up and is not improving with above home treatment you will need to see a doc.
If you simply have itchy ears from dry skin or sun or wind exposure hydrogen peroxide may dry them out further.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
| IP: Logged |
Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
Thanks Sammy, great idea! I will try it.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Hint: "went OUT OF TOWN and BEFORE I came back, I noticed the outsides of my ears itched . . ."
My first thoughts are what was on your pillow case, or what other exposures did you have (and they could be from the air, not necessarily direct contact)?
New personal care products? Rental car?
It could be an allergy to the dog.
I would avoid both rubbing alcohol or lemon juice on the ear. If the skin is broken, that will irritate. Rubbing alcohol has petroleum, too. You do not want that on skin, especially the ears.
Many with chemical sensitivities cannot tolerate the scent of rubbing alcohol.
In addition to other suggestions by others, you might consider a CALENDULA gel:
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:375671.
Epub 2012 Jan 24.
Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula officinalis L. Growing in Brazil.
Excerpt:
. . . This experimental study revealed that C. officinalis presented
anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities as well as angiogenic and fibroplastic properties acting in a positive way on the inflammatory and proliferative phases of the healing process. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- The calendula gel above is not greasy at all which is best for exposed skin area.
However, there are others on the market that are an oil base, with good oils - such as Avalon Baby Protective A, D & E Ointment (good for personal areas).
Just be sure to read the ingredient list. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
Thanks Keebler!
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
Keeb, I had already been there for a couple of days before my ears started itching. They started itching the day after I went shopping for clothes. I tried on a bunch of summer tees (maybe there was something on one of them)?
I did have shell fish there for the first time in years (shrimp). Maybe that did it?
I also have a tendency to put my hair behind my ears. I guess it's possible when I touched the dog, it had something on it.
I haven't made it to the store yet to look for some calendula gel, but I immedately tried the hydrogen peroxide after Sammy posted it. It's brought me some relief. Thank you both!
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Thank you both!
Printer-friendly view of this topic