I had leaky discharge and scab like pieces that would come out of my ears for years. Not one single doctor could figure out what the problem was after numerous visits. It was very annoying and I was self conscious about it as well. I used Pantene Shampoo and never thought that could be causing my issue. Until one day I picked up another type of shampoo (I bought Head & Shoulders for normal hair). WOW...to my amazement, my ears healed within a couple weeks and I've been leak and itch free in my ears for many years now! I switched my shampoo--I was allergic to it! I got to thinking about it the other day and started to wonder if anyone else had the same issue. So now I'm here letting you know what helped me with my leaky/itchy ears. I know it probably won't help everyone that deals with this issue, but if someone gets relief from my post I'll be happy. Here's wishing you good luck!

I don't know if anyone is still following this thread, but I came upon it while trying to figure out what was causing the severe itching inside my ear and ear canal over the past number of months. I visited my family doctor and was told that it was eczema, and she prescribed a lotion of Mometasone Furoate, which smells like it's mostly alcohol and which really burns. It didn't help.

I noticed that many people on this thread spoke of visiting ENT specialists, but it seemed to me that this was more of a skin problem than anything else--so I made an appointment with a dermatologist. The nurse practitioner took one look and said, "That's not eczema, that's seborrheic dermatitis." This is a condition that can be caused by Malassezia, a fungal yeast. She prescribed a six-day course of Azithromycin (Z-pak) and 0.05% Desonide cream (ridiculously expensive, but it immediately calmed the itching).

Last night I spent time reading about Malassezia. It's a form of yeast that likes to feed on oleic acid. I did change my diet about six months ago or so, and I eat lots of avocados, almonds, olive oil, and ground flaxseed--all of which are high in oleic acid! I'm going to eliminate some of this (definitely no more flaxseed in my morning smoothie) and see what happens. Just wanted to pass this info along in the hopes that it may help someone. I've never had this sort of problem before, and the itching is (was? I hope?) driving me round the bend.

I also have the issue and have had it resolved by an ENT specialist.
1. Never let water go inside your ear because it aggravates the PH balance, and also, when you shower, if any of your shampoos are an allergen they can aggravate your condition.  I wear Mack's earplugs when I shower, which are wax swimmers earplugs.  You can also use cotton wool with Vaseline, but it can get a big messy.
2. DON'T USE QTIPS.  This *****, but don't do it!
3. If you feel like there is a lot of build up in your ear, or you need relief, use an ear bulb to rinse out with an appropriately PH balanced solution, like water & vinegar, or a saline solution.
4. I don't have the money to get blood tests, since my allergens are subtle -- I did something called the elimination diet, but it's considered "alternative" medicine and not legitimate in the traditional MD community.
5. I was prescribed acetic acid, which is both anti bacterial and anti fungal solution-- it was recommended that I put drops in when my ears are particularly itchy.  When I don't have the my prescription around, I use vinegar diluted with water.  (Acetic acid is basically vinegar) I am extremely prone to infections and this gets rid of them if I let the solution hang out in my ears for about 10 minutes/day.  It was also recommended that I use just regular hydrocortisone cream, but only lightly on the very outside of my ears with the tip of my pinky, about 3 - 5 times a day.

When I'm following the rules, my condition subsides, when I'm not, it sounds like exactly what you're experiencing.  Hope this helps!

Hi, I've had this problem with a leaking ear for over a year -- antibiotics and ear drops did not help at all.  I read many of the posts here and jotted down all the treatments people recommended.  The Mario Badescu Cream sounded the most promising, so I ordered it from Amazon and have used it daily for a week now.  The leaking has STOPPED, this cream is miraculous!!!  I will stop using it for a while now; hopefully the leaking is gone for good!  I will post again after a few weeks, or sooner if it comes back.  Thank you for your help.

this thread was extremely useful a few months back when I was desperate to understand why the ENT was not fixing my ear problem, it helped me look for the root cause, here is what I found out:

1) I had serious irritable bowel disease that led to a "leaky gut" (google it). This caused my immune system to get very weak which in turn caused the eczema in the ears and other places.

2) cortisone drops or cream do not fix it, they may improve the ears for a while but you need to focus on the root cause, on whatever is causing your immune system to malfunction

The solution for me:
1) fix bowel with a detox: no gluten, no A1 protein milk (a2 is fine) , low GI, product to kill bad gut bugs, adding probiotics and green supplements
2) for the ears there are two home made solutions that have worked better than anything else a) garlic oil b) Himalayan Crystal Salt Sole  (google it)


hope it helps  

I hAve the same problem if I eat wheat or gluten.  You wrote this a long time ago.  Have you found a solution?

I hAve the same problem if I eat wheat or gluten.  You wrote this a long time ago.  Have you found a solution?

I have this problem also! I’ve been itching and scratching for the past 10 years, always passed off as eczema but I’m sure it’s fungal. It clears up with steroids or steroid cream then comes straight back. I scratch with cotton buds, it goes right down inside my ears, I scratch it so vigorously I have tinnitus in one ear. Has anyone used any effective oral anti fungal meds? I fear this is the only way I can get rid of it since it goes so deep.

Sad to say that I have had the same problem.  Started off as mild itching in one ear, and then the other.  Took time to really develop and the doctors dismissed it as eczema.  It then developed to produce a clear liquid that STANK and lumps of flaking skin.  I was given steroid creams but I was also diagnosed with Lichen Planus on my gums and later my scalp.  This led to a decent amount of alopecia on my scalp, which is unfortunate.  However, I was offered as foam based steroid for my scalp and the dermatologist said to just rub the tiniest wipe, in my ears - literally next to nothing.  It's pretty much gone now and I dab a bit on once a month, if I feel any itching.  I was prescribed Clarelux cutaneous foam (Clobetasol propionate).  I hope this might be of help to someone, as I know what you are going through!

Sad to say that I have had the same problem.  Started off as mild itching in one ear, and then the other.  Took time to really develop and the doctors dismissed it as eczema.  It then developed to produce a clear liquid that STANK and lumps of flaking skin.  I was given steroid creams but I was also diagnosed with Lichen Planus on my gums and later my scalp.  This led to a decent amount of alopecia on my scalp, which is unfortunate.  However, I was offered as foam based steroid for my scalp and the dermatologist said to just rub the tiniest wipe, in my ears - literally next to nothing.  It's pretty much gone now and I dab a bit on once a month, if I feel any itching.  I was prescribed Clarelux cutaneous foam (Clobetasol propionate).  I hope this might be of help to someone, as I know what you are going through!

Sad to say that I have had the same problem.  Started off as mild itching in one ear, and then the other.  Took time to really develop and the doctors dismissed it as eczema.  It then developed to produce a clear liquid that STANK and lumps of flaking skin.  I was given steroid creams but I was also diagnosed with Lichen Planus on my gums and later my scalp.  This led to a decent amount of alopecia on my scalp, which is unfortunate.  However, I was offered as foam based steroid for my scalp and the dermatologist said to just rub the tiniest wipe, in my ears - literally next to nothing.  It's pretty much gone now and I dab a bit on once a month, if I feel any itching.  I was prescribed Clarelux cutaneous foam (Clobetasol propionate).  I hope this might be of help to someone, as I know what you are going through!

I actually stumbled upon this post because I have some lymph leaking from my ears and aside from bandaids and gauze, I was wondering how others dealt with it. It's incredibly annoying to feel it leaking. I know this post is a year old, but I thought I'd answer anyway. I am a nurse, halfway through a biochemistry degree, on my way to medical school - so I do have medical knowledge. The fluid leaking from your ears is just lymph. Don't worry. Unless you recently had severe trauma to your skull, such as being in a car accident or falling off a fall ladder, it's extremely unlikely it's cerebrospinal fluid, as that generally only leaks through the ear canal after a skull fracture. When you pick scabs, especially repeatedly, lymph (with or without blood) will leak. This is a sticky, clear thick fluid. Your body is trying to tell you to stop itching and picking because it's trying to heal. If you find that the fluid is yellow or green, and especially if it starts to smell, you've infected your ear and you need to see a doctor.

Hi to all.I had fluid running down the back of my head, my scalp, finally out my ears. Thousands of dollars and doctors later no relief. My husband said try Listerine, I did, some relief on my head, not enough, Later he said try honey, so I went to wal mart and bought the glass jar, pure raw honey, I read put it on 1 spoon water   9 honey, leave on for 3 hours then rinse head. It was the first relief I had in 6 years, my hair fell out 5 times. The drs said I had sebbhoric dermatittis, but the only relief I got was with an antibiotic.  . Yes I itched too. Honey is an antifunal and antibioic and it's 6.00. Next a friend said go to Sallys and talk to them. I did I also developed some excema very slght. Get the generic Tea Tree shampoo at Sally's, but for Sebbhoric Dermatitis get the African Black Soap and the African Black Shampoo at Sally's Beauty. They work. If you stick something in your ears you are asking for trouble. and by the way even my glasses were covered, it was discovered that I also had  fungus as an issue and was treated with fungal pills which was great. It was even on my chest. Those buds  in your ear are dripping with this germy stuff. I have improved, yet now after all this seems like It may be my tonsils that need to come out. Wound up in the hospital with a high fever, hardly knowing where I was, still waiting for the final answer. Hope this helps someone.

Is this the one you are talking about? MARIO BADESCU Control Moisturizer for Oily Skin $18.00

They discontinued the Mario Badescu control cream due to mounting legal pressure, which began when a drug agency in a foreign country tested Healing Cream and found that it contained high levels of unlabeled steroids.

There are at least 10 different kinds of Mario Badescu Cream. Which one?

It can't be my shampoo as I change it every six months. My doctor gave me a cortisone cream but its a temp relief. I can't sleep my ear leak's constantly, and the eczema has gotten so bad the I scratch and it bleeds. I'm going to give up gluten permanently. I gave it up temporarily and when I started gluten again the ear thing started. I'm glad I found this forum , my husband thinks I'm nuts and the eczema is from me cleaning my ears too often. I'm using the ear buds because its itchy and wet. I hold the ear bud and allow all the moisture to be absorbed. Hope the gluten free diet works. I want to wear my hair in a ponytail again.I'm going back to herbal doctor after a few months of no gluten.

From what I found on Amazon Mario Badescu Control Cream (0.50 oz) but they no longer sell it. it was pulled from the market.

WHICH:
"Mario Badescu Cream"
(there are at least 100 different products under that name)...?!!!

Update: The condition returned (itchy eczema on outer ear, leaky fluid, pain and itching in inner ear)--so I finally went to an ENT, and am thrilled to report that I found a wonderful university-affiliated doc who has helped immensely.

Yes, the problem is a fungal yeast infection (Malassezia), as the nurse practitioner had said earlier (see my previous posts). Here's what the ENT doc did, and the problem seems to be 99% solved after two visits: He suction-vacuumed the yeast growth from inside my ears (a little bit painful, but not nearly as painful as the actual ear problem, and the procedure only took a minute). Then he sprayed boric acid powder deep into my ear canals. He prescribed Mometasone Furoate 0.1% ointment for the dry, flaky skin on the outer ear. My inner ears are now dry (leaky fluid is gone) and they no longer itch. I apply the ointment once a day, and the horrible redness on my outer ears is gone. There's still some dry skin, but nothing like before.

If you decide to go to an ENT, call their office beforehand and ask them to tell you EXACTLY how they treat inner-ear yeast infections. If the ENT's treatment does not include suction vacuuming and boric acid powder, then cross that doc off your list and call another ENT until you find one that does. Boric acid is as old as the hills, and it WORKS. But the powder needs to be sprayed deep into your ear, and the ENT will have the equipment for doing this.

My hearing is back to normal, and it is so great to be rid of the ITCH. Rather than a food allergy, I'm now wondering whether the condition originated from sitting in a sauna at the YMCA. The problem seemed to start shortly after I joined the Y a couple of years ago. I don't swim, but I did take aerobic water exercise classes and got pool water in my ears. I also liked to sit in the sauna. The ENT doc said to keep water out of my ears, and to avoid the sauna (which causes the inner ear to sweat). And don't use q-tips!

I hope the problem is now solved, but if it returns I'll book another appointment for ear vacuuming and boric acid treatment. I also hope this info helps others who are dealing with the same problem. Good luck!

At least I now know I am not nuts.  I have had issues with ear infections for about 5 years, but no big deal. One a year, resolved by antibiotic ear drops.  But, since November I have had constant issues -- ear infections, and itching in the canal.  I had been seeing one ENT, who just kept treating the ear infections, not the underlying condition.  So I switched to another ENT this year, who has a subspecialty in otology and something else ear related.  Not all ENTs major in ears, so check the qualifications before you go.  She says the underlying weeping condition makes the ear canal hospitable to bacteria, hence the infections.  I am seeing her with some minor success, but still have some pain.  I have started an elimination diet (no dairy, soy or nuts) and will see how that works.  Will do two weeks and if no improvement add more allergens, like eggs.  I have also made an appointment with an allergist for next week.  And I have found an acupuncturist that a neighbor says is great.  She had a different issue.  If the allergist and the elimination diet don't work, I am off to the acupuncturist.  I have been prescribed oral and topical antibiotics and topical steroid drops.  They are supposed to help the ears heal.  Some improvements apparently when the ENT looks into my ears.  I take lots of Advil, which helps take an edge off, and I just started an antihistamine, Claritin.  I also bought an OTC exyma cream that I put just at the edge of my ears -- I don't put anything in the ears at all, except for vaseline on cotton balls to each my hair. I have short hair, and I recently bleached it, so I only wash it once a week to keep those ear canals dry.
No one who doesn't have this condition can believe it, so I am glad to have found this community.  Thanks for listening.

I have had this problem for years. The only thing that was worked for me is a prescription of Nystatin / Triamcinalone ointment. I just saw my ENT today for more refills. There is no cure still. I hate the itchy draining ears! For those of you suffering, talk to your doctor about this prescription ointment. It does help! It won't heal, but it will control the itching and draining. xo

I have been having this problems for yrs my ears itch on a daily basis then I also have episodes when my ear canal gets really tender to the touch and then I suppose from the scratching i'm doing it gets so inflamed that it feels as if a bump or pimple is in my ear at times and it swells shut. This is the worst pain I have ever felt. I have went to the Dr but they give me ear drops and tell me I have a external ear infection and that because my ear canals are really small they cant drain good. This is about to drive me insane. I just cant figure out why my ears are constantly itching with the feeling as if a little bit of drainage is trying to come out. But when I clean my ears with q-tip I get very little if nothing at all out of my ears just a little moisture. My Dr has even mentioned giving me steroid shots in my ears . That really scared me so now I haven't been back wont unless my ears swells shut again which i'm sure will happen... I'm at the point I feel like I could dig my ear completely off. The right one is the one that gives me the most problems the canal stays so dry with small flakes of dry skin in them... anyone with any advice !

I think you're right. Mine are exactly the same way and I suspect it's from the yeast in beer.