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Health 23/12/2025 08:14

Everything You Need to Know About Eczema on the Ears

Eczema is a common skin condition that can affect any part of your skin, including your hands, neck, inner arms, legs, and face — and even your ears.

When eczema affects the area around the ears, it can cause discomfort, itching, redness, and dry, flaky skin. It may lead to inflection and other complications as well.

The key to finding relief is understanding the specific types of eczema that affect your ears, how this eczema is triggered, and effective management strategies.

How Eczema Can Affect Ears

Eczema on your ears can take different forms, each with its own characteristics and underlying causes.

Atopic Dermatitis

The most common and chronic form of eczema is atopic dermatitis.

Experts estimate that atopic dermatitis affects around 200 million people around the world, according to a review of 344 studies.

 In the United States specifically, more than 9.6 million children and 16.5 million adults have the condition.

Statistics are lacking when it comes to how commonly it affects the ears specifically. 

Like many types of eczema, atopic dermatitis happens when an overactive immune system produces inflammation and causes the skin barrier to dry out and become irritated. It may also result from a weakened skin barrier, environmental triggers, and genetics.

This noncontagious condition is typically associated with symptoms in places where the body flexes, such as inside your elbows or behind your knees.

But any area of the skin can develop atopic dermatitis, including the ears, says JiaDe “Jeff” Yu, MD, a dermatologist and the director of the Contact and Occupational Dermatology Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Dr. Yu says that the outside part of your ear can be particularly vulnerable to atopic dermatitis because it tends to dry out easily, unlike certain areas of the body that have more oil and sweat glands, such as your armpits, groin, and scalp.

Symptoms are similar to what would occur elsewhere on the body: “Itching, scaling, and redness are by far the most common,” Yu says. The rash can look purple, dark brown, or an ashy gray or white color on darker skin tones.

The rash may hurt, he says, “especially if scratching has led to open sores and a bacterial infection.”

Seborrheic Dermatitis

If you are experiencing itching, scaling, and color changes on or in your ears, the problem may not be atopic dermatitis. You may be dealing with seborrheic dermatitis, which is common on the ears and can look a lot like eczema.

The condition occurs in approximately 3 to 5 percent of the population globally.

 Once again, however, research into the prevalence of seborrheic dermatitis on the ear specifically is lacking.
It typically takes the form of a dry, scaly, flaky rash that may burn or itch. On the ear, you might experience crusting, cracks in your skin, or oozing if it becomes infected.

“Seborrheic dermatitis is a fancy term for dandruff. It can occur anywhere the skin is oil-rich, such as inside the ears and the ear canal. It less often involves the external ear,” says Yu. The crease behind the ears and even the eyebrows can be affected, though.

The underlying cause of seborrheic dermatitis may be the body’s reaction to a yeast-like fungi on the skin known as Malassezia.

“It may be that the Malassezia eats the increased sebum and then the immune system reacts to the overgrowth of the yeast on the skin,” says Peter Lio, MD, a Chicago-based dermatologist who is on the board and clinical advisory council of the National Eczema Association.

Heat, sweat, and the entrapment of sweat and oils in the skin can all be factors in seborrheic dermatitis as well, Yu says.

What’s the Difference Between Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis?

Board-certified dermatologist Andrew Alexis, MD, explains similarities and differences between the two.

What Triggers Eczema on the Ears?

In order to manage flare-ups, it’s crucial to understand what triggers eczema on your ears. Atopic and seborrheic dermatitis have distinct triggers, but there is some overlap.

Atopic Dermatitis Triggers

Atopic dermatitis can occur when your skin has an allergic reaction to substances it touches. In this case, it’s known as contact dermatitis.

Common triggers for allergy-related ear eczema include:

  • Certain Metals Some of the metals used in jewelry are common culprits, says Yu, and can cause a reaction on the earlobes and outer ear. Nickel and copper are two examples.

     Because some cell phones are made with nickel, they can cause a skin reaction, according to an older case study.

  • Headphones and Earplugs In-ear headphones and foam earplugs can trigger a reaction, potentially affecting the ear canal.

  • Products for Hair and Scalp Care These products — including shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays, and hair dyes — can get in and around your ears, triggering a reaction. 
Other irritants can include:

  • Soaps and detergents
  • Cosmetics and toiletries
  • Topical medications
  • Objects used to clean the ear
  • Allergens transferred to your ears from your fingers
  • Certain, fabrics, like wool
Environmental factors may include:

  • Cold, dry air
  • Changing temperatures
  • Sweat
  • Stress

Picking at or rubbing the skin in and around the ears can also trigger a flare-up. 

“It is best to avoid scratching and rubbing these areas,” says Dr. Lio.

Seborrheic Dermatitis Triggers

Seborrheic dermatitis is often linked to the overgrowth of Malassezia yeast, and has these possible triggers.

  • Excess oil production in areas with more (sebum) glands make these areas, including the ears, more susceptible.
  • Heat and sweat create a favorable environment for yeast overgrowth.
  • Infrequent washing can allow yeast and oil to build up.
  • Stress and fatigue can contribute to flare-ups as well.
Similar to atopic dermatitis on your ears, seborrheic dermatitis may also result from changes in temperatures or weather, cold and dry air, harsh hair products or soaps, and certain medications.

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