weeping and peeling behind the ears

[BearcatBengal]

For several years now I have had constant fluid weeping and peeling behind both of my ears. The fluid that weeps from the area seems to form a layer of "skin-like" flakes which eventually block/stop the weeping. Eventually this layer builds up enough that it is so annoying that I practically have to peel it off, which then starts the weeping process all over again.

I was prescribed a topical steroid (Cutivate) by a derm and told the condition was likely a form of sebborheic dermatitis. It doesn't seem to respond to anti-fungals like tea trea oil and other prescriptions I have tried so I don't think its a fungus. The only thing it has seemed to respond well to is the steroid which eliminates it for about 3-5 days after which it returns just as severely as before. It is completely painless and not noticeable. It's more of a nuisance than anything else, but it would be great if I could completely rid myself of it.

Sebborheic dermatitis hardly even seems like a diagnosis to me. Its like saying, "sir, you have inflammation of the skin". Which is obvious in and of itself from the outset. If I knew that it was eczema or psoriasis or some other specific condition then I could probably have a better shot at treating/curing it.

I have read that topical steroids eventually lose their effectiveness somehow. I guess the body somehow develops a tolerance due to the repeated use. Any other ideas of what it might be or how I can treat it? Should I just keep using the steroid forever?

Chronic inflammation can lead to skin cancer. If the area really is inflamed I should probably due something about it. Oddly though, the area doesn't really even seem to be inflamed since it doesn't burn or hurt to touch. Still, It seems like I should be doing more about it than just let it be.

[LDSGirl]

If you have glasses that rub or just have a tendency to touch/pull on your ears a lot it creates a small fissure in the skin in the crease behind your ear that will bleed only blood plasma (no red blood cells) to create a "yellow scab", if you will. Washing well and applying neosporin works for me. The neosporin helps the skin to heal back together and also soaks into the dry skin, making it easier to peel off without irritating the new skin underneath into creating a new plasma scab.
There's definitely cases of psoriasis or ecxema which may need more extreme remedies.
Hope this helps!

[KrickAttil]

I have the same exact problem behind my ears and all over my scalp--I was almost to the point that I wanted to shave my head and just keep it drenched in creams, Tea Tree Oil, etc.  I FINALLY found NEEM OIL!!  Pure NEEM essential oil:  be sure of this because there is NEEM that is combined with some detergents--you do  not want that.  Anyway, I mixed the NEEM essential oil 1:1 with Sweet Almond Oil/Coconut Oil/Jojoba Oil (a good carrier oil). I use about 2 ounces of the mix and rub it into my scalp and ears--use plenty.  You can probably shampoo it out after an hour or two, but I leave it overnight and shampoo it out with a neem shampoo and conditioner.  It is not a cure for me, but as long as I keep my scalp and ears clean with a neem shampoo at least 3 times a week and oil once a month or so.  Like I said, it is not a cure for me, but I am very happy.  It is extremely difficult to cure fungal infections completely.  I found everything on one website.

[Angelicavv]

Everyone please listen if you have psoriasis or anything similar. Take liquid fish oil consistently until it disappears. I promise you it works! I did it consistently for about 5 months, 2-3 tablespoons a day until my psoriasis really started clearing up. I then reduced my intake until this didn't need it anymore. I now only take it if I know I'll be in the sun and possibly susceptible to sunburn or every now n then when I remember. I no longer NEED it. Please do this, it will change your life just like it changed mine. Best of luck to you all, I know how it is.

[JonathanE]

I have something similar, but I do not think it sounds like the same thing.  I do not experience inflammation, I experience sudden bumps that ooze and bleed, like bad acne.  Right above the ears.  I'll get them very badly after having a cell phone up to my ear, but now that I get them without any cell phone use near the ear (texting or speakerphone only), I am getting quite concerned.  I will eventually see a doctor about this, but I'm afraid I'm going to get misdiagnosed and then be back where I started with some heavy bills to pay.  I'd like to have some idea what's going on before I subject myself to a doctor.

[laateedaa19]

I was researching this issue as I was also dealing with this recently. It has happened before but not as bad and it seemed to resolve quickly on it's own. I don't have dandruff or psoriasis, eczema or any other skin condition  so this was very strange to me. When it resurfaced recently, upon researching I found this post that describes my problem to a T in the first paragraph.  I wanted to give a solution as I have found one that worked pretty much overnight for me. Yesterday in the AM while I was showering I used some Pert Plus (Dandruff) shampoo as recommended here. I rinsed well and then on top of that I washed with Desert Essence Tea Tree face wash & Rinsed well. Once out of the shower, I dried behind my ears very well and used a q-tip to put a little bit of Hydrogen Peroxide over the open wound (cut-like wound) behind my ear. Once that dried, I used coconut oil and applied liberally over the entire back of my ear. As the day went on, it continued to do it's thing and scab over as usual and if I were to pick away at it, it leaked and all of that disgusting, awful stuff (But I did notice it wasn't as bad as the day/week before). Last night, getting ready for bed, I cleaned behind my ears once again with Desert Essence Tea Tree face wash and dried the area thoroughly, cleaned with Hydrogen Peroxide, let it dry and then liberally applied the coconut oil. I woke up this morning and that routine really seemed to do the trick. It is 99% gone just in the 24 hour period that I used those methods. No steroids or anything like that. Prior to this method, I had been trying to use neosporin day and night for about a week and that didn't seem to help AT ALL, only got worse and even spread to the other ear a little bit. So, I wanted to share that as this issue is a huge nuisance, it's weird and nasty and can actually be kind of painful. You can find Desert Essence facewash at Fred Meyer in the Health food section (Mine was $8.99, I love that face wash btw) & the coconut oil can be found there as well, try to buy cold-pressed, organic if possible. Hope this helps.

[Paul6363]

I experienced this with my ears last year for the first time in my life and I am 53--it started in Sept/Oct time frame.  It went away after trying many things and unfortunately I cannot recall when exactly it went away as I didn't think I would need to know.  But then this year again in November timeframe it started up again.  2 things I know of, it occurred during the colder months 2 years in a row, and, I went to Acapulco Mexico on vacation, Labor Day week last year and in early November this year went to the same resort (a timeshare that we went to the first time last year and the same this year), and it seems to have started up at the almost same time of year and after we went to Mexico for vacation.  Last year was the first time I have ever been to Acapulco.  Is it co-incidence?  Is it the cold weather?  But, I've always pretty much lived in the same climate?  Is it the resort in Mexico, but it is a very nice and clean five-star resort?  Is it something I ate in Mexico?  Has anyone else with this noticed it was after they were on vacation or in Mexico?  I do not recall exactly how it went away, to be honest, I think it went away on its own as I was tired to trying everything and even though the Dr gave me a cream to use I cannot say it was the cream that worked because I never put it on regularly as I was supposed to.

[sunrise17]

I just got back from Mexico and I am experiencing the same thing on and behind my right ear. It started out in a crease as what looked like a cut, I assumed to be caused by dryness. However it has been a week now and it has spread to different parts of my ear. It's not painful nor is it noticeable to anyone but myself. The only thing I ate in Mexico was some guacamole which I shared with friends, so I dont think it is food related. Perhaps both having noticed this after visiting Mexico is just a coincidence, but definitely something to look into. I am on acutane which does cause dry skin, but being that this is only on one ear and my ear is still producing oils, this seems like it could be caused by something else (hopefully not).