What should you know about dry skin around ears?

Skin behind the ears, on the outer ear or in the crease may become dry after frequent washing, friction from masks or glasses, hair products, headphones or jewellery. It may feel itchy, tight or scaly. Asteatotic Eczema, Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis can also present around the ears, sometimes with scale at the hairline or elsewhere.

Dryness on the outer ear is different from a blocked or painful ear canal. A clinician needs to inspect the area if the symptoms are inside the canal, affect hearing or come with discharge.

Wash the outer ear with lukewarm water and a mild fragrance-free cleanser, then pat it dry. Apply a small amount of bland emollient to the outer skin and behind the ear, especially after bathing. Avoid cotton buds, scratching, fragranced products and experimenting with oils or creams inside the canal. Clean and dry items that touch the area, such as earbuds or hearing devices, according to their instructions.

If a new product or metal contact preceded the rash, stop it temporarily and tell your clinician what it was. An Emollient Therapy approach may support the skin barrier when simple dryness is the main issue.

Seek assessment for pain, swelling, warmth, crusting, oozing, bleeding, bad-smelling discharge, hearing change or symptoms deep in the ear. Prompt care is appropriate if redness spreads quickly or you develop fever or feel unwell. Recurrent scale deserves review because treatment differs between eczema, psoriasis and infection.

Ask whether the rash is limited to the outer ear; whether headphones, hair products or jewellery may be contributing; which moisturiser is safe near the opening; and whether you need treatment for Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis or Asteatotic Eczema.