Weird Eczema on my ear drum that makes me see an ENT every year... (dermatologist, doctor)

[va_lucky]

I have what the ENT says is a form of eczema on just one of my ear drums. I can only go about 4 months before I have trouble hearing again and the ENT has to clean it.

I was wondering if there was something that I could do preventatively so that I don't need to go through the hassle, expense, and risk of having an ENT clean it every 4 months! Drops of some sort?

Thanks for any advice.

[Kim in FL]

If this was an option, don't you think the ENT would've mentioned in one of your previous visits?

We can't answer that question here, you need to speak with your doctor.

[grampaTom]

I have 30 years experience as a Family Medicine Doc. Auditory canal eczema is COMMON!!!!
For some, otc hydrocortisone cream is all it takes to keep it under control.
Sometimes you need to see a dermatologist for steroid ear drops and possibly an antifungal (there's a relationship with malasthesia furfur).
Sounds weird but it's a derm problem that some ENT docs don't seem to address well -- just been my experience.

[va_lucky]

Originally Posted by Kim in FL

If this was an option, don't you think the ENT would've mentioned in one of your previous visits?

We can't answer that question here, you need to speak with your doctor.

Sorry, but I don't sit automatically trust every doctor I meet just like I don't automatically trust mechanics and all for obvious reasons.

[va_lucky]

Originally Posted by grampaTom

I have 30 years experience as a Family Medicine Doc. Auditory canal eczema is COMMON!!!!
For some, otc hydrocortisone cream is all it takes to keep it under control.
Sometimes you need to see a dermatologist for steroid ear drops and possibly an antifungal (there's a relationship with malasthesia furfur).
Sounds weird but it's a derm problem that some ENT docs don't seem to address well -- just been my experience.

Thanks for your post and pm. I'll head over to one when I can. I appreciate it.