Abstract

Objective: To assess the dermatological causes of itching in the ear canal, for accurate diagnosis and timely management.
Methodology: This prospective observational study was conducted from 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024 at Niazi Welfare Foundation Teaching Hospital as a collaborative project of the department of dermatology and otorhinolaryngology. All patients aged 15-70 years who presented with complaints of itch in the ears, for >3 weeks, recruited via simple random sampling and were sent to the dermatology clinic to rule out skin disorders. Patients with actively discharging ear infections or impacted wax obstructing the ear canal were excluded. SPSS 23 was used for the statistical analysis.
Results: Out of 227 patients, 52% were females and 48% males, with a mean age of 29.72±11.84 (range 16-70) years. The dermatological conditions causing itchy ears included seborrheic dermatitis (46.3%), atopic dermatitis (15%), scabies (13.2%), contact dermatitis (8.8%) and a few miscellaneous disorders. No specific dermatological condition was found in 1.3% of cases.
Conclusion: A variety of dermatological conditions may manifest with itchy ears, highlighting the need for an interdisciplinary approach. Timely collaboration ensures accurate diagnosis and effective management.

Key words: Atopic dermatitis, cerumen, contact dermatitis, otitis externa, psoriasis, scabies.