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Cause of Dry Skin On Ear Cartilage & Its Symptoms, Treatments, Home Remedies

Dry skin on ear cartilage, also known as xerosis is not serious in most of the cases. However, it can cause discomfort, hence it is important to know about the symptoms, causes, treatment and home remedies for dry skin on ear cartilage.

Dry Skin On Ear Cartilage

Dry skin on ear cartilage can be embarrassing due to its appearance, while it can be difficult to manage too. Fine lines and wrinkles can appear from under the dry skin which can make your skin look older. If the reason for the dry skin on ear cartilage is environmental, you can treat it with simple home remedies. But in some cases, it can be caused by serious skin conditions in which case, medical consultation is needed for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms of Dry Skin on Ear Cartilage

Dry skin can appear on any part of your body and most of the times it is just a temporary condition. However, in some cases it can be a sign of associated health problem, hence knowing the symptoms of dry skin on ear cartilage helps. In winters, because of the dry air, you can find patches of dry skin on the ear cartilage. If the outer ear’s skin gets dry, you will feel tightness in the ear especially when you finish taking a bath.

The skin on the ear cartilage shrinks and gets dehydrated at the time making it feel rough. You can also feel itching sensation and find flakes of skin. In some cases, peels of skin also come off. The dry skin can cause deep fissures as well which can lead to bleeding and infection.

Causes of Dry Skin on Ear Cartilage

Causes of Dry Skin on Ear Cartilage

When it comes to the causes of dry skin on ear cartilage, the list can be very long. The commonest cause, however, is the weather. During winters when the humidity level is at the lowest, you can experience dry skin. If you are using central heating or air conditioning units at home or at the office, you are living in a low humidity environment which can cause dryness in your skin especially around the ear.

Some of the causes of dry skin on ear cartilage also include medical conditions like psoriasis and thyroid disorders which can cause dry skin on ear cartilage. Environmental reasons can be cured with home remedies while other underlying health issues may require medical attention for appropriate treatment.

Treatment for Dry Skin on Ear Cartilage

There are many cases of dry skin on ear cartilage which will require medical attention. Your doctor may suggest some ointments to get rid of the dry skin, which is the commonest treatment for dry skin on ear cartilage. He may also suggest some medicine in case of acute fissures to avoid infection. There are a few medical conditions like psoriasis which can cause dry skin on the ear cartilage. In such cases, the medication for the health problem is prescribed by the doctor.

In some cases, dry skin on ear cartilage can lead to dermatitis and cause itchiness and redness around the affected area. In such cases, the doctor will prescribe hydrocortisone creams or lotions. The doctor may also ask you to opt for dressing if there are secretions and fissures to reduce the chances of an infection. These are the various treatments for dry skin on ear cartilage and the most appropriate one can be chosen with medical advice.

Home Remedies for Dry Skin on Ear Cartilage

When dry skin is caused by environmental reasons, you can take a few steps and use some natural treatment options. Many home remedies for dry skin on ear cartilage can effectively help you get rid of the problem. You can use moisturizers that can stay on your skin for a longer period of time because of their thickness. You can place a humidifier at home or office to add humidity in the air. This will help in getting rid of the dry skin.

Keeping your skin hydrated is one of the most effective home remedies for dry skin on ear cartilage. You should take shorter showers and make sure the water is lukewarm. When you want to dry your skin with a towel after bath make sure not to rub the affected area and only pat-dry with a towel. After drying the affected area make sure you apply moisturizer which will keep your skin cool and hydrated.

Warnings

There are some health issues like eczema or atopic dermatitis that can occur due to prolonged dry skin. If dry skin leads to eczema, you will find redness and inflammation around the affected area. There is one other health problem known as folliculitis which is also caused by untreated dry skin, which is basically inflammation of the hair follicles. Another health problem is cellulitis which is a bacterial infection. If left untreated, it can enter your lymphatic system and bloodstream.

There are a lot of health problems, medication, food and weather conditions that can cause dry skin on ear cartilage. In most of the cases it is treatable at home but to be on safer side, you should consult a doctor and get the dry patch tested for associated health problems. If you get fissure on the affected area, it is better to seek medical opinion at the earliest.

References:

  1. Mayo Clinic. (2019). Dry Skin. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/symptoms-causes/syc-20353885
  2. Medical News Today. (2021). What can cause itchy ears? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323892

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:August 30, 2023

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