DEAR DR. GOTT: You heard from a reader with extreme itching of the ear canals. I, too, had this problem and tried anything to relieve it. My doctor suggested taking a new bottle of rubbing alcohol, removing two tablespoons of it and replacing it with two tablespoons of white vinegar. I apply it with a cotton swab that I use to clean my ears and haven’t had the itching since. I used it with itching in my bellybutton, and it cleared that up as well. I now try it first on almost any skin irritation, and it resolves the problem most of the time.

DEAR READER: Cotton swabs shouldn’t be used to clean the ear canals. They can push wax further into the ear, damaging the eardrum. [Read more...]

DEAR DR. GOTT: For years, I have had itching in my ear canal. At times, I wake myself up scratching my ears with my nails. This causes abrasions, pain and a buildup of residue. At times, there is a buildup of what appears to be dry skin. I have tried antibiotic and cortisone creams, olive oil and aloe vera, to no avail. Any suggestions? My doctor doesn’t have any.

DEAR READER: Many things can cause itchy ears. You could have a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis, an infection, allergy, inadequate amounts of wax production, a fungal infection and more.
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