What is the permanent remedy for dry and itchy ear?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

With the details you have given I understand that your mother aged 50 years has been having itching in the left ear since a month which gets temporarily relieved with the application of oil. Also, an ENT consultant has ruled out any local pathology or wax or ear drum abnormalities. My judgement is that it is to do with the dryness that you also have noted. The flakiness of skin contributes to the increased skin turnover, which is why there is itching and discomfort. I would suggest the regular application of oil, using the ear bud dipped in oil (say olive oil or Vaseline) and applied around the hole, the most lateral part of ear canal. Take adequate care that you do not go deep and injure or rub the ear drum. Also, you may keep a cotton plug with oil (after squeezing extra oil from it) inside the said ear while taking bath. This will prevent the entry of water and soap into the ear, which generally wash off the skin surface oils and aggravate dryness. Second, I would like to reassure you that whatever flakiness occurs inside the canal, the ear canal skin has an inherent mechanism to drive out the particles. The skin grows outwards and whatever debris present gets pushed out gradually. However, in a few persons the canal may be narrow or the production of debris may be faster than its removal necessitating an ENT consult. I also suggest her tablet Lorfast 10 mg (Loratadine), if there is intense itching. Third, it is always wise to rule out any other systemic cause for the itching. It is advised to rule out diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypertension, anemia, etc. For the same please get the following investigations done.

Another possibility is eustachian tube catarrh, which causes tubal block and associated decreased ventilation of the middle ear and consequent feeling of itching. The same can be controlled using the Lorfast tablet. Hope to get back from you. If you provide the above details with investigation reports and prescription of previous consultation, then we can help you better. Hope your mother gets better soon.