Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Itchy Ears

happygirl38

Recommended Posts

happygirl38 Rookie
happygirl38
Posted

Has anyone expeirenced internal itching of the ears, so bad that you scrape or dig until they bleed? I've been suffering with this for the past 4 years.

shelly

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


pumpkin Rookie
pumpkin
Posted

Yes. My allergist said it was just dry skin....NOT. I only get it after I have been glutened and I have not yet found a remedy for this maddening itch.

lonewolf Collaborator
lonewolf
Posted

YES! I didn't know that anyone else had this. I always thought it was psoriasis in there, since I have been fanatically gluten-free and it's still happening. I have been cheating a bit with eggs though, so maybe that's it. I have noticed that sometimes my ears start to itch with the first bite of something - somtimes even with a glass of water. I've even had infections in there and had to get antibiotic ear drops.

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

YES!! I had an itching in my right ear that, I swear, lasted for years. Since I've been taking antihistimines regularly, it has gone away. It was a constant itch deep inside my ear--no redness or anything like that. Strange--I now have something similar going on with my left eye. The antihistimines help for a while, but it keeps coming back. The ear, though, seems to be gone completely (knock wood!)

DonnaD Apprentice
DonnaD
Posted

Oddly enough - Itchy ears was a question my new diet doctor asked me today with regard to yeast/unfriendly bacteria overgrowth. Getting tested ASAP. I get through loads of q-tips!

happygirl38 Rookie
happygirl38
Posted
  • Author
YES!! I had an itching in my right ear that, I swear, lasted for years. Since I've been taking antihistimines regularly, it has gone away. It was a constant itch deep inside my ear--no redness or anything like that. Strange--I now have something similar going on with my left eye. The antihistimines help for a while, but it keeps coming back. The ear, though, seems to be gone completely (knock wood!)

very interesting....my doc said it was from ear wax build up. But i've done the washes and all and it just doesn't go away. An most of the time it has a small odor to it....like a yeast infection smell that dogs get in their ears. NICE huh???

But honestly, I've known of no one personally with this dilemma, and I'm sorry that others are suffering, but it's nice to know that I'm not crazy or alone. I never suspected til now that it could be from food allergies, but know that it is worse at times then others. So it must be from what I eat.

I'm so overwhelmed that I don't even know where to begin with all of this gluten-free eating. Is it true that canned vegies are not gluten-free?

jnclelland Contributor
jnclelland
Posted

My sister gets this symptom as an allergic reaction to yeast.

Jeanne

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


doggoneit28 Newbie
doggoneit28
Posted

Ever since being diagnosed in OCT 05, I continue to recognize little things that must be CS related yet have been going on forever . My inner ears have been itching for over 12 years. Sometimes a small itch; sometimes so intense that I find myself digging with whatever I can get my hands on. The first doctor I mentioned it to said, "well, don't scratch them." Thank you very much! I use hydrocortisone cream but it must be reapplied every few days.

Carolita Rookie
Carolita
Posted

It could be yeast. Stay away from yeast for a while to see if it helps. I have had it before but not too much but I was diagnosed with Candida as well as Celiac D. I'm on a yeast free diet as well plus allergy shots and daily dosages of Nystatin. You can also talk to an allergist who believes in Candida Albican to see if you have yeast problems.

Hope you feel better soon,

Carol ;)

Guest Viola
Guest Viola
Posted

Mine is an allergy. I get it anytime the wind is blowing even a little and anytime I cut fabric. From the fabric dust. I'm a quilt teacher, so that one happens a lot :( But I've had it for years also. Allergy pills helps a bit, but not completely.

colorado kathy Newbie
colorado kathy
Posted

I've had this problem for quite awhile, too. I was diagnosed w/ DH, so I assumed that is what it was, since the itching is so intense and it will occasionally bleed. I've been gluten-free since Jan. 23 and everything has been much better, except the scalp and ears (which were the worst). I know it takes months for the diet to work completely, but you all have other interesting theories. I have used a mild hydrocortisone cream, but it hasn't helped too much and I don't like to use it unless I'm desperate. Sometimes even just a good lotion helps keep the itching down to where I can heal a little. At least we're not alone.

gabby Enthusiast
gabby
Posted

My left ear itches like there's a tiny butterfly fluttering around in there. NOTHING eases the itching! i haven't scratched until it bled, but I have thought about putting a fork down there to see if it helps. It took me eons to figure it out....but it turns out when I eat popcorn, I get the flutter. Not corn. Popcorn. plain, homemade in canola oil. I've been tested for corn allergy...and it came out negative. Turns out it is just one of those weird things for me. Maybe keep track of the itching and see if it is related to a specific food.

Stardust Valerie Newbie
Stardust Valerie
Posted

I get itchy ears too. I figured it had to do with gluten. Now I am wondering if it may have to do with yeast. It seems like the longer I am gluten free the more senisitivites show up, along with more symptoms of allergies.

pumpkin Rookie
pumpkin
Posted

I am convinced it's the celiac disease. I suspect I have DH b/c I get the itchy rash across the top of my cheeks whenever I accidently ingest gluten. I take allergy shots, Allegra D, Nasonex for seasonal allergies and my ear will still itch. Sometimes a Benedryl will ease the maddening ear itch but not enough for me to use it all the time. The itchy ear goes away when gluten gets out of my system.

  • 2 weeks later...
ms-sillyak-screwed Enthusiast
ms-sillyak-screwed
Posted

I have a confession to make....

Me too! I've been in denial.

tiredofdoctors Enthusiast
tiredofdoctors
Posted

Yes! I thought I was the only one who had that! I was so embarrassed, I wouldn't tell anybody! My rheumatologist actually diagnosed me with psoriatic arthritis based on my ears! He said that he could lift the skin -- it was silvery, and it bled underneath. They itch like crazy!!!!! :lol: The only thing that helped was when I was on either Methotrexate or Enbrel. It was heavenly that I didn't have this awful scratching / itching thing going on.

  • 4 years later...
uafnanook2001 Newbie
uafnanook2001
Posted

very interesting....my doc said it was from ear wax build up. But i've done the washes and all and it just doesn't go away. An most of the time it has a small odor to it....like a yeast infection smell that dogs get in their ears. NICE huh???

But honestly, I've known of no one personally with this dilemma, and I'm sorry that others are suffering, but it's nice to know that I'm not crazy or alone. I never suspected til now that it could be from food allergies, but know that it is worse at times then others. So it must be from what I eat.

I'm so overwhelmed that I don't even know where to begin with all of this gluten-free eating. Is it true that canned vegies are not gluten-free?

Wow! Even though these posts are old, they are helpful! I am 52 and self-diagnosed myself about a year ago. Both my mom and my aunt are diagnosed with celiac sprue. I did the Celiac ID spit test but it was negative. Still, I have been gluten free for about a year now, along with lactose free, and have done much better. Yet, this itchy ear I have had for 7 or 8 years doesn't seem to be getting any better. I also have DH, sometimes a mild case on my forearms, sometimes it looks hideous. I was told stress could do that and I am in a stressful job so I can't help that, I guess. Anyway, my right ear itches like crazy, smells bad most times, and, when I put a Q-Tip in there, it seems to be wet and stinks. I began telling my FP Dr. about it years ago. At first, he looked in there, with his otoscope, but saw nothing unusual. The next year, he gave me free drops to put in there but they burned so bad, I only tried them twice and threw them away. I have mentioned it to him in subsequent years but he always says he sees nothing. I don't know if I am still getting glutened or what?! My scalp itches a lot, too. I do eat popcorn (I noticed the post on popcorn) but not every day. I sure wish I could find out about my ear and how to make it stop! Thanks for all the posts!

Mtndog Collaborator
Mtndog
Posted

I too am an itchy ear sufferer. I have been gluten-free for 5 years and it has gotten MUCH better. I used to get ear infections chronically and also had eczema just at the entrance to my ear canal which would crack and bleed. It has gotten a lot better.

In 5 years since going gluten-free, I've had one ear infection instead of several a year and the eczema flares occasionally. When it does, I just use hydrocortisone cream.

Oddly enough - Itchy ears was a question my new diet doctor asked me today with regard to yeast/unfriendly bacteria overgrowth. Getting tested ASAP. I get through loads of q-tips!

The yeast connection also makes sense as I am flaring right now and I'm on antibiotics.

very interesting....my doc said it was from ear wax build up.

I think this contributes too as I have narrow ear canals and a LOT of wax.

  • 5 years later...
LindaMarieIsGlutenFree Newbie
LindaMarieIsGlutenFree
Posted

Many interesting theories here about why you might have intense itchiness deep inside your ears! For me, it turned out to be corn. After being strictly gluten free for a couple of years, I began to develop this problem and struggled for a long time to figure out what was causing it. After a lot of experimentation, I realized it was corn. From what I understand, it is very common to have problems with corn if you have celiac disease/DH, and that has turned out to be the case with myself and several other affected members of my family, unfortunately.

Consuming corn doesn't always elicit an obvious reaction, but any time I do have the itchy ears, I can always trace it back to having had corn (or some ingredient derived from corn) within the last 12 - 24 hours. There appears to be a certain threshold that must be reached before I experience symptoms but even that is unpredictable. I have found I need to eliminate it entirely or else I end up eventually suffering the consequences (itchiness can get so bad that I can't sleep sometimes!) and it's just not worth it.

  • 9 months later...
francois3 Newbie
francois3
Posted

Hi,

I got cured by a plant. I had creazy itchy ears crises for over 5years!  Finally  good solution after tried all...

Post is quite old here but let me know if you want any details.

  • 1 year later...
dks-girl Newbie
dks-girl
Posted

what is the plant that cured you?  I'm desperate for relief.  I am certain the digging will make me deaf before I find how to stop it.  I, too, identified corn and products a problem but there is either something else (I'm already avoiding gluten) or I'm getting corn products without realizing it.  Please let me know!!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,553
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jennifer CCC
    Newest Member
    Jennifer CCC
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Taken Seriously

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      Looking for a gluten-free roomie in Denver CO

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Allergy medication: cetirizine by the HealthA2Z is it gluten free?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      Protein or fat?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      Diagnosed celiac for 1-2 months ago and everything makes me bloated.

      By Beverage · Posted

      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.