Everything You Need to Know About Dry Ears

Dry lips, dry hands, and even a dry scalp could all mean a lack of hydration. They could even be the result of extremely cold weather robbing your skin of its natural oils. But dry ears? Those are a whole other story. They are usually caused by different skin conditions that demand your attention. But that’s not all. They cause flaky skin, irritation, itchiness and can even be aesthetically disconcerting. So, what can you do about it? 

Like any skin problem, there’s plenty to be done – especially when it comes to prevention. But before we review treatment options, let’s unpack the causes of those dehydrated ears. Then, we’ll tell you all you need to know about keeping your ears supple and smooth. 

We’ll tell you all you need to know about keeping your ears supple and smooth.

Why So Dry? 

Your ears might be the most neglected part of your body. Which makes sense in a way – they’re not really a part of your face, and if you have slightly longer hair, they might even be partially covered up. However, truth be told, they need all the care you can spare. Think about it, they’re delicate organs, intricate and sensitive. And according to doctors, they’re the most neglected organ in the human body. Which is part of the reason they tend to dry up and flake. 

Though cold weather could affect your dry ears, the cause is usually skin conditions that gradually build up. For instance, using harsh soaps or shampoos on your hair could literally rub your skin the wrong way. The causes could also be too much sun exposure, stress, and even your smoking habits. However, the most common cause is a chronic skin condition, such as psoriasis, dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), or eczema. And believe it or not, their impact on your ears can be prevented and treatable. 

The cold weather could affect your dry ears.

An Earful About Treatments

Before we go into prevention, let’s help you treat those dry ears. There are a couple of things that you can do. So we broke them down into a couple of crucial thumb rules: 

Tip #1 – Restore Moisture: Dry ears are just another way of saying that your skin needs to be hydrated. You can choose natural oils, like coconut oil, just make sure that you never drizzle it into your ear. But your next choice is a potent moisturizer that will restore hydration to your ears. Once again, don’t apply in your ear, but rather around it. 

Tip #2 – Switch It Up: We mean your usual soaps and products. You might not know it now, but your existing products might be flaring up your dry ears. Try switching up your shampoo, or even covering your ears in the shower. After a week or so, you might see a change. 

Tip #3 – Don’t Scratch That Itch: That’s a good tip for any skin condition, especially for dry skin. The contact with your fingers might introduce new bacteria to your already inflamed skin, and rob whatever moisture your ears might have. Focus on cooling your ears down rather than scratching them. 

Tip #4 – Lay Off Q-Tips: We’re not telling you to neglect your ears’ cleanliness, but even experts claim that you might not have to clean your ears at all. The ear is an organ that self-cleans, so those cotton swabs might in fact harm your ear. Plus, it could carry the wax and dirt to other parts of your ear and worsen any skin condition you might have. 

The ear is an organ that self-cleans, so those cotton swabs might in fact harm your ear.

Prevention is Always Key 

The best tip we can possibly give you (except for restoring your dry ears’ moisture) is to focus on prevention. Which calls to check your daily routine and habits. This also has to do with tip #2. If you’ve realized that your skin doesn’t respond to your usual shampoo, it’s time to change to a solution that understands men’s skin. This is also true for your shaving gel (that might be reaching your ears) and even your hair dye. Plus, if you’re a regular swimmer, chlorine allergy should also be a suspect. 

Aside from direct contact, there are other habits that might be harming your skin. Habits that might be drying your skin up. Check out our list of tips for hydrating your skin from within. These include a warm reminder to up your water intake, change your diet, and add a couple of foods known to replenish the skin. 

The best tip we can possibly give you is to focus on prevention.

Dry Ears – The End 

Though dry ears are often easily treated at home, there are certain cases in which you should see a healthcare specialist. For instance, if the skin on your ears or around it doesn’t seem to respond well to your simple home treatments. Another reason to see your doctor is if you experience ear pain or flare-ups. Whatever you do, don’t neglect your ears and ear skin, since it’s a sensitive organ prone to infections. Just keep your eyes (and ears) open and don’t forget your ears need love and care.