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Suggest Treatment For Allergic Dermatitis Of The Ear

Posted on Tue, 7 Oct 2014

Question: I had a tympanoplasty done about 3 weeks ago to repair my preforated ear drum. Everything went very well, I finished my antibiotics after 4 days and stopped painkillers after 5 days. All I am still taking is Ofloxacin eardrops that I've been using every day (5 drops). About 4 days ago my ear started to itch very badly and now it is red and has gotten more swollen with little bumps on the back of my ear. My doctor prescribed me CiproFloxacin antibiotics and I have been taking them for 3 days but am not seeing any improvement at all. I am worried the reason for the swelling and redness of my entire ear is because of the Ofloxacin ear drops and I read that CiproFloxacin is basically the same as Ofloxacin so I could be doubling the damage. However my doctor doesn't think its the ear drops because she says that only a certain place of my ear would be red and itchy and not the whole ear. But the only thing I was still taking are the ear drops, other than that nothing has changed or happened recently. The odd thing is though that I am having no discharge, It just itches. What do you guys reckon I do? And what are the side effects of cold turkey stopping the Ofloxacin and CiproFloxacin? I am quite desperate because I am going back to school across the country on Monday and do not want my ear looking like this

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Allergic dermatitis of the ear...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query and an elaborate history. I have gone through the history thoroughly, examined the photo and understood your problem. I will try my best to help you with this.

After examining the image, I am of the opinion that the red rashes seen on the pinna and the post-auricular region may be allergic dermatitis secondary to the drops you have used. If it were to be a mere infection of the pinna, it would have subsided with the antibiotic. Hence, I do strongly feel, it could be allergic dermatitis, which will require the help of an apt dermatologist to treat this condition.

I would stop both the drops and ciprofloxacin tablets. You can take OTC fexofenadine or cetrizine to reduce the itching. Consult a good dermatologist at the earliest. The doctor may prescribe some anti-allergic tablets and steroid cream to reduce the rashes.

Hope I have answered your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (35 minutes later)

I won't be able to contact a dermatology office anytime soon because they are closed on weekends and I will be flying across country on Monday and will have to make an appointment in XXXXXXX Is this okay, to just take the fexofenadine for a while?

Also I still have the Gelfoam packing in my ear, will this dissolve even when I am not using the eardrops?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You can take fexofenadine at present...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

1. Yes, you can take fexofenadine at present.

2. No need to worry about the gelfoam, it will melt down by itself and clear off.

3. Keep your ear dry. Contact your doctor whenever possible.

4. Please keep me informed about the outcome.

Wish you good health and good luck.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T