So um, want to help me with an ear problem?

Passanie

I feel silly posting this, but I think I've got some kind of dermatitis on the outer edge of my ear. It's red and itchy and dry. From what I find online, either medicated dandruff shampoos or corticosteriod creams can help. I can't figure out what the heck a corticosteroid cream is. I'm assuming there's some version of it over the counter, right? I can't find any brand names, only drug names. Has anyone ever had this before?

(And no, I don't want to go to a doctor, especially since I haven't hit my deductible and I don't feel like spending $100+ on an itchy ear.)

CarFar

I'd just try any cream with cortisone in it ? 

pkw

Try a hydro-cortizon first.  Skip the cream and get the gooey one.  That will help keep it moist and less itchy far longer than the creams.  Just get the generic ones.  I forget what the % OTC is, but I think it comes in .05% and 1%, I have prescription ones for my dermatological issues so I can't really just look at mine and tell you.

They work well, if it doesn't work you might need to bite the bullet and go in because if it does need to be treated by a shampoo type item, the one you need is not currently being sold.  It is Nizoral which is a ketacortizone and so it is only by prescription right now in the 2% and higher strengths.  Don't try the tar shampoos or anything like that because the will not help for what you are describing.

You can see if you can fine a ketacortizone online, but that can be sketchy since 70% of the time what you buy online (unless from a reputible site) will not be what is inside.  These in particular are often fake via online. 

ETA: Ointment!  That is what the greasy one is called.  And it does come in 1% and 0.5%, go for the 1%.  I know greasy sounds unappealing but I promise it works 100 times better than creams. 

Passanie

PKW:

Try a hydro-cortizon first.  Skip the cream and get the gooey one.  That will help keep it moist and less itchy far longer than the creams.  Just get the generic ones.  I forget what the % OTC is, but I think it comes in .05% and 1%, I have prescription ones for my dermatological issues so I can't really just look at mine and tell you.

ETA: Ointment!  That is what the greasy one is called.  And it does come in 1% and 0.5%, go for the 1%.  I know greasy sounds unappealing but I promise it works 100 times better than creams. 

OK, so I should just look for ointment with hydrocortison in it? That sounds familliar. I can probably find it in a drug store.

katrina_pharmd

Yep, I would get some hydrocortisone cream/ointment.  It is available OTC in 0.5% and 1%.  It should be near the Neosporin and other creams.  Apply a thin layer to the affected area, usually once or twice a day.  You should try not to use it for more than a week; if there is no improvement, you should probably see a doctor.  Hope that helps

wldktz10

Passanie:

 I can't figure out what the heck a corticosteroid cream is.

 I have eczema and use one on that. It's too bad your deductible is $100 because my prescription is like $3 for 2 tubes of cream that lasts me FOREVER.

Funny enough one of the places I get it is on my ear.

sm23

There are better health experts on here than me. Just wanted to say sorry about the ear problem - that sucks - and about your crazy deductible!

Passanie

Ah, sweet relief. Got some hydrocortisone cream (couldn't find the ointment) and it is 75% better. Thanks ladies! You rock.

wldktz10:

 I have eczema and use one on that. It's too bad your deductible is $100 because my prescription is like $3 for 2 tubes of cream that lasts me FOREVER.

Funny enough one of the places I get it is on my ear.

My deductible is $250. Can you see why I avoid going to the doctor? Aetna sucks.

hannikan

Passanie:

Aetna sucks.

Aetna does suck. That's who we had when Drew first had pressure sores and surgeries. We had all kinds of problems with them. Of course, I would give anything to have them now!

sm23

Passanie:

Ah, sweet relief. Got some hydrocortisone cream (couldn't find the ointment) and it is 75% better. Thanks ladies! You rock.

wldktz10:

 I have eczema and use one on that. It's too bad your deductible is $100 because my prescription is like $3 for 2 tubes of cream that lasts me FOREVER.

Funny enough one of the places I get it is on my ear.

My deductible is $250. Can you see why I avoid going to the doctor? Aetna sucks.

No better options at work? A $250 deductible is actually not the worst I've heard. My parents have something crazy like $1500.

wldktz10

Passanie:

Ah, sweet relief. Got some hydrocortisone cream (couldn't find the ointment) and it is 75% better. Thanks ladies! You rock.

wldktz10:

 I have eczema and use one on that. It's too bad your deductible is $100 because my prescription is like $3 for 2 tubes of cream that lasts me FOREVER.

Funny enough one of the places I get it is on my ear.

My deductible is $250. Can you see why I avoid going to the doctor? Aetna sucks.

I've had Aetna on two different occasions. One time sucked (it was through my mom and every time anyone went to the doctor who was not her she had to file a claim as if we were going out of network which was absolutely ridiculous) and the other time was great (through a hospital I used to work with. It was amazingly easy and wonderful. XH had an ER visit that cost us around $100 and we paid nothing for his ambulence ride). So I think it just depends on what your company negotiates for.