Seeking Help: Unexplained Issues with My Ear Canals
I am a 21-year-old female with a medical history that includes domestic violence, Factor V Leiden, asthma, elevated ANA and C3 levels, low IGA, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Recently, I have been experiencing some unusual and troubling issues with my ear canals. Despite multiple consultations, including visits to an ENT specialist and subsequent referrals to an immunologist and another ENT as well as a dermatologist, no one has been able to determine the cause of my symptoms. My ear canal seems to have flare-ups unpredictably, presenting with white patches and striations in red and white. The discomfort is significant, with episodes of swelling that sometimes completely shut the canal, accompanied by a burning sensation and considerable pain. I take great care not to use cotton swabs or insert any objects into my ears and do my best to prevent water from entering them, yet the situation persists. The only treatment that has brought me any level of comfort has been steroids and steroid drops. At this stage, we've excluded common fungal and bacterial infections, along with psoriasis as the potential cause of my condition. I'm open to any advice or recommendations you might have! Previously, I encountered inner ear infections, but those seem to have improved thanks to a nasal spray I was using. Now, it's solely the outer ear that remains an enigma. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read my message and offer insights!
Answers (1)

7/9/2025, 12:50:36 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear about the ongoing issues you're experiencing with your ear canals. Given the complexity of your medical history and the symptoms you’ve described, it's understandable that this situation is concerning for you. Let's focus on what you might do to manage your symptoms more effectively and explore potential next steps.
Key Points:
- You experience significant discomfort in your ear canals, characterized by white patches, swelling, and burning sensations.
- Despite various consultations, a definitive diagnosis has not yet been reached.
- You've found some relief with steroids and drops, but the situation remains unresolved.
Explanation:
It sounds like you may be dealing with a condition affecting the outer ear that could be allergic, inflammatory, or even related to your history of immune system issues considering your low IgA and elevated ANA levels. The unpredictability of flare-ups suggests that there could be triggers that are not yet identified, possibly including environmental factors or sensitivities.
Next Steps:
-
Identify Potential Triggers:
- Keep a detailed symptom diary to note when flare-ups occur and any potential triggers (foods, environmental allergens, stress, etc.). This can be invaluable in identifying patterns or potential irritants.
-
Consider Allergy Testing:
- If not already done, discuss the possibility of comprehensive allergy testing with your healthcare providers. Given your history with asthma and immune issues, identifying any environmental or contact allergens could help manage symptoms.
-
Modify Your Environment:
- Ensure that your living space is free from allergens (like dust, pet dander, or molds). Regular cleaning can help, as well as using air purifiers if necessary.
-
Gentle Care Practices:
- Since you already avoid cotton swabs, consider applying a gentle, hypoallergenic moisturizer to the outer ear (not inside) if comfort allows, particularly after washing or exposure to water. This can help maintain moisture balance without causing irritation.
-
Discuss Treatment Options:
- Since steroid drops provide some relief, work closely with your doctor to optimize this treatment. Ask if there's an option to adjust the dosage or try a different formulation to better manage inflammation and pain.
-
Regular Monitoring:
- Schedule follow-ups with your ENT or dermatologist to review your symptoms regularly. Keeping them informed about any patterns or changes can aid in managing your condition more effectively.
-
Evaluate Systemic Factors:
- Given your medical history, discuss with your healthcare provider whether any systemic issues related to your immune system could be influencing your ear problems.
It’s important to advocate for yourself and remain engaged with your healthcare team, especially given the lack of definitive answers so far. Keep pursuing comfort and improvements in your quality of life. If new symptoms arise or if your current symptoms worsen, stay vigilant and relay that information to your providers promptly. Please take care!
Related Questions
Assessing Blood Loss: When to Seek Medical Attention
A 43-year-old woman's experience sheds light on a serious health concern. She is a non-smoker, abstains from alcohol, and has a weight of 120 pounds. Recently, she underwent extensive abdominal surgery due to stage 3 rectal cancer, which involved the removal of her anus, rectum, and a significant portion of her large intestine, resulting in the creation of a stoma. This morning, she experienced abdominal discomfort coupled with noticeable bleeding in her ostomy bag. Feeling lightheaded, she decided to rest on a bed pad and utilized gauze to absorb the blood rather than risking further mess in her bag. The blood is emanating from her intestine, particularly from the area where stools typically exit, rather than from the surgical site itself. To manage the situation, she has been collecting the blood-soaked gauze in a bucket until they become fully saturated. Concerned about her condition, she seeks clarity on how much blood loss—whether by hourly measures or soaked dressing—would necessitate a trip to the emergency room. Additionally, she is pondering whether it would be wise to increase her water intake to compensate for potential blood loss. Earlier, she also noticed red vomit, which has made her cautious about consuming fluids quickly, as she fears it might trigger another bout of vomiting. As a single parent, she aims to avoid a hospital visit unless absolutely necessary.
Urgent Help Needed
I’m a 21-year-old female, weighing 174 pounds and standing 5’4”. Some health concerns began following unprotected intercourse. Lately, I've been dealing with frequent brown spotting alongside sharp, stabbing pains in my vaginal area, a tingling sensation, and a bothersome itchy feeling. Initially, the brown discharge occurred sporadically, but now it has become quite persistent, with no more than two days passing without noticing it. Additionally, my urethra sometimes appears red and swollen. I want to clarify that I’m not pregnant and have never used birth control. I've been tested for various STIs and yeast infections, although I haven't yet been assessed for HSV. Unfortunately, this issue has persisted for seven months. I’ve consulted four different gynecologists, and they all have said that my examinations appear normal. The most recent doctor suggested that my symptoms might stem from anxiety and stress, possibly linked to my previous relationship. I developed a fear of potentially catching something from my ex, which could be affecting me. Admittedly, I find that when I’m not preoccupied with worry, I feel perfectly fine most of the time, but I can’t shake off the anxiety about the brown spotting when I wipe. It feels unsettling and far from what I consider a normal condition. In terms of treatment, I have attempted various approaches including irritation creams, metronidazole, five doses of diflucan, clindamycin, and I’m currently trying an estrogen cream.
Persistent Leg Infection: Seeking Advice After Two Months
Hello everyone, I’m a 20-year-old male dealing with a stubborn leg infection that has lasted for approximately two months. I’m reaching out for any advice or insights you might have on this situation. I’d love to hear your thoughts on what could be causing this issue, any lifestyle modifications that might help, and whether I should be particularly concerned about my condition. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated! I previously posted about this but didn’t include images, as many requested to see them. Therefore, I’m creating this new thread. For more details about my health, the medication I’m currently taking, and some background about myself, please refer to the link below: [Link to additional post] Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I look forward to your responses!
Experiencing Vision Disturbances: What Could It Be?
A 28-year-old woman has a family background marked by heart disease and hypertension. While working in her accounting role today, she experienced a peculiar visual phenomenon—a wavy, rainbow-like line appeared in her sight. This isn't the first occurrence; she recalls similar episodes at a previous high-stress job, but today she didn’t feel exceptionally pressured, despite some responsibilities weighing on her due to her regular partner being on vacation and her having to train a new colleague. However, the situation escalated as her peripheral vision in her right eye became increasingly affected. Afterward, she went home and took a nap, during which she also started to feel somewhat dizzy and nauseous, symptoms that were atypical compared to prior incidents. She has been taking citalopram for her anxiety for nearly nine years and feels worried about this episode. She wonders whether it is common for ocular migraines to manifest at this stage of life since she has never dealt with migraines before, with her first experience occurring only last year.
Assessing Functional Stomach Pain Without Additional Testing
Medications: None prescribed Chronic health issues: None noted I took my 3-year-old daughter to the doctor after she had been expressing discomfort in her stomach several times a day for the past three months. This began following a gastrointestinal infection for which she did not receive treatment at that time. During the consultation, after reviewing her medical history and examining her abdomen, the physician diagnosed her with functional stomach pain. The suggested course of action included incorporating probiotics into her diet, along with increasing her intake of fruits, vegetables, and water. While I found this explanation acceptable, my husband believes that additional tests should have been conducted to exclude other potential problems. We have since tried these recommendations, although we have not seen any improvement thus far. Interestingly, her stomach issues seem to occur independently of mealtimes or specific food items. We even attempted to reduce her dairy consumption to observe any changes, but there were no noticeable effects. She does mention her stomach discomfort more frequently when experiencing emotional distress, although this is not consistently the case. On a regular basis, she has bowel movements, typically several times a day, with stools primarily soft and occasional instances of diarrhea. Hard stools occur less than once a month. There are no urinary concerns to report.