Flaking occurs on the auricle with slight scraping.

Under normal circumstances, the presence of powder-like substances when scraping the earlobe may be related to normal metabolic debris, excessive sebum secretion, external otitis, external auditory canal eczema, or auricular furuncles. Patients are advised to follow medical instructions for symptomatic treatment. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Normal Metabolic Debris

White flakes appearing upon scraping the ear are generally considered normal metabolic byproducts. This occurs because the skin renews itself daily, leading to flaking. It is a normal phenomenon that does not require special treatment; maintaining local skin moisture and hydration is sufficient.

2. Excessive Sebum Secretion

If dirt can be scraped from the ear daily, it may result from overactive sebaceous glands causing blockage of the ear canal. Prolonged blockage may lead to bacterial infection, resulting in symptoms such as itching and unpleasant odor in the ear. Under medical guidance, medications such as levofloxacin hydrochloride ear drops or boric acid ointment may be used for relief.

3. External Otitis

External otitis refers to inflammatory changes in the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the external auditory canal caused by various factors. Symptoms include ear pain, itching, increased ear discharge, and swelling. Some patients may notice skin flakes when cleaning their ears. Topical antibiotic ointments such as erythromycin ointment or mupirocin ointment may be applied as directed by a physician.

4. External Auditory Canal Eczema

External auditory canal eczema is an allergic condition affecting the ear canal and surrounding areas. When present, symptoms may include blisters, scaling, itching, and yellow exudate in the ear canal. Treatment under medical supervision may include oral antihistamines such as loratadine tablets or cetirizine hydrochloride tablets.

5. Auricular Furuncle (Ear Canal Boil)

An auricular furuncle is a localized inflammation caused by infection of hair follicles and surrounding tissues in the cartilaginous portion of the external ear canal. Symptoms include ear pain, increased ear discharge, and pus drainage. Under medical guidance, treatments may include oral antibiotics such as amoxicillin capsules or levofloxacin tablets. In some cases, incision and drainage surgery may be required.

In addition, this condition may also be associated with psoriasis. If patients experience discomfort or unusual symptoms, they should seek timely medical evaluation at a hospital to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.