“My ears are very itchy and dry. They flake on the outside and the inside,” a member of MyLupusTeam shared. Another wrote, “I get itchy scabs on my ears whenever I have flare-ups.”

Ear itching, ear rash, and ear pain can be bothersome and confusing when you live with lupus. Lupus can affect the skin on and around the ears, especially when cutaneous lupus causes rashes or sores. But an earache also has many possible causes, so don’t assume lupus is always to blame.

In this article, we share which types of lupus might be most likely to cause earaches and itching, other potential reasons your ears may hurt or itch, and strategies to discuss with your doctor to help you find relief.

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Lupus Earaches and Itchy Ears

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder. In autoimmune disorders, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, which can lead to inflammation and pain in many parts of the body.

Common symptoms include fatigue, joint pain or swelling, photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight or some indoor light), hair loss, and mouth sores.

Lupus-related ear symptoms are usually skin changes on the outer ear or nearby skin. If pain feels deep inside the ear canal, another cause, such as an infection, earwax buildup, throat pain, or dental problems, may be more likely.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common type of lupus. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), a type of lupus affecting the skin, can cause skin lesions or rashes. In a 2021 study of people with active CLE lesions, 76.8 percent had itching.

CLE includes three main types:

• Acute CLE often appears suddenly and is commonly associated with systemic lupus.
• Subacute CLE usually causes sun-sensitive rashes that may form rings or scaly patches.
• Chronic CLE often lasts longer and can cause scarring or skin discoloration.

Discoid Lupus Affecting the Ear

Discoid lupus, a type of chronic cutaneous lupus, is the form of skin lupus most likely to affect the ears. Discoid lupus tends to affect the scalp, ears, and face and causes raised, scaly, disc-shaped skin lesions. These lesions may itch, burn, or hurt and can become crusted. They may affect the inside and outside of the ear, as well as the earlobe and cheek. Lesions may also develop on other areas of the body.

“I have discoid lupus,” said one member. “Mine gets really red and itchy and hurts. Sometimes, it bleeds. It’s mostly on my face and ears.” Another member commented, “My scalp, ears, and face itch and burn.”

Ear Rash and Itching With Other Types of Cutaneous Lupus

Acute cutaneous lupus is associated with malar rash, a butterfly-shaped rash that spreads across the nose and cheeks of some people with lupus. It can be itchy, but it’s not a typical explanation for itchy ears. When acute cutaneous lupus affects areas beyond the face, it may appear on the arms and legs.

Subacute cutaneous lupus generally affects the chest, arms, and back. It rarely develops on the face. It is unlikely to be the cause of your itchy ears.

Other Causes of Earache, Ear Rash, and Itching

It’s possible that your itchy ears or earache are unrelated to your lupus diagnosis. Ear pain can come from ear infections, earwax buildup, dental problems, or throat problems.

One common ear canal problem is otitis externa, also called swimmer’s ear. It’s inflammation of the skin in the ear canal and can cause itching, pain, discomfort, and dry, flaky skin around the ear opening.

Outer ear infections can be triggered by irritation from eczema, water, or earplugs, as well as by bacterial or fungal infections. Itchy ears could also be related to skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, or to an allergy to nickel in earrings.

A primary care provider can advise you on these issues or refer you to a dermatologist to evaluate eczema, psoriasis, or lupus-related skin changes.

Join the Conversation

On MyLupusTeam, people share their experiences with lupus, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Do you have an earache or itchy ears with lupus? Let others know in the comments below.