Is there anything worse than an itch you can’t scratch? During perimenopause, that infuriating itch could be coming from your ear canal.

Following advice circulating on social media, some women are putting Flonase in their ears to relieve the itch.

One Reddit user wrote, “I just tried this last night and holy cow, it was almost instantaneous.” Another added, “I tried this, and it has been life-changing!”

Anecdotally, this hack is helpful for some people, but is it safe? Here’s what you should know.

Why Do Your Ears Itch in Perimenopause and Menopause?

You’re not imagining things. Allergic contact dermatitis and eczema are some of the most commonly reported skin conditions among perimenopausal and menopausal women.

As estrogen levels drop, the skin’s protective barrier thins, allowing the skin to dry out faster and more severely than in the past.

“When we’re in menopause, we undergo skin changes when we have declining levels of estrogen. If you’re already prone to dry skin or eczema, it might become even more apparent during menopause,” Dr. Cynthia Chuang, head of the virtual Menopause Clinic at Penn State Health’s Cocoa Outpatient Center, told ThisIsMenopause. “Some people are just itchy and dry all over, but for some, the ear canal is a place that is particularly affected,” she added.

Can Flonase Help Relieve Itchy Ears?

Flonase is one brand of fluticasone nasal spray (also sold as ClariSpray and FlutiCare), and it’s marketed for use in the nasal passage. Traditionally, doctors would prescribe a topical steroid cream for skin itching. However, Dr. Chuang said fluticasone nasal spray can relieve itching because it is also a steroid.

“It’s not uncommon for us to recommend putting hydrocortisone cream on the tip of your pinky and applying it to your ear canal,” Dr. Chuang explained. “Flonase is pretty much the same thing, as it is a steroid, but since it’s more liquid, some may find it easier to apply.”

Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a certified menopause practitioner through The Menopause Society and author of The New Menopause, recently told social media followers with itchy ears that they could try Flonase or use a cotton swab to apply a tiny amount of vaginal estradiol cream to the ear canal.

Is Flonase Safe for Your Ears?

Not all physicians agree that fluticasone nasal spray is safe for your ears. In a recent TikTok video, Dr. Zachary Rubin, a board-certified allergist, noted that prolonged or frequent topical steroid use can thin the skin, making the problem even worse.

Instead, Dr. Rubin recommended using a humidifier and moisturizing ear drops.

Fluticasone nasal spray is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat itchy ears. There also isn’t much research on how well it works for ear itching. Before using any medication in a way that’s not listed on the label, talk with your healthcare provider.

Safe Application

Regardless of what you’re putting in your ears, physicians always caution against using cotton swabs in the ear canal. Dr. Chuang suggested either squirting the medication on the tip of your pinky or saturating a cotton ball and gently squeezing it into the ear to trickle down.

She also advised against putting the tip of a spray bottle directly in the ear, as it could create a seal that could harm the eardrum.

People with ear pain, drainage, hearing loss, ear tubes, or a perforated eardrum should avoid putting medications into the ear canal unless instructed by a healthcare provider.

Relief Alternatives

Using Flonase or another fluticasone nasal spray may be a more expensive way to relieve your itchy ears. Hydrocortisone creams or moisturizing ear drops might be a more affordable option to start with. Some Reddit users said petroleum jelly helped soothe their itchy ears.

Talk to your doctor about any new perimenopause symptoms before trying a new medication. They can give you advice based on your health history.