Topical JAK (Janus Kinase) Inhibitor Therapy for Chronic External Otitis in Atopic Dermatitis: A Case Report

Atopic dermatitis (AD) often presents challenges in treating external ear lesions and frequently exhibits resistance to conventional therapies. This case report describes a 49-year-old male patient with a history of AD and habitual ear cleaning who developed chronic external otitis that was refractory to topical steroids and steroid ear drops. The patient demonstrated significant improvement following the administration of a topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, delgocitinib ointment. Delgocitinib effectively suppressed interleukin-31 (IL-31), thereby interrupting the itch-scratch cycle and facilitating the resolution of inflammation. This case suggests that delgocitinib ointment is a promising therapeutic alternative for refractory external ear eczema in patients with AD. Further studies are warranted to evaluate its long-term efficacy and safety in otological applications.