We’ve all had that itch that seemed impossible to reach.
You might think about this in a couple of different ways: The first thing you may think of is that bucket list item you just never seem to get done. Or, if you’re a little less of a romantic, you consider that spot on your back that you just can’t quite scratch.
That’s so frustrating! Desperately attempting to scratch that itchy spot on your back. It’s the reason why back-scratchers exist.
Sadly, there isn’t a device that can get rid of itching inside of your ears. Regardless of how hard you try, you just can’t reach up inside your ear canal where that itch is coming from. If you’re ear itches in this way, it’s even more irritating than that spot on your back.
Your daily life can be impacted by itchy ears
At first glance, it sounds like a small thing. Itchy ears? It could be worse, right? At least you aren’t in horrible pain.
Here’s something to think about: There’s no alleviation for an itchy ear. No big deal, if it only happens now and then. But what if your ears are always itchy? You could find yourself, and your quality of life, considerably impacted.
Maybe you stay home and quit socializing with friends. Or perhaps you attempt to overwhelm the sensation by listening to overly loud music.
It’s not at all fun. But treatments and strategies do exist. Knowing what’s causing your itchy ears is the first measure to finding a suitable treatment.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So why are your ears itching? And what’s the solution? The treatment for itchy ears is going to differ depending on the root cause. Your ears could be being affected by many underlying causes, as with many medical conditions. Among the most common are the following:
- Skin disorders: Sometimes, a skin disorder can cause a response in places you can’t reach. You can even find yourself with a condition called ear dandruff. You should speak with your doctor about what your options are. It’s not exactly simple to slather your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever suggest you try. Again, your provider will be the best one to help you treat skin conditions that trigger itchy ears!
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are made to fit snugly in your ears. This will create the best results and the best sound. But when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly, this snugness can quickly turn into irritation and itchiness. Your hearing can be negatively affected if this causes you to stop using your hearing aids as frequently. Making an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the answer. We might even be able to mold your hearing aid so it fits your ear better.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are creating a significant amount of wax, that’s not unusual. That’s because wax is helpful for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps clean them! But this blockage can develop for a number of reasons. One thing you should quit doing immediately is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. We can, in any case, help you get rid of any earwax troubles. So you will get some relief by making an appointment with us.
- Allergies: Allergies can frequently cause itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medication, such as an antihistamine, can relieve itching caused by allergies. It’s often hard to determine precisely what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But itchy ears can result from a wide variety of allergens, including pollen. So your spring hay fever could very easily translate into itchy ears. An allergist will be the right place to look for a solution to this.
- Ear infections: Yup, the regular old ear infection may be the culprit behind your misery. Ear infections can arise at any time in life but happen more often when you’re younger. And when they do, fluid can accumulate in your ears. Along with accumulation of fluid, inflammation of the tissue can happen. Combined, this can result in trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and really itchy ears. Addressing the infection with the help of your doctor is the solution. Your ears will usually stop itching when the infection goes away.
Finding treatment for your itchy ears, and relief
Pretty much every activity becomes less enjoyable with itchy ears. Your life can actually be changed by finding relief with the correct treatment. Usually, these itchy ears will not go away by themselves (and if they do, it’ll feel like it takes ages), so there’s no point in attempting to wait it out, you’ll probably just extend your suffering.
If you decide that your itchy ears are driving you mad, schedule an appointment with us so you can stop thinking about the itch, and get back to the normal, everyday activities you like.