We’ve all had that itch that seemed impossible to scratch.
Okay, there are two ways to think about it: First, you consider something you always wanted to do with your life but so far you haven’t got around to (skydiving, for instance). Or, if you’re a bit less of a romantic, you consider that spot on your back that you just can’t quite reach.
That’s really aggravating! Feeling that itch and being desperate to scratch that spot on your back. It’s why back-scratchers exist.
Sadly, there’s no such device that can alleviate itching inside of your ears. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into your ear canal where it’s itching. It’s worse than that spot on your back, and it isn’t shocking that itchy ears are most likely driving you nuts.
Your daily life can be impacted by itchy ears
It might sound like a minor problem, superficially. It’s only itchy ears, right? At least your ears aren’t in pain or burning or on fire.
Here’s something to think about: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t get any relief. No big deal, if it only happens once in a while. But if your ears are itchy constantly? You might find yourself, and your quality of life, significantly impacted.
Perhaps you stay home and stop interacting with friends. Or perhaps you try to overwhelm the sensation by listening to excessively loud music.
It stinks. But treatments and strategies do exist. Discovering the best way to address itchy ears means understanding what causes them in the first place.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So why are your ears itchy? And what can you do about it? The solution for itching ears is going to vary depending on the underlying cause. As with most other medical conditions, there are several possible underlying conditions that may be impacting your ears. Among the most prevalent are the following:
- Ear infections: Yes, the regular old ear infection could be the culprit behind your misery. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to happen at any age. And when they do, fluid can build up in your ears. In addition, the tissues inside of your ears can start to become inflamed. Very itchy ears can be the outcome of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. Treating the infection with the help of your doctor is the solution. Your ears will usually stop itching when the infection goes away.
- Allergies: Allergies can frequently cause itching. You can sometimes decrease your symptoms by taking an over-the-counter allergy medicine, such as an antihistamine. It can be difficult to pin down, sometimes, exactly what you’re allergic to. But a great many allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. Itchy ears could quickly come from your spring hay fever. An allergist will be the best place to seek a solution to this.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are generating a substantial 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 numerous reasons. One thing you should stop doing right away is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. At any rate, we should be able to remove most earwax blockages. So making an appointment can help bring you some relief.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are designed to fit snugly in your ears. That’s how you get the optimum sound and the most effective results. But this snug fit can lead to irritation and itchiness when your hearing aids don’t fit properly. Your hearing can be negatively affected if this causes you to stop using your hearing aids as often. Schedule an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the answer. In some situations, hearing aids may even be custom molded to custom fit your ears.
- Skin disorders: Sometimes, a skin disorder can cause a response in spots you can’t itch. There’s even a condition called ear dandruff that can occur. Your doctor will be able to help you determine what your solutions are. It’s not exactly convenient to slather your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever recommend you try. Once again, your provider will be the best one to help you treat skin conditions that cause itchy ears!
Getting relief for your itchy ears
Itchy ears can take the fun out of pretty much everything. Finding the right treatment, and getting sustained relief can be completely life changing. Usually, these itchy ears will not clear up by themselves (and if they do, it’ll feel like it takes forever), so there’s no point in trying to wait it out, you’ll probably just prolong your suffering.
Stop focusing on your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Give us a call for a consultation.
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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive a personalized free hearing test and hearing loss consultation, call today to set up an appointment.
