We’ve all had that itch that seemed impossible to scratch.
Okay, there are two ways to think about it: First, you think about something you always wanted to do in life but so far you haven’t got around to (skydiving, for instance). Or, that itchy spot on your back that you just can’t manage to reach might spring to mind.
That’s kind of a horrible experience, right? Desperately trying to scratch that itchy spot on your back. It’s why back-scratchers exist.
Sadly, there’s no such device that can relieve itching inside of your ears. Regardless of how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into your ear canal where that itch is coming from. If you’re ear itches like this, it’s even more irritating than that spot on your back.
Your everyday life can be impacted by itchy ears
It might sound like a minor problem, superficially. It’s just itchy ears, right? At least your ears aren’t in pain or burning or throbbing.
But think about it: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t get any relief. No fuss, if it only happens now and then. But if your ears are itchy all the time? It may end up having a significant impact on your quality of life.
Perhaps you stay home and quit socializing with friends. Or perhaps you try to overpower the sensation by listening to excessively loud music.
It’s not fun at all. But there are strategies and treatments. Discovering the best way to treat itchy ears means knowing what causes them in the first place.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So what’s the cause of that itch? And what can you do about it? Depending on the root cause, itchy ears will have different solutions. As with many other medical conditions, there are several possible underlying conditions that could be impacting your ears. Among the most common are the following:
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s perfectly normal for your ears to generate a copious amount of wax. That’s because wax is helpful for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps clean them! But there are a number of reasons why blockages can develop. One reason is due to the use of cotton swabs to “clean” your ears, so if that’s happening, you should stop right away. We can, in any case, help you clear up any earwax difficulties. So you will get some relief by scheduling an appointment with us.
- Ear infections: Yup, the plain old ear infection might be the reason for your misery. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to happen at any age. Ear infection can cause fluid buildup in your ear. Along with fluid buildup, inflammation of the tissue can occur. Extremely itchy ears can be the result of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. The fix is to consult your doctor and address the underlying infection. Once that’s cleared up, your ears should stop itching.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are made to fit snugly in your ears. That’s how you get the optimum sound and the most successful results. But this snug fit can turn into irritation and itchiness when your hearing aids don’t fit properly. This, as a result, can cause you to stop using your hearing aids as often, and that can be bad for your hearing. Making an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the solution. In some instances, hearing aids may even be custom molded to custom fit your ears.
- Allergies: Allergies are challenging, and it’s not uncommon for them to trigger itching. You can often 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 easily come from your spring hay fever. If the itching continues, you should talk to an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
- Skin disorders: Certain skin disorders can, occasionally, cause itching that is hard to get to. You can even find yourself with something called ear dandruff. Your doctor will be able to help you determine what your options are. putting moisturizer in your ear isn’t a feasible or safe option, after all. If you have this type of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best bet.
Getting relief for your itchy ears
Pretty much every activity becomes less fun with itchy ears. Finding the best treatment, and getting lasting relief can be absolutely life changing. If you attempt to simply wait it out, you will most likely prolong your suffering because it’s not likely that the itching will clear itself up.
Stop focusing on your itchy ears and go back to enjoying your life. Give us a call for a consultation.