We’ve all had that itch that seemed impossible to scratch.
Okay, there are two ways to consider it: The first thing you may think of is that bucket list item you just never seem to get to. Or, that itchy spot on your back that you just can’t manage to reach might come to mind.
That’s really frustrating! Having that itch and being desperate to get to that spot on your back. It’s the reason why back-scratchers exist.
Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there isn’t any device that will get at it. Regardless of how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into your ear canal where it’s itching. If you’re ear itches in this way, it’s even more frustrating than that spot on your back.
Itchy ears can affect your everyday life
It may sound like a minor problem, superficially. Itchy ears? It could be worse, right? At least your ears aren’t aching or burning or throbbing.
But think about it: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t get any relief. If it occurs from time to time, sure, it’s not that big of a deal. But if your ears are itchy constantly? You could find yourself, and your quality of life, substantially affected.
Maybe the feeling is so unpleasant that you stop going out for dinner or spending time with friends. Or perhaps you attempt to overwhelm the sensation by listening to excessively loud music.
It’s not at all fun. But treatments and strategies do exist. Finding the best way to address itchy ears means understanding what causes them to begin with.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So what’s causing that itch? And what’s the treatment? Depending on the underlying cause, itchy ears will have different solutions. Your ears might be being affected by many root causes, as with many medical conditions. Here are a few of the most common:
- Skin disorders: Certain skin disorders can, occasionally, trigger itching that’s difficult to get at. You can even end up 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 solution, after all. Once again, your provider will be the best person to help you deal with skin conditions that cause itchy ears!
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s perfectly normal for your ears to create a prodigious amount of wax. You might be surprised to find out that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But this blockage can develop for a number of reasons. One thing you should stop doing immediately is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. In any case, we should be able to clear up most earwax blockages. So you will get some relief by making an appointment with us.
- Ear infections: Yup, the regular old ear infection might 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. At the same time, the tissues in your ears can begin to become inflamed. Together, this can result in trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and extremely itchy ears. The solution is to consult your doctor and manage the underlying infection. Your ears will normally stop itching when the infection goes away.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit into your ears snugly. That’s how you get the best sound and the most effective 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 wearing your hearing aids as frequently, and that can be bad for your hearing. Schedule an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the solution. We might even be able to mold your hearing aid so it better fits your ear.
- Allergies: Allergies can frequently cause itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine, can relieve itching caused by allergies. It’s frequently challenging to identify exactly what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But a great many allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. So your spring hay fever could very easily translate into itchy ears. If the itching continues, you should consult an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
Finding relief for your itchy ears
Itchy ears can take the joy out of pretty much everything. Your life can actually be changed by finding relief with the correct treatment. Often, these itchy ears will not go away on their own (and if they do, it’ll feel like it takes forever), so there’s no point in trying to wait it out, you’ll likely just prolong your suffering.
Stop focusing on your itchy ears and go back to enjoying your life. Call us for a consultation.