We’ve all experienced that itch that seemed impossible to reach.
You may think about this in a couple of different ways: The first thing you might 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 may come to mind.
That’s so frustrating! Desperately attempting to scratch that itchy spot on your back. It’s the reason why back-scratchers exist.
Regrettably, when you’re dealing with an itchy ear, there isn’t any device to get at it. That itching sensation is coming from inside your ear canal, someplace that you can’t physically reach (no matter how hard you try). If you’re ear itches like this, it’s even more irritating than that spot on your back.
Your daily life can be affected by itchy ears
It may sound like a small problem, superficially. Itchy ears? It could be much worse, right? At least you aren’t in horrible pain.
Here’s something to think about: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t get any relief. If it occurs once in a while, sure, it’s not that big of a deal. But if your ears are itchy all the time? It might end up having a real affect on your quality of life.
Maybe the feeling is so unpleasant that you stop eating out or seeing friends. Maybe you begin listening to louder and louder music trying to drown out that itchy feeling.
It sucks. But there are solutions and treatments. Understanding what’s causing your itchy ears is the first measure to finding a suitable treatment.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So why are your ears itchy? And what’s the treatment? The treatment for itchy ears is going to vary depending on the underlying cause. Your ears may be being affected by many underlying causes, as with many medical conditions. Amongst the most common are the following:
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are designed to fit snugly in your ears. This will produce the best results and the best sound. But when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly, this snugness can quickly turn to irritation and itchiness. Your hearing can be negatively affected if this causes you to stop using your hearing aids as frequently. The answer is to come in and see us for a proper fitting. We might even be able to mold your hearing aid so it better fits your ear.
- Allergies: Allergies are challenging, and it’s not unusual for them to cause itching. You can often decrease your symptoms by taking an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine. It’s frequently hard to figure out precisely what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But a great many allergens, including pollen, can cause your ears to itch. Itchy ears could quickly come from your spring hay fever. If the itching lingers, you should speak with an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
- Ear infections: That’s correct, the source of your itchy ears can be a normal ear infection. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to happen at any time. And when they do, fluid can accumulate in your ears. At the same time, the tissues inside of your ears can start to swell (thank you, inflammation). Extremely itchy ears can be the outcome of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. Treating the infection with your doctor’s help is the answer. Once that’s cleared up, the itching in your ears should go away.
- Skin disorders: Sometimes, a skin disorder can cause a response in places you can’t itch. You can even find yourself with a condition called ear dandruff. You should speak with your doctor about what your solutions are. Using moisturizer in your ear isn’t a feasible or safe solution, after all. If you have this kind of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best bet.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are creating a significant amount of wax, that’s not unusual. You might be surprised to learn that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But this blockage can form for numerous reasons. One reason is due to the use of cotton swabs to “clean” your ears, so if you’re doing that, you should stop right away. We can, in any case, help you get rid of any earwax troubles. So making an appointment can help give you some relief.
Finding treatment for your itchy ears, and relief
Just about every activity becomes less fun with itchy ears. Finding the correct treatment, and getting lasting relief can be completely life changing. Often, 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 likely just extend your suffering.
If you find that your itchy ears are driving you nuts, schedule an appointment with us so you can stop thinking about the itch, and get back to the regular, everyday activities you like.