Have you ever experienced an itch that you just couldn’t reach?
Okay, there are two ways to consider it: 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 seem to reach might spring to mind.
That’s so frustrating! Feeling that itch and being desperate to get to that spot on your back. It’s why back-scratchers exist.
Unfortunately, there’s no such device that can alleviate itching inside of your ears. 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 in this way, it’s even more aggravating than that spot on your back.
Your daily life can be impacted by itchy ears
On the surface, it sounds like a minor thing. Itchy ears? It could be much worse, right? At least you’re not in terrible pain.
But think about it: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t get any relief. If it happens now and then, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But what if your ears are continuously itchy? You could find yourself, and your quality of life, significantly affected.
Perhaps you stay home and quit interacting with friends. Maybe you start listening to music at increasing volumes trying to drown out that itchy feeling.
It stinks. But there are solutions and treatments. Finding the best way to treat itchy ears means understanding what causes them to begin with.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So why are your ears itching? 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 numerous possible underlying conditions that might be impacting your ears. Among the most prevalent are the following:
- Allergies: Allergies can frequently cause itching. You can often minimize your symptoms by using an over-the-counter allergy medicine, like an antihistamine. It’s often challenging to figure out exactly 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. An allergist will be the best place to look for a solution to this.
- Skin disorders: Certain skin disorders can, at times, cause itching that’s hard to get at. There’s even a condition called ear dandruff that can happen. Your doctor will be able to help you determine what your options are. putting moisturizer in your ear isn’t a viable or safe option, after all. If you have this type of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best bet.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are designed to fit snugly in your ears. This will yield the best results and the best sound. But when your hearing aids don’t fit properly, this snugness can quickly turn into irritation and itchiness. This, in turn, can cause you to stop wearing your hearing aids as frequently, and that can be detrimental to your hearing. Schedule an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the solution. In some cases, hearing aids may even be custom molded to better fit your ears.
- Ear infections: That’s correct, the cause of your itchy ears could be a normal ear infection. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to happen at any time. Ear infection can cause fluid buildup in your ear. In addition, the tissues in your ears can start to become inflamed. Very itchy ears can be the result of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. The fix is to talk to your doctor and address the underlying infection. Your ears will usually stop itching when the infection clears up.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are creating a significant amount of wax, that’s not unusual. You may be surprised to find out 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 that’s happening, you should stop right away. At any rate, we should be able to clear up most earwax blockages. So scheduling an appointment can help bring you some relief.
Getting treatment for your itchy ears, and comfort
Itchy ears can take the pleasure out of just about everything. Your life can actually be changed by getting relief with the proper treatment. Usually, these itchy ears will not go away on their own (and if they do, it’ll feel like it takes ages), so there’s no point in trying to wait it out, you’ll probably just extend your suffering.
If you find that your itchy ears are driving you crazy, schedule an appointment with us so you can stop focusing on the itch, and get back to the normal, everyday activities you like.
