Have you ever experienced an itch that you just couldn’t scratch?
You might consider this in a couple of different ways: First, you think about something you always wanted to do with your life but you never got around to (skydiving, for instance). Or, if you’re a little less of a romantic, you think about that spot on your back that you just can’t quite reach.
That’s really annoying! Having that itch and being desperate to scratch that spot on your back. That’s why we invented back-scratchers.
Sadly, there’s no such device that can get rid of itching in your ears. That itchy feeling 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 frustrating than that spot on your back.
Itchy ears can affect your daily life
On the surface, it sounds like a small thing. 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 do anything about it. If it happens from time to time, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But what if your ears are constantly itchy? You may find yourself, and your quality of life, considerably affected.
Maybe you stay home and quit socializing with friends. Or perhaps you attempt to overwhelm the sensation by listening to excessively loud music.
It’s not fun at all. But treatments and solutions do exist. Knowing what’s causing your itchy ears is the first step to discovering an appropriate treatment.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So why are your ears itching? And what’s the solution? The solution for itching ears is going to differ depending on the underlying cause. As with many other medical conditions, there are a number of possible root conditions that could be affecting your ears. Here are some of the most common:
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are generating a substantial amount of wax, that’s not abnormal. That’s because wax is good for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps keep them clean! But there are a number of reasons why blockages can form. One reason is because of the use of cotton swabs to “clean” your ears, so if that’s happening, you should stop immediately. In any case, we should be able to remove most earwax blockages. So you will get some relief by making an appointment with us.
- Allergies: Allergies can sometimes cause itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine, can alleviate itching caused by allergies. It can be tricky to pin down, sometimes, exactly what you’re allergic to. But itchy ears can be a consequence of a large number of allergens, including pollen. So your spring hay fever could quickly translate into itchy ears. An allergist will be the right place to look for a solution to this.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit in your ears snugly. This will produce the best returns and the best sound. 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 wearing your hearing aids as frequently. The solution is to come in and see us for a proper fitting. In some situations, hearing aids may even be custom molded to custom fit your ears.
- Skin disorders: Sometimes, a skin disorder can cause a reaction in spots you can’t itch. There’s even a condition called ear dandruff that can happen. You should speak with your doctor about what your options are. It’s not exactly simple to smear your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever suggest you try. If you have this type of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best option.
- Ear infections: That’s right, the cause of your itchy ears can be a normal ear infection. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to strike at any age. And when they do, fluid can accumulate in your ears. At the same time, the tissues in your ears can start to swell (thank you, inflammation). Very itchy ears can be the result of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. The solution is to talk to your doctor and address the underlying infection. Your ears will normally stop itching when the infection clears up.
Finding relief for your itchy ears
Just about every activity becomes less fun with itchy ears. Finding the right treatment, and getting sustained relief can be absolutely life changing. If you try to just wait it out, you will most likely prolong your suffering because it isn’t likely that the itching will clear itself up.
If you find that your itchy ears are driving you crazy, schedule an appointment with us so you can stop thinking about the itch, and get back to the normal, everyday activities you enjoy.