Have you ever experienced an itch that you just couldn’t reach?
Alright, there are two ways to think about it: First, you consider something you always wanted to do with your life but you never got around to (skydiving, for example). Or, if you’re a little less of a romantic, you think about that spot on your back that you just can’t quite scratch.
That’s sort of a terrible experience, right? Feeling that itch and being desperate to scratch that spot on your back. It’s why back-scratchers exist.
Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there’s no device that will get at it. Regardless of how hard you try, you just can’t reach up inside your ear canal where that itch is coming from. It’s even worse than that spot on your back, and it isn’t shocking that itchy ears are probably driving you mad.
Itchy ears can affect your everyday life
It may sound like a small problem, superficially. Itchy ears? It could be worse, right? At least your ears aren’t aching or burning or on fire.
Here’s something to consider: There’s no alleviation for an itchy ear. If it occurs now and then, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But if your ears are itchy constantly? You could find yourself, and your quality of life, considerably affected.
Maybe you stay home and avoid interacting with friends. Or perhaps you try to overpower the sensation by listening to excessively loud music.
It stinks. But there are strategies and treatments. Discovering the best way to address itchy ears means knowing what causes them to begin with.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So what’s causing that itch? And what can you do about it? The treatment for itchy ears is going to vary depending on the underlying cause. Your ears might be being impacted by many root causes, as with many medical conditions. Amongst the most prevalent are the following:
- Ear infections: That’s correct, the cause of your itchy ears can be a regular ear infection. Ear infections can occur at any time in life but happen more often when you’re younger. Ear infection can cause an accumulation of fluid in your ear. Along with accumulation of fluid, swelling of the tissue can occur. Really itchy ears can be the outcome of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. The fix is to talk to your doctor and treat the root infection. Once that’s cleared up, your ears should stop itching.
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, at times, cause itching that is 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. It’s not exactly easy to slather your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever recommend you try. Again, your doctor will be the best person to help you manage skin conditions that trigger itchy ears!
- Allergies: Allergies can sometimes cause itching. In some instances, an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine, can ease itching due to allergies. It’s often hard to determine precisely what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But a large number of allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. Itchy ears could easily come from your spring hay fever. If the itching persists, you should speak with an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit into your ears snugly. This will yield the best returns and the best sound. But when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly, this snugness can quickly turn into irritation and itchiness. This, in turn, can cause you to stop wearing your hearing aids as often, and that can be detrimental to your hearing. The answer is to come in and consult us for a proper fitting. In some instances, hearing aids may even be custom molded to better fit your ears.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are creating a substantial amount of wax, that’s not unusual. You may be surprised to learn that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But this blockage can form for a number of reasons. One thing you should quit doing immediately is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. We can, in any case, help you get rid of any earwax troubles. So making an appointment can help bring you some relief.
Getting treatment for your itchy ears, and relief
Itchy ears can take the joy out of pretty much everything. Your life can actually be changed by getting relief with the correct treatment. Usually, 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 attempting to wait it out, you’ll likely just extend your suffering.
If you decide 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.