Have you ever had an itch that you just couldn’t scratch?
Okay, there are two ways to consider 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 bit less of a romantic, you consider that spot on your back that you just can’t quite reach.
That’s really aggravating! Feeling that itch and being desperate to scratch that spot on your back. That’s why we invented back-scratchers.
Unfortunately, there’s no such device that can alleviate itching in your ears. That itching sensation is coming from inside your ear canal, someplace that you physically can’t reach (regardless how hard you try). It’s even worse than that spot on your back, and it’s not shocking that itchy ears are probably driving you nuts.
Your everyday life can be impacted by itchy ears
It may sound like a minor problem, superficially. It’s only itchy ears, right? At least you aren’t in terrible pain.
But think about it: There’s no relief for an itchy ear. No fuss, if it only happens now and then. But what if your ears are continuously itchy? You may find yourself, and your quality of life, significantly impacted.
Maybe you stay home and avoid interacting with friends. Or perhaps you try to overwhelm the sensation by listening to overly loud music.
It’s not fun at all. But there are solutions and treatments. Discovering 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 what’s causing that itch? And what’s the treatment? The solution for itchy ears is going to vary depending on the underlying cause. As with most other medical conditions, there are a number of possible underlying conditions that could be impacting your ears. Among the most common are the following:
- Skin disorders: Certain skin disorders can, occasionally, trigger itching that’s hard to get to. There’s even a disorder called ear dandruff that can occur. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your solutions are. It’s not exactly convenient to slather your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever recommend you try. 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 abnormal. That’s because wax is helpful for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps clean them! But there are several reasons why blockages can form. One thing you should stop doing immediately is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. We can, in any case, help you get rid of any earwax troubles. So you will get some relief by scheduling an appointment with us.
- 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 this snug fit can lead to irritation and itchiness when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly. Your hearing can be negatively affected if this causes you to stop using your hearing aids as frequently. The solution 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.
- Ear infections: Yup, the regular old ear infection may be the reason for your distress. 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 begin to swell (thank you, inflammation). Together, this can lead to trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and very itchy ears. The fix is to consult your doctor and address the underlying infection. Once that’s cleared up, the itching in your ears should go away.
- Allergies: Allergies are tricky, and it’s not unusual for them to trigger itching. You can often decrease your symptoms by using an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine. It can be tricky to pin down, sometimes, precisely what you’re allergic to. But a great many allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. So your spring hay fever could quickly translate into itchy ears. An allergist will be the best place to seek a solution to this.
Getting treatment for your itchy ears, and relief
Pretty much every activity becomes less enjoyable with itchy ears. Finding the correct treatment, and getting sustained relief can be absolutely life changing. If you attempt to simply wait it out, you will most likely prolong your suffering because it isn’t likely that the itching will go away on its own.
Stop paying attention to your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Call us for a consultation.