We’ve all experienced that itch that seemed impossible to reach.
Okay, there are two ways to consider it: The first thing you may 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 might come to mind.
That’s kind of a terrible experience, right? Desperately trying to scratch that itchy spot on your back. It’s the reason why back-scratchers exist.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a device that can get rid of itching inside of your ears. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into your ear canal where it’s itching. If you’re ear itches in this way, it’s even more frustrating than that spot on your back.
Itchy ears can impact your everyday life
It might sound like a small issue, superficially. It’s just itchy ears, right? At least your ears aren’t in pain or burning or on fire.
Here’s something to think about: There’s no alleviation for an itchy ear. If it occurs once in a while, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But what if your ears are always itchy? It might end up having a real affect on your quality of life.
Perhaps you stay home and quit interacting with friends. Maybe you begin listening to louder and louder music attempting to drown out that itchy feeling.
It’s not at all fun. But there are solutions and treatments. Knowing what’s causing your itchy ears is the first measure to discovering an appropriate treatment.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So what’s causing that itch? And what’s the treatment? The solution for itching ears is going to vary depending on the underlying cause. Your ears might be being affected by many root causes, as with most medical conditions. Among the most common are the following:
- Skin disorders: Sometimes, a skin condition can cause a response in places you can’t reach. There’s even a disorder called ear dandruff that can occur. You should consult your doctor about what your options are. Using moisturizer in your ear isn’t a practical or safe option, 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 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 this blockage can develop for numerous reasons. One reason is because of the use of cotton swabs to “clean” your ears, so if you’re doing that, you should stop immediately. At any rate, we should be able to clear up most earwax blockages. So you will get some relief by scheduling an appointment with us.
- Ear infections: Yes, the plain old ear infection might be the reason for your misery. Common in youth, ear infections can continue to strike at any age. Ear infection can cause fluid buildup in your ear. At the same time, the tissues inside of your ears can start to swell (thank you, inflammation). Really itchy ears can be the outcome of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. The solution is to consult your doctor and treat the root infection. Once that’s cleared up, the itching in your ears should go away.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are designed to fit snugly in your ears. This will create the best results and the best sound. But when your hearing aids don’t fit properly, this snugness can quickly turn to irritation and itchiness. This, in turn, can cause you to stop wearing your hearing aids as often, and that can be bad for 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 custom fit your ears.
- Allergies: Allergies can frequently cause itching. You can sometimes reduce your symptoms by using an over-the-counter allergy medication, such as an antihistamine. It can be tricky to pin down, sometimes, precisely what you’re allergic to. But itchy ears can result from a wide variety of allergens, including pollen. So your spring hay fever could very easily translate into itchy ears. An allergist will be the best place to look for a solution to this.
Finding relief for your itchy ears
Itchy ears can take the joy out of pretty much anything. Your life can actually be changed by finding relief with the correct treatment. Usually, these itchy ears will not clear up 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 probably just extend your suffering.
If you decide that your itchy ears are driving you mad, make an appointment with us so you can stop focusing on the itch, and get back to the regular, everyday activities you like.
