We’ve all had that itch that seemed impossible to reach.
You may think about 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, that itchy spot on your back that you just can’t manage to reach might come to mind.
That’s sort of a horrible experience, right? Having 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 to get at it. That itchy feeling is coming from inside your ear canal, someplace that you physically can’t reach (regardless how hard you try). If you’re ear itches in this way, it’s even more frustrating than that spot on your back.
Your everyday life can be impacted by itchy ears
At first glance, it sounds like a small thing. Itchy ears? It could be much worse, right? At least your ears aren’t aching or burning or on fire.
Here’s something to think about: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t get any relief. If it occurs once in a while, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But what if your ears are always itchy? You may find yourself, and your quality of life, significantly affected.
Perhaps you stay home and quit socializing with friends. Maybe you start listening to louder and louder music trying to drown out that itchy feeling.
It’s not fun at all. But treatments and solutions do exist. Discovering the best way to treat itchy ears means understanding what causes them in the first place.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So what’s the cause of that itch? And what can be done about it? The solution for itchy ears is going to differ depending on the underlying cause. Your ears might be being impacted by many root causes, as with most medical conditions. Here are some of the most prevalent:
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit in your ears snugly. That’s how you get the optimum sound and the most successful results. But when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly, this snugness can quickly turn to irritation and itchiness. Your hearing can be negatively impacted 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. We may even be able to mold your hearing aid so it fits your ear better.
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s completely normal for your ears to create a prodigious amount of wax. That’s because wax is helpful for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps clean them! But this blockage can form for numerous reasons. 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 scheduling an appointment with us.
- Ear infections: That’s right, the source of your itchy ears can be a regular ear infection. Ear infections can arise at any age but happen more frequently when you’re younger. And when they do, fluid can build up in your ears. Along with fluid buildup, swelling of the tissue can occur. Together, this can result in trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and really itchy ears. Treating the infection with your doctor’s help is the solution. Once that’s cleared up, your ears should stop itching.
- Allergies: Allergies can sometimes cause itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medicine, like an antihistamine, can relieve itching due to allergies. It’s frequently challenging to figure out precisely what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But a large number of allergens, including pollen, can cause your ears to itch. Itchy ears could easily come from your spring hay fever. An allergist will be the best place to look for a solution to this.
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, occasionally, trigger itching that is difficult to get to. There’s even a disorder called ear dandruff that can occur. You should consult your doctor about what your options are. It isn’t exactly convenient to smear your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever suggest you try. Once again, your provider will be the best person to help you deal with skin conditions that cause itchy ears!
Getting relief for your itchy ears
Pretty much every activity becomes less fun with itchy ears. Finding the best treatment, and getting sustained relief can be absolutely life changing. Often, these itchy ears will not go away by themselves (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 prolong your suffering.
If you decide that your itchy ears are driving you mad, schedule an appointment with us so you can stop focusing on the itch, and get back to the regular, everyday activities you enjoy.