Have you ever experienced an itch that you just couldn’t scratch?
Alright, there are two ways to consider it: First, you think about something you always wanted to do with your life but you never got around to (skydiving, for example). Or, that itchy spot on your back that you just can’t manage to reach may spring to mind.
That’s really aggravating! 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 relieve itching inside of your ears. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into 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.
Your daily life can be impacted by itchy ears
It may sound like a small issue, superficially. It’s only itchy ears, right? At least your ears aren’t aching or burning or on fire.
Here’s something to consider: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t get any relief. If it happens from time to time, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But what if your ears are continuously itchy? It could end up having a significant affect on your quality of life.
Maybe the feeling is so uncomfortable that you stop going out for dinner or seeing friends. Maybe you start listening to louder and louder music attempting to drown out that itchy feeling.
It stinks. But treatments and strategies do exist. Finding the best way to deal with itchy ears means understanding what causes them to begin with.
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? Depending on the root cause, itchy ears will have differing solutions. Your ears could be being impacted by many underlying causes, as with many medical conditions. Here are some of the most prevalent:
- Skin disorders: Occasionally, a skin disorder can cause a reaction in spots you can’t itch. You can even end up with a condition called ear dandruff. You should consult your doctor about what your options are. It’s not exactly convenient to smear your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever suggest you try. If you have this kind of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best option.
- Ear infections: Yes, the plain old ear infection might be the reason for your misery. Ear infections can occur at any time in life but happen more often when you’re younger. And when they do, fluid can build up in your ears. At the same time, the tissues inside of your ears can start to become inflamed. Very itchy ears can be the result of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. Addressing the infection with your doctor’s help is the answer. Your ears will usually stop itching when the infection goes away.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit in your ears snugly. This will produce the best returns and the best sound. But when your hearing aids don’t fit properly, this snugness can quickly turn to irritation and itchiness. 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 consult us for a proper fitting. In some situations, hearing aids could even be custom molded to better fit your ears.
- Allergies: Allergies can sometimes cause itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medicine, such as an antihistamine, can alleviate itching due to allergies. It’s often challenging to determine exactly what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But itchy ears can result from a wide variety of allergens, including pollen. So your spring hay fever could very easily become itchy ears. If the itching persists, you should speak with an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are creating a substantial amount of wax, that’s not abnormal. You may be surprised to find out that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But this blockage can form for a number of reasons. One thing you should stop doing right away is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. We can, in any case, help you clear up any earwax difficulties. So you will get some relief by scheduling an appointment with us.
Finding relief for your itchy ears
Itchy ears can take the fun out of pretty much everything. Finding the right treatment, and getting lasting relief can be completely life changing. If you attempt to just wait it out, you will probably extend your suffering because it isn’t likely that the itching will clear itself up.
If you decide that your itchy ears are driving you mad, schedule an appointment with us so you can stop thinking about the itch, and get back to the normal, everyday activities you like.