We’ve all had that itch that seemed impossible to reach.
Alright, there are two ways to think about it: First, you think about something you always wanted to do in life but so far you haven’t got around to (skydiving, for instance). 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 so frustrating! 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 isn’t any device to get at it. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into your ear canal where that itch is coming from. It’s worse than that spot on your back, and it’s not shocking that itchy ears are probably driving you mad.
Your daily life can be affected by itchy ears
It might sound like a small problem, superficially. Itchy ears? It could be much worse, right? At least you aren’t in terrible pain.
But think about it: 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 if your ears are itchy all the time? You could find yourself, and your quality of life, considerably affected.
Maybe you stay home and avoid socializing with friends. Or perhaps you try to overwhelm the sensation by listening to excessively loud music.
It’s not fun at all. But there are solutions and treatments. Finding 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’s the treatment? The treatment for itchy ears is going to differ depending on the root cause. Your ears could be being affected by many underlying causes, as with most medical conditions. Here are some of the most prevalent:
- Allergies: Allergies are tricky, and it’s not unusual for them to trigger itching. You can often minimize your symptoms by using an over-the-counter allergy medicine, such as an antihistamine. It can be difficult to pin down, sometimes, precisely what you’re allergic to. But a large number of allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. Itchy ears could easily come from your spring hay fever. An allergist will be the best place to seek a solution to this.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are designed to fit snugly in your ears. This will create the best returns and the best sound. But this snug fit can turn into irritation and itchiness when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly. 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. In some cases, hearing aids may even be custom molded to custom fit your ears.
- Skin disorders: Certain skin disorders can, occasionally, trigger itching that is hard to get to. You can even end up with something called ear dandruff. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your solutions are. Using moisturizer in your ear isn’t a viable or safe solution, after all. Again, your provider will be the best person to help you manage skin conditions that cause itchy ears!
- Ear infections: That’s right, the source of your itchy ears could be a regular ear infection. Ear infections can occur 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, inflammation of the tissue can occur. Together, this can result in trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and very itchy ears. The solution is to speak with your doctor and treat the root infection. Once that’s cleared up, your ears should stop itching.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are creating a significant amount of wax, that’s not unusual. 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 you’re doing that, you should stop immediately. We can, in any case, help you clear up any earwax troubles. So making an appointment can help give you some relief.
Finding treatment for your itchy ears, and comfort
Just about every activity becomes less enjoyable with itchy ears. Finding the best treatment, and getting lasting relief can be completely life changing. Usually, these itchy ears will not clear up on their own (and if they do, it’ll feel like it takes forever), so there’s no point in trying to wait it out, you’ll probably just extend your suffering.
Stop paying attention to your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Call us for a consultation.