We’ve all experienced that itch that seemed impossible to scratch.
Okay, there are two ways to consider it: The first thing you might think of is that bucket list item you just never seem to get done. Or, if you’re a little less of a romantic, you consider that spot on your back that you just can’t quite reach.
That’s kind of a horrible experience, isn’t it? Having that itch and being desperate to scratch that spot on your back. That’s why we invented back-scratchers.
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 it’s itching. It’s even worse than that spot on your back, and it’s not surprising that itchy ears are most likely driving you mad.
Your everyday life can be impacted by itchy ears
It may sound like a minor issue, superficially. It’s just itchy ears, right? At least your ears aren’t aching or burning or on fire.
But think about it: There’s no alleviation for an itchy ear. No big deal, if it only happens once in a while. But what if your ears are constantly itchy? You might find yourself, and your quality of life, substantially impacted.
Maybe the feeling is so uncomfortable that you stop going out for dinner or seeing 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. Understanding what’s causing your itchy ears is the first step to finding the right treatment.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So why are your ears itching? And what can you do about it? Depending on the underlying cause, itchy ears will have different solutions. Your ears might be being impacted by many underlying causes, as with many medical conditions. Among the most common are the following:
- Allergies: Allergies are challenging, and it’s not unusual for them to trigger itching. You can sometimes decrease your symptoms by taking an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine. It’s often hard to determine exactly what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But itchy ears can be a consequence of a wide variety of allergens, including pollen. So your spring hay fever could quickly become itchy ears. An allergist will be the best place to seek a solution to this.
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s perfectly normal for your ears to produce a copious amount of wax. That’s because wax is helpful for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps keep them clean! 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 difficulties. So you will get some relief by scheduling an appointment with us.
- Skin disorders: Certain skin disorders can, occasionally, trigger itching that’s hard to get to. You can even end up with something called ear dandruff. Your doctor will be able to help you determine what your options are. putting moisturizer in your ear isn’t a feasible or safe solution, after all. Once again, your doctor will be the best person to help you manage skin conditions that trigger itchy ears!
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are made to fit snugly in your ears. This will produce the best results and the best sound. But this snug fit can turn into irritation and itchiness when your hearing aids don’t fit properly. Your hearing can be negatively impacted if this causes you to stop wearing your hearing aids as often. Making an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the solution. In some cases, hearing aids may even be custom molded to better fit your ears.
- Ear infections: That’s right, the source of your itchy ears could be a regular ear infection. Ear infections can arise at any time in life but happen more frequently when you’re younger. Ear infection can cause an accumulation of fluid in your ear. In addition, the tissues in your ears can start to swell (thank you, inflammation). Together, this can result in trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and very itchy ears. Addressing the infection with the help of your doctor is the solution. Your ears will normally stop itching when the infection clears up.
Getting relief for your itchy ears
Itchy ears can take the fun out of pretty much anything. Your life can actually be changed by getting relief with the correct treatment. If you attempt to simply wait it out, you will most likely extend your suffering because it’s not likely that the itching will clear itself up.
Stop focusing on your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Contact us for a consultation.