We’ve all had that itch that seemed impossible to reach.
Okay, there are two ways to consider it: First, you consider 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 really annoying! Feeling that itch and being desperate to scratch that spot on your back. It’s the reason why back-scratchers exist.
Sadly, there isn’t a device that can relieve itching in your ears. That itching sensation is coming from inside your ear canal, somewhere that you can’t physically reach (no matter how hard you try). It’s even worse than that spot on your back, and it isn’t surprising that itchy ears are most likely driving you crazy.
Itchy ears can impact your everyday life
It may sound like a minor problem, superficially. It’s only itchy ears, right? At least your ears aren’t aching or burning or on fire.
But think about it: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t do anything about it. No fuss, if it only happens now and then. But what if your ears are continuously itchy? You might find yourself, and your quality of life, significantly affected.
Perhaps you stay home and avoid socializing with friends. Maybe you start listening to louder and louder music attempting to drown out that itchy feeling.
It’s not fun at all. But treatments and strategies do exist. Finding the best way to treat itchy ears means understanding what causes them to begin with.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So why are your ears itchy? And what’s the solution? The solution for itching ears is going to differ depending on the root cause. Your ears may be being impacted by many root causes, as with most medical conditions. Here are a few of the most common:
- Ear infections: That’s correct, the cause of your itchy ears could be a regular ear infection. Common in youth, ear infections can continue to happen at any time. Ear infection can cause an accumulation of fluid in your ear. Along with accumulation of fluid, inflammation of the tissue can happen. Combined, 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 usually stop itching when the infection goes away.
- Allergies: Allergies are tricky, and it’s not uncommon for them to cause itching. You can sometimes decrease your symptoms by using an over-the-counter allergy medicine, such as an antihistamine. It’s often challenging to identify exactly what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But itchy ears can be caused by 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 look for a solution to this.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are producing a significant amount of wax, that’s not unusual. That’s because wax is good for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps keep them clean! But this blockage can form for numerous reasons. One reason is due to the use of cotton swabs to “clean” your ears, so if that’s happening, you should stop immediately. We can, in any case, help you clear up any earwax troubles. So you will get some relief by scheduling an appointment with us.
- Skin disorders: Occasionally, a skin condition can cause a response in places you can’t itch. There’s even a condition called ear dandruff that can occur. You should speak with your doctor about what your solutions are. putting moisturizer in your ear isn’t a feasible or safe solution, after all. If you have this kind of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best option.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit into your ears snugly. This will yield the best returns and the best sound. But when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly, this snugness can quickly turn to irritation and itchiness. This, in turn, can cause you to stop using your hearing aids as frequently, and that can be bad for your hearing. The answer 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.
Getting relief for your itchy ears
Just about every activity becomes less fun with itchy ears. Your life can actually be changed by getting relief with the proper treatment. If you attempt to simply wait it out, you will likely prolong your suffering because it isn’t likely that the itching will go away on its own.
Stop paying attention to your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Call us for a consultation.
