Have you ever experienced an itch that you just couldn’t scratch?
You might think about this in a couple of different ways: First, you consider something you always wanted to do in life but so far you haven’t got around to (skydiving, for instance). Or, that itchy spot on your back that you just can’t seem to reach might spring to mind.
That’s sort of a terrible experience, right? Having that itch and being desperate to get to that spot on your back. That’s why we invented back-scratchers.
Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there isn’t any device that will get at it. That itchy feeling is coming from inside your ear canal, someplace 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 nuts.
Your daily life can be affected by itchy ears
At first glance, it sounds like a minor thing. It’s only itchy ears, right? At least your ears aren’t in pain 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 occurs now and then. But what if your ears are continuously itchy? You might find yourself, and your quality of life, significantly impacted.
Maybe the experience is so uncomfortable that you stop going out for dinner or seeing friends. Or perhaps you try to overpower the sensation by listening to overly loud music.
It’s not at all fun. But there are strategies and treatments. Discovering the best way to deal with itchy ears means knowing what causes them to begin with.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So why are your ears itching? And what’s the solution? The treatment for itchy ears is going to differ depending on the underlying cause. As with many other medical conditions, there are a number of possible root conditions that could be impacting your ears. Here are some of the most common:
- Allergies: Allergies are tricky, and it’s not uncommon for them to trigger itching. In some instances, an over-the-counter allergy medication, such as an antihistamine, can relieve itching caused by allergies. It can be difficult to pin down, sometimes, exactly what you’re allergic to. But itchy ears can result from a wide variety of allergens, including pollen. Itchy ears could easily come from your spring hay fever. An allergist will be the best place to look for a solution to this.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit into your ears snugly. This will yield 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 often. Schedule an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the solution. We might even be able to mold your hearing aid so it fits your ear better.
- Ear infections: Yup, the regular old ear infection could be the culprit behind your misery. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to strike at any age. And when they do, fluid can build up in your ears. At the same time, the tissues in your ears can start to become inflamed. Together, this can result in trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and very itchy ears. The fix is to talk to your doctor and manage the underlying infection. Once that’s cleared up, the itching in your ears should go away.
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, at times, trigger itching that’s difficult to get to. You can even end up with a condition called ear dandruff. You should consult your doctor about what your solutions are. It isn’t exactly easy to smear your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever recommend you try. Once again, your provider will be the best one to help you deal with skin conditions that trigger itchy ears!
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s perfectly normal for your ears to produce a prodigious amount of wax. You may be surprised to learn that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But this blockage can develop 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 get rid of 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 joy out of pretty much everything. Your life can actually be changed by finding relief with the proper treatment. 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 attempting to wait it out, you’ll probably just prolong your suffering.
If you find that your itchy ears are driving you crazy, schedule an appointment with us so you can stop focusing on the itch, and get back to the regular, everyday activities you enjoy.