We’ve all experienced that itch that seemed impossible to scratch.
Alright, 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 example). 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! Desperately attempting to scratch that itchy spot on your back. That’s why we created back-scratchers.
Sadly, there isn’t a device that can alleviate itching inside of your ears. Regardless of how hard you try, you just can’t reach up inside your ear canal where that itch is coming from. If you’re ear itches in this way, it’s even more frustrating than that spot on your back.
Your everyday life can be affected by itchy ears
It may sound like a minor problem, superficially. Itchy ears? It could be worse, right? At least your ears aren’t aching or burning or on fire.
Here’s something to think about: There’s no alleviation for an itchy ear. No fuss, if it only occurs from time to time. But what if your ears are continuously itchy? You may find yourself, and your quality of life, significantly impacted.
Maybe the feeling is so uncomfortable that you stop going out for dinner or seeing friends. Maybe you start listening to music at increasing volumes trying to drown out that itchy feeling.
It sucks. But treatments and solutions do exist. Discovering the best way to treat itchy ears means knowing what causes them to begin with.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So what’s the cause of that itch? And what’s the solution? The solution for itching ears is going to vary depending on the root cause. As with many other medical conditions, there are a number of possible underlying conditions that could be impacting your ears. Here are some of the most prevalent:
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s perfectly normal for your ears to produce a prodigious amount of wax. You might 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. In any case, we should be able to clear up most earwax blockages. So scheduling an appointment can help bring you some relief.
- Allergies: Allergies are tricky, and it’s not unusual for them to cause itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medicine, like an antihistamine, can relieve itching due to allergies. It can be tricky to pin down, sometimes, exactly what you’re allergic 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. An allergist will be the right place to look for a solution to this.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit into your ears snugly. This will create the best results 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 impacted if this causes you to stop wearing your hearing aids as often. The answer is to come in and see us for a proper fitting. In some situations, hearing aids could even be custom molded to custom fit your ears.
- Ear infections: That’s correct, the source of your itchy ears can be a regular ear infection. Common in youth, ear infections can continue to strike at any time. Ear infection can cause fluid buildup in your ear. Along with accumulation of fluid, inflammation of the tissue can take place. Extremely itchy ears can be the result of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. The solution is to consult your doctor and address the underlying infection. Your ears will normally stop itching when the infection goes away.
- Skin disorders: Occasionally, a skin condition can cause a response in spots you can’t reach. There’s even a disorder called ear dandruff that can occur. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your options are. It isn’t exactly easy to slather your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever recommend you try. Again, your doctor will be the best one to help you manage skin conditions that cause itchy ears!
Finding relief for your itchy ears
Pretty much every activity becomes less fun with itchy ears. 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 isn’t likely that the itching will clear itself up.
Stop focusing on your itchy ears and go back to enjoying your life. Contact us for a consultation.