We’ve all experienced that itch that seemed impossible to reach.
You may think about this in a couple of different ways: The first thing you may think of is that bucket list item you just never seem to get to. Or, that itchy spot on your back that you just can’t seem to reach might spring to mind.
That’s so aggravating! Desperately trying to scratch that itchy spot on your back. It’s the reason why back-scratchers exist.
Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there isn’t any device to get at it. Regardless of how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into your ear canal where it’s itching. If you’re ear itches in this way, it’s even more irritating than that spot on your back.
Itchy ears can affect your daily life
At first glance, it sounds like a small thing. It’s only itchy ears, right? At least you aren’t in horrible pain.
But think about it: There’s no relief for an itchy ear. If it happens once in a while, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But if your ears are itchy constantly? It might end up having a real impact on your quality of life.
Maybe the experience is so unpleasant 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 sucks. But there are solutions and treatments. Discovering the best way to treat itchy ears means understanding what causes them in the first place.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So why are your ears itchy? And what’s the solution? The treatment for itchy ears is going to vary depending on the underlying cause. As with most other medical conditions, there are numerous possible underlying conditions that may be affecting your ears. Among the most prevalent are the following:
- Ear infections: Yes, the plain old ear infection may be the reason for your misery. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to happen at any time. And when they do, fluid can accumulate in your ears. Along with accumulation of fluid, swelling of the tissue can happen. Extremely itchy ears can be the outcome of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. The fix is to speak with your doctor and address the underlying infection. Your ears will usually stop itching when the infection goes away.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are producing a significant amount of wax, that’s not unusual. You may be surprised to find out that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But there are a number of reasons why blockages can develop. 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.
- Allergies: Allergies are challenging, and it’s not uncommon for them to cause itching. In some instances, an over-the-counter allergy medicine, such as an antihistamine, can ease itching caused by allergies. It can be tricky to pin down, sometimes, precisely what you’re allergic to. But a great many allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. So your spring hay fever could quickly become itchy ears. If the itching continues, you should speak with an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
- Skin disorders: Sometimes, a skin disorder can cause a reaction in spots you can’t itch. There’s even a disorder called ear dandruff that can happen. You should consult your doctor about what your options are. It isn’t exactly simple to smear your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever suggest you try. Again, your doctor will be the best one to help you manage skin conditions that cause itchy ears!
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are made to fit snugly in your ears. This will yield the best results and the best sound. But when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly, this snugness can quickly turn to irritation and itchiness. This, as a result, can cause you to stop using your hearing aids as frequently, and that can be bad for your hearing. Making an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the answer. In some instances, hearing aids could even be custom molded to better fit your ears.
Getting relief for your itchy ears
Pretty much every activity becomes less enjoyable with itchy ears. Finding the best treatment, and getting sustained relief can be completely life changing. If you try to just wait it out, you will probably prolong your suffering because it isn’t likely that the itching will clear itself up.
Stop paying attention to your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Call us for a consultation.