We’ve all experienced that itch that seemed impossible to reach.
Okay, there are two ways to think about it: The first thing you may think about is that bucket list item you just never seem to get to. Or, if you’re a little less of a romantic, you consider that spot on your back that you just can’t quite scratch.
That’s really aggravating! Feeling that itch and being desperate to get to that spot on your back. That’s why we created back-scratchers.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a device that can get rid of itching inside of your ears. That itching sensation is coming from inside your ear canal, someplace that you can’t physically reach (regardless how hard you try). It’s even worse than that spot on your back, and it’s not shocking that itchy ears are most likely driving you mad.
Your everyday life can be impacted by itchy ears
It might sound like a small problem, superficially. Itchy ears? It could be worse, right? At least you’re not in terrible pain.
Here’s something to consider: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t get any relief. If it happens now and then, sure, it’s not that big of a deal. But if your ears are itchy all the time? You might find yourself, and your quality of life, substantially impacted.
Maybe you stay home and avoid interacting with friends. Or perhaps you try to overwhelm the sensation by listening to excessively loud music.
It sucks. But treatments and solutions do exist. Knowing what’s causing your itchy ears is the first measure to finding the right treatment.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So why are your ears itchy? And what can be done about it? Depending on the root cause, itchy ears will have different solutions. Your ears could be being affected by many root causes, as with most medical conditions. Among the most common are the following:
- Allergies: Allergies are tricky, and it’s not unusual for them to cause itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine, can relieve itching due to allergies. It can be tricky to pin down, sometimes, exactly what you’re allergic to. But a great many allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. Itchy ears could easily come from your spring hay fever. If the itching persists, you should speak with an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, at times, trigger itching that’s hard to get to. There’s even a condition called ear dandruff that can occur. Your doctor will be able to help you determine what your options are. It isn’t exactly easy to slather your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever suggest you try. If you have this kind of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best option.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are designed to fit snugly in your ears. That’s how you get the optimum sound and the most successful results. But when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly, this snugness can quickly turn into irritation and itchiness. This, in turn, can cause you to stop using your hearing aids as often, and that can be bad for your hearing. Schedule an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the answer. In some situations, hearing aids could even be custom molded to custom fit your ears.
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s completely normal for your ears to produce a prodigious amount of wax. That’s because wax is good for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps clean them! But there are several reasons why blockages can develop. One thing you should quit doing immediately is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. At any rate, we should be able to remove most earwax blockages. So you will get some relief by making an appointment with us.
- Ear infections: That’s right, the cause of your itchy ears can be a normal ear infection. Ear infections can occur at any time in life but happen more frequently when you’re younger. And when they do, fluid can build up in your ears. In addition, the tissues in your ears can start to swell (thank you, inflammation). Extremely itchy ears can be the outcome of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. Addressing the infection with your doctor’s help is the solution. Once that’s cleared up, the itching in your ears should go away.
Getting relief for your itchy ears
Just about every activity becomes less enjoyable with itchy ears. Your life can actually be changed by finding relief with the proper treatment. Usually, these itchy ears will not clear up by themselves (and if they do, it’ll feel like it takes forever), so there’s no point in trying to wait it out, you’ll likely just prolong your suffering.
Stop focusing on your itchy ears and go back to enjoying your life. Call us for a consultation.