Have you ever experienced an itch that you just couldn’t reach?
Alright, there are two ways to think about it: 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 kind of a terrible experience, right? Having that itch and being desperate to get to that spot on your back. It’s the reason why back-scratchers exist.
Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there’s no device to get at it. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into your ear canal where that itch is coming from. If you’re ear itches like this, it’s even more aggravating than that spot on your back.
Your everyday life can be affected by itchy ears
At first glance, it sounds like a small thing. Itchy ears? It could be much worse, right? At least your ears aren’t in pain or burning or on fire.
Here’s something to consider: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t get any relief. No fuss, if it only occurs now and then. But if your ears are itchy constantly? You could find yourself, and your quality of life, significantly impacted.
Perhaps you stay home and avoid socializing with friends. Maybe you start listening to louder and louder music trying to drown out that itchy feeling.
It sucks. But there are strategies and treatments. Discovering the best way to deal with itchy ears means knowing what causes them in the first place.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So why are your ears itching? And what’s the treatment? The solution for itching ears is going to differ depending on the root cause. Your ears may be being impacted by many underlying causes, as with most medical conditions. Here are a few of the most prevalent:
- Ear infections: Yes, the regular old ear infection might be the reason for your misery. Ear infections can happen at any time in life but happen more frequently when you’re younger. Ear infection can cause fluid buildup in your ear. Along with accumulation of fluid, swelling of the tissue can take place. Together, this can result in trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and extremely itchy ears. Treating the infection with the help of your doctor is the answer. Once that’s cleared up, the itching in your ears should go away.
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, at times, cause itching that is hard to get at. You can even end up with something called ear dandruff. You should consult your doctor about what your options are. putting moisturizer in your ear isn’t a viable or safe option, after all. If you have this kind of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best bet.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit into your ears snugly. This will create the best results and the best sound. But this snug fit can lead to irritation and itchiness when your hearing aids don’t fit properly. This, as a result, 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 solution. We might even be able to mold your hearing aid so it better fits your ear.
- Allergies: Allergies are challenging, and it’s not unusual for them to trigger itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medication, such as an antihistamine, can ease itching caused by allergies. It can be difficult to pin down, sometimes, exactly what you’re allergic to. But a large number of allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. Itchy ears could easily come from your spring hay fever. An allergist will be the best place to look for a solution to this.
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s perfectly normal for your ears to generate 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 reason is because of the use of cotton swabs to “clean” your ears, so if you’re doing that, you should stop immediately. We can, in any case, help you get rid of any earwax troubles. So scheduling an appointment can help give you some relief.
Finding treatment for your itchy ears, and comfort
Pretty much every activity becomes less fun with itchy ears. Your life can actually be changed by finding relief with the proper treatment. Usually, these itchy ears will not clear up on their own (and if they do, it’ll feel like it takes forever), so there’s no point in attempting to wait it out, you’ll likely just extend your suffering.
If you find that your itchy ears are driving you crazy, schedule an appointment with us so you can stop thinking about the itch, and get back to the normal, everyday activities you enjoy.
