Have you ever experienced an itch that you just couldn’t scratch?
You may consider this in a couple of different ways: The first thing you might think of is that bucket list item you just never seem to get done. Or, that itchy spot on your back that you just can’t seem to reach may spring to mind.
That’s so annoying! Desperately attempting to scratch that itchy spot on your back. That’s why we created back-scratchers.
Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there’s no device that will get at it. Regardless of how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into your ear canal where that itch is coming from. It’s worse than that spot on your back, and it isn’t surprising that itchy ears are most likely driving you mad.
Itchy ears can impact your everyday life
It may sound like a minor problem, superficially. It’s just itchy ears, 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 big deal, if it only happens now and then. But what if your ears are continuously itchy? It may end up having a real affect on your quality of life.
Maybe you stay home and quit socializing with friends. Or perhaps you attempt to overwhelm the sensation by listening to overly loud music.
It sucks. But treatments and strategies do exist. Understanding what’s causing your itchy ears is the first measure to discovering the right treatment.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So why are your ears itchy? And what’s the treatment? The solution for itching ears is going to vary depending on the root cause. Your ears might be being impacted by many underlying causes, as with most medical conditions. Among the most common are the following:
- Skin disorders: Sometimes, a skin condition can cause a response in spots you can’t itch. There’s even a condition called ear dandruff that can occur. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your solutions are. It’s not exactly convenient to slather your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever recommend you try. If you have this kind of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best bet.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are generating a significant amount of wax, that’s not unusual. That’s because wax is helpful for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps clean them! 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. 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: Yup, the regular old ear infection may be the culprit behind your distress. Ear infections can happen at any time in life but happen more frequently when you’re younger. And when they do, fluid can accumulate in your ears. In addition, the tissues in your ears can start to become inflamed. 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.
- Allergies: Allergies are tricky, and it’s not uncommon for them to trigger itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medication, such as an antihistamine, can relieve itching due to allergies. It can be tricky to pin down, sometimes, exactly what you’re allergic to. But a large number of allergens, including pollen, can cause your ears to itch. Itchy ears could quickly come from your spring hay fever. If the itching continues, you should consult an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit into your ears snugly. 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. Your hearing can be negatively affected if this causes you to stop wearing your hearing aids as frequently. The solution is to come in and see us for a proper fitting. In some situations, hearing aids may even be custom molded to custom fit your ears.
Finding treatment for your itchy ears, and comfort
Pretty much every activity becomes less enjoyable with itchy ears. Finding the correct treatment, and getting lasting relief can be absolutely life changing. Usually, 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 likely just extend your suffering.
If you find that your itchy ears are driving you mad, schedule an appointment with us so you can stop focusing on the itch, and get back to the normal, everyday activities you enjoy.