Have you ever had an itch that you just couldn’t scratch?
You may consider this in a couple of different ways: First, you think about something you always wanted to do with your life but so far you haven’t got around to (skydiving, for example). Or, if you’re a bit less of a romantic, you think about that spot on your back that you just can’t quite scratch.
That’s sort of a terrible experience, isn’t it? Desperately trying to scratch that itchy spot on your back. That’s why we invented 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 it’s itching. If you’re ear itches in this way, it’s even more aggravating than that spot on your back.
Your daily life can be impacted by itchy ears
On the surface, it sounds like a minor thing. It’s only itchy ears, right? At least you’re not in terrible pain.
Here’s something to think about: There’s no relief for an itchy ear. If it occurs once in a while, sure, it’s not that big of a deal. But what if your ears are continuously itchy? You may find yourself, and your quality of life, significantly impacted.
Maybe you stay home and quit interacting with friends. Or perhaps you attempt to overwhelm the sensation by listening to overly loud music.
It sucks. But there are solutions and treatments. Understanding what’s causing your itchy ears is the first measure to finding an appropriate treatment.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So what’s the cause of that itch? And what’s the treatment? Depending on the root cause, itchy ears will have differing solutions. Your ears may be being affected by many underlying causes, as with many medical conditions. Here are some of the most common:
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s completely normal for your ears to create a prodigious amount of wax. That’s because wax is good for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps keep them clean! But this blockage can form for numerous reasons. One thing you should quit 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 making an appointment with us.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are made to fit snugly in your ears. 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. This, as a result, can cause you to stop using your hearing aids as often, and that can be bad for your hearing. Making an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the answer. We may even be able to mold your hearing aid so it better fits your ear.
- Ear infections: That’s right, the source of your itchy ears can be a normal ear infection. Ear infections can arise at any age but happen more often when you’re younger. Ear infection can cause fluid buildup in your ear. Along with fluid buildup, swelling of the tissue can happen. Together, this can result in trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and extremely itchy ears. The fix is to consult your doctor and manage the root infection. Once that’s cleared up, your ears should stop itching.
- Allergies: Allergies are tricky, and it’s not uncommon for them to trigger itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medicine, such as an antihistamine, can alleviate itching due to allergies. It’s frequently difficult to identify exactly what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But itchy ears can be caused by a wide variety of allergens, including pollen. So your spring hay fever could quickly translate into itchy ears. An allergist will be the right place to seek a solution to this.
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, at times, cause itching that is hard to get at. You can even find yourself with a condition called ear dandruff. Your doctor will be able to help you determine what your solutions are. It’s not exactly simple to smear your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever recommend you try. If you have this type of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best bet.
Getting treatment for your itchy ears, and relief
Just about every activity becomes less enjoyable with itchy ears. Your life can actually be changed by getting relief with the correct treatment. If you attempt to just wait it out, you will likely extend your suffering because it’s not likely that the itching will clear itself up.
Stop focusing on your itchy ears and go back to enjoying your life. Call us for a consultation.