We’ve all experienced that itch that seemed impossible to scratch.
You may consider this in a couple of different ways: First, you think about something you always wanted to do in life but so far you haven’t got around to (skydiving, for instance). Or, if you’re a little less of a romantic, you consider that spot on your back that you just can’t quite reach.
That’s really aggravating! Desperately attempting to scratch that itchy spot on your back. It’s the reason why back-scratchers exist.
Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there’s no device that will get at it. That itchy feeling is coming from inside your ear canal, somewhere that you can’t physically reach (no matter 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 nuts.
Itchy ears can impact your everyday life
It may sound like a small issue, superficially. Itchy ears? It could be worse, right? At least you aren’t in terrible pain.
Here’s something to consider: There’s no alleviation for an itchy ear. If it happens once in a while, sure, it’s not that big of a deal. But what if your ears are constantly itchy? You might find yourself, and your quality of life, considerably affected.
Maybe you stay home and stop interacting with friends. Or perhaps you try to overpower the sensation by listening to excessively loud music.
It’s not at all fun. But treatments and solutions do exist. Finding the best way to address itchy ears means knowing what causes them in the first place.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So why are your ears itchy? And what’s the treatment? Depending on the root cause, itchy ears will have different solutions. Your ears could be being impacted by many underlying causes, as with many medical conditions. Among the most common are the following:
- 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 this snug fit can lead to irritation and itchiness when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly. This, in turn, 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 might even be able to mold your hearing aid so it better fits your ear.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are generating a significant amount of wax, that’s not unusual. You might be surprised to find out that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But this blockage can develop for numerous reasons. One thing you should stop doing immediately is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. We can, in any case, help you get rid of any earwax troubles. So you will get some relief by scheduling an appointment with us.
- Ear infections: That’s right, the cause of your itchy ears could be a normal ear infection. Ear infections can occur at any time in life but happen more frequently when you’re younger. Ear infection can cause fluid buildup in your ear. Along with fluid buildup, inflammation of the tissue can happen. Really itchy ears can be the outcome of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. The solution is to consult your doctor and treat the root infection. Your ears will usually stop itching when the infection clears up.
- Allergies: Allergies can sometimes cause itching. In some instances, an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine, can alleviate itching due to allergies. It can be hard to pin down, sometimes, precisely what you’re allergic to. But itchy ears can be a consequence of a wide variety of allergens, including pollen. Itchy ears could quickly come from your spring hay fever. An allergist will be the right place to look for a solution to this.
- Skin disorders: Certain skin disorders can, occasionally, cause itching that is difficult to get to. There’s even a condition called ear dandruff that can happen. Your doctor will be able to help you determine what your options are. putting moisturizer in your ear isn’t a feasible or safe solution, after all. Once again, your doctor will be the best one to help you manage skin conditions that trigger itchy ears!
Getting relief for your itchy ears
Just about every activity becomes less fun with itchy ears. Your life can actually be changed by getting relief with the proper treatment. If you attempt to just wait it out, you will likely extend your suffering because it isn’t likely that the itching will go away on its own.
If you find that your itchy ears are driving you crazy, schedule an appointment with us so you can stop focusing on the itch, and get back to the normal, everyday activities you like.