We’ve all experienced that itch that seemed impossible to reach.
You might think about 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, 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 kind of a horrible experience, right? Feeling that itch and being desperate to scratch that spot on your back. That’s why we created back-scratchers.
Sadly, there’s no such device that can relieve itching in your ears. Regardless of how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into your ear canal where it’s itching. It’s worse than that spot on your back, and it’s not surprising that itchy ears are probably driving you mad.
Itchy ears can affect your daily life
On the surface, it sounds like a minor thing. Itchy ears? It could be much worse, right? At least you aren’t in horrible pain.
Here’s something to think about: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t do anything about it. No fuss, if it only happens from time to time. But what if your ears are constantly itchy? It might end up having a real affect on your quality of life.
Maybe the sensation is so uncomfortable that you stop going out for dinner or spending time with friends. Or perhaps you attempt to overpower the sensation by listening to overly loud music.
It’s not at all fun. 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? Depending on the root cause, itchy ears will have differing solutions. Your ears could be being affected by many root causes, as with many medical conditions. Amongst the most common are the following:
- Skin disorders: Sometimes, a skin disorder can cause a response in places you can’t itch. There’s even a disorder called ear dandruff that can occur. Your doctor will be able to help you determine what your options are. It’s not exactly simple to slather your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever recommend you try. Again, your provider will be the best one to help you treat skin conditions that trigger itchy ears!
- Ear infections: Yup, the plain old ear infection might be the reason for your misery. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to strike at any age. Ear infection can cause an accumulation of fluid in your ear. In addition, the tissues inside of your ears can begin to swell (thank you, inflammation). Really itchy ears can be the outcome of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. The solution is to speak with your doctor and treat the root infection. Once that’s cleared up, the itching in your ears should go away.
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s completely normal for your ears to produce a copious amount of wax. You might be surprised to find out that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But this blockage can develop for a number of reasons. One thing you should stop doing right away is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. We can, in any case, help you get rid of any earwax troubles. So making an appointment can help give you some relief.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit in your ears snugly. This will yield the best returns 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 wearing 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.
- Allergies: Allergies are tricky, and it’s not uncommon for them to trigger itching. You can often minimize your symptoms by taking an over-the-counter allergy medicine, such as an antihistamine. It can be hard to pin down, sometimes, exactly what you’re allergic to. But itchy ears can result from a large number of allergens, including pollen. Itchy ears could easily come from your spring hay fever. If the itching continues, you should speak with an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
Getting treatment for your itchy ears, and comfort
Itchy ears can take the fun out of just about everything. Your life can actually be changed by getting relief with the correct treatment. If you try to simply wait it out, you will most likely extend your suffering because it isn’t 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.
