We’ve all experienced that itch that seemed impossible to reach.
Okay, there are two ways to think about it: The first thing you might think about 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 really aggravating! Desperately trying to scratch that itchy spot on your back. It’s why back-scratchers exist.
Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there isn’t any device to get at it. Regardless of how hard you try, you just can’t reach up inside your ear canal where that itch is coming from. If you’re ear itches in this way, it’s even more aggravating than that spot on your back.
Itchy ears can affect your everyday life
At first glance, it sounds like a minor thing. Itchy ears? It could be worse, right? At least your ears aren’t aching or burning or on fire.
Here’s something to think about: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t get any relief. If it happens once in a while, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But what if your ears are continuously itchy? You might find yourself, and your quality of life, considerably affected.
Maybe you stay home and avoid socializing with friends. Or perhaps you try to overpower the sensation by listening to excessively loud music.
It’s not fun at all. But treatments and strategies do exist. Knowing what’s causing your itchy ears is the first measure to discovering an appropriate treatment.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So why are your ears itchy? And what can you do about it? The treatment for itching ears is going to vary depending on the root cause. Your ears might be being impacted by many root causes, as with most medical conditions. Here are a few of the most common:
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit into your ears snugly. That’s how you get the optimum sound and the most successful results. But this snug fit can turn into irritation and itchiness when your hearing aids don’t fit properly. This, as a result, can cause you to stop wearing your hearing aids as often, and that can be detrimental to your hearing. The solution is to come in and see us for a proper fitting. In some situations, hearing aids could even be custom molded to custom fit your ears.
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, at times, cause itching that is hard to get at. There’s even a condition called ear dandruff that can occur. You should consult your doctor about what your options are. putting moisturizer in your ear isn’t a practical or safe option, after all. If you have this type of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best bet.
- Ear infections: Yup, the plain old ear infection may be the culprit behind your misery. Ear infections can occur at any age but happen more frequently when you’re younger. And when they do, fluid can build up in your ears. At the same time, the tissues in your ears can begin to swell (thank you, inflammation). Really itchy ears can be the outcome of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. Addressing the infection with the help of your doctor is the solution. Once that’s cleared up, your ears should stop itching.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are generating a significant amount of wax, that’s not abnormal. You may be surprised to find out that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But there are a number of reasons why blockages can develop. One thing you should quit 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 scheduling an appointment with us.
- Allergies: Allergies can sometimes cause itching. In some instances, an over-the-counter allergy medicine, like an antihistamine, can relieve itching due to allergies. It’s frequently difficult to figure out precisely what you’re having an allergic reaction 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 seek a solution to this.
Getting relief for your itchy ears
Just about every activity becomes less fun with itchy ears. Finding the right treatment, and getting lasting relief can be absolutely life changing. If you try to just wait it out, you will most likely prolong your suffering because it’s not likely that the itching will clear itself up.
If you find that your itchy ears are driving you crazy, make an appointment with us so you can stop thinking about the itch, and get back to the normal, everyday activities you like.
