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 may think about is that bucket list item you just never seem to get to. Or, if you’re a bit less of a romantic, you consider that spot on your back that you just can’t quite reach.
That’s really frustrating! Desperately trying to scratch that itchy spot on your back. That’s why we invented back-scratchers.
Unfortunately, there’s no such device that can get rid of itching inside of your ears. That itching sensation is coming from inside your ear canal, somewhere that you can’t physically reach (no matter how hard you try). It’s worse than that spot on your back, and it’s not shocking that itchy ears are most likely driving you mad.
Your daily life can be impacted by itchy ears
At first glance, it sounds like a small thing. It’s only itchy ears, right? At least your ears aren’t aching or burning or on fire.
Here’s something to consider: There’s no alleviation for an itchy ear. If it happens now and then, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But if your ears are itchy constantly? It might end up having a real impact on your quality of life.
Maybe the experience is so unpleasant that you stop going out for dinner or seeing friends. Or perhaps you attempt to overwhelm the sensation by listening to excessively loud music.
It’s not at all fun. But there are solutions and treatments. Finding the best way to treat itchy ears means understanding what causes them to begin with.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So why are your ears itchy? And what can you do about it? Depending on the root cause, itchy ears will have different solutions. As with most other medical conditions, there are a number of possible underlying conditions that could be affecting your ears. Among the most common are the following:
- Ear infections: Yes, the regular old ear infection may be the culprit behind your misery. Common in youth, ear infections can continue to strike at any time. Ear infection can cause an accumulation of fluid in your ear. At the same time, the tissues inside of your ears can start to become inflamed. Combined, this can result in trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and extremely itchy ears. The solution is to consult your doctor and manage the underlying infection. Your ears will normally stop itching when the infection clears up.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are generating a significant amount of wax, that’s not abnormal. That’s because wax is helpful for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps clean them! But this blockage can develop for a number of reasons. One reason is because of the use of cotton swabs to “clean” your ears, so if that’s happening, you should stop immediately. We can, in any case, help you clear up any earwax difficulties. So scheduling an appointment can help bring you some relief.
- Skin disorders: Occasionally, a skin condition can cause a response in spots you can’t reach. You can even end up with something called ear dandruff. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your solutions are. It isn’t exactly easy to slather your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever recommend you try. Again, your doctor will be the best one to help you deal with skin conditions that trigger itchy ears!
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are made to fit snugly in your ears. This will produce the best results and the best sound. But when your hearing aids don’t fit properly, this snugness can quickly turn into irritation and itchiness. This, as a result, can cause you to stop using your hearing aids as often, and that can be detrimental to your hearing. The solution is to come in and consult us for a proper fitting. We might even be able to mold your hearing aid so it fits your ear better.
- Allergies: Allergies can frequently cause itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine, can relieve itching due to allergies. It can be difficult to pin down, sometimes, precisely what you’re allergic to. But a large number of allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. Itchy ears could easily come from your spring hay fever. An allergist will be the right place to look for a solution to this.
Getting treatment for your itchy ears, and relief
Itchy ears can take the fun out of pretty much everything. Your life can actually be changed by getting relief with the proper treatment. If you attempt to just wait it out, you will most likely extend your suffering because it isn’t likely that the itching will go away on its own.
Stop paying attention to your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Call us for a consultation.