We’ve all had that itch that seemed impossible to reach.
Alright, there are two ways to consider it: First, you think about something you always wanted to do in life but you never 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 so frustrating! Having that itch and being desperate to scratch that spot on your back. That’s why we created back-scratchers.
Sadly, there isn’t a device that can relieve itching inside of your ears. That itchy feeling is coming from inside your ear canal, someplace that you can’t physically reach (regardless how hard you try). It’s even worse than that spot on your back, and it’s not surprising that itchy ears are probably driving you mad.
Your daily life can be affected by itchy ears
It may sound like a minor problem, superficially. Itchy ears? It could be worse, right? At least your ears aren’t aching or burning or on fire.
But think about it: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t do anything about it. No fuss, if it only occurs once in a while. But what if your ears are continuously itchy? You might find yourself, and your quality of life, significantly affected.
Maybe the experience is so unpleasant that you stop eating out or seeing friends. Or perhaps you attempt to overwhelm the sensation by listening to overly loud music.
It sucks. But there are solutions and treatments. Discovering the best way to address itchy ears means knowing what causes them to begin with.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So why are your ears itchy? And what can be done about it? The treatment for itching ears is going to vary depending on the root cause. Your ears might be being affected by many underlying causes, as with most medical conditions. Among the most prevalent are the following:
- Ear infections: That’s right, the source of your itchy ears can be a normal ear infection. Ear infections can happen at any time in life but happen more frequently when you’re younger. Ear infection can cause an accumulation of fluid in your ear. In addition, the tissues inside of your ears can start to swell (thank you, inflammation). Together, this can lead to trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and extremely itchy ears. Treating the infection with the help of your doctor is the solution. Your ears will usually stop itching when the infection clears up.
- Skin disorders: Occasionally, a skin disorder can cause a reaction in spots you can’t reach. You can even find yourself with something called ear dandruff. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your options are. Using moisturizer in your ear isn’t a viable or safe solution, after all. If you have this kind of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best option.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are made to fit snugly in your ears. This will yield the best returns and the best sound. But when your hearing aids don’t fit properly, this snugness can quickly turn into irritation and itchiness. Your hearing can be negatively impacted if this causes you to stop using your hearing aids as often. Making an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the solution. In some instances, hearing aids could even be custom molded to better fit your ears.
- Allergies: Allergies can frequently cause itching. You can sometimes decrease your symptoms by taking an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine. It’s often hard to identify precisely what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But a great many allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. Itchy ears could quickly come from your spring hay fever. An allergist will be the best place to seek a solution to this.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are creating a substantial amount of wax, that’s not abnormal. That’s because wax is good for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps clean them! But this blockage can form for a number of reasons. 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 making an appointment with us.
Finding relief for your itchy ears
Itchy ears can take the fun out of pretty much anything. Finding the correct treatment, and getting sustained relief can be completely life changing. If you attempt to just wait it out, you will probably prolong your suffering because it’s not likely that the itching will clear itself up.
Stop focusing on your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Give us a call for a consultation.