Have you ever experienced an itch that you just couldn’t reach?
Alright, there are two ways to think about it: The first thing you might think of is that bucket list item you just never seem to get done. Or, that itchy spot on your back that you just can’t seem to reach may spring to mind.
That’s so annoying! Desperately attempting to scratch that itchy spot on your back. It’s the reason why back-scratchers exist.
Sadly, there isn’t a device that can get rid of itching inside of your ears. That itchy feeling is coming from inside your ear canal, somewhere that you can’t physically reach (regardless how hard you try). It’s worse than that spot on your back, and it isn’t surprising that itchy ears are probably driving you crazy.
Your daily life can be impacted by itchy ears
It may sound like a minor issue, superficially. It’s just itchy ears, right? At least your ears aren’t in pain or burning or throbbing.
But think about it: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t get any relief. No fuss, if it only happens now and then. But if your ears are itchy constantly? You might find yourself, and your quality of life, substantially impacted.
Perhaps you stay home and stop interacting with friends. Maybe you begin listening to louder and louder music trying to drown out that itchy feeling.
It’s not at all fun. But treatments and solutions do exist. Discovering the best way to treat itchy ears means knowing what causes them in the first place.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So what’s causing that itch? And what’s the solution? Depending on the root cause, itchy ears will have differing solutions. Your ears may be being affected by many root causes, as with most medical conditions. Here are some of the most prevalent:
- Allergies: Allergies can frequently cause itching. You can sometimes decrease your symptoms by taking an over-the-counter allergy medicine, like an antihistamine. It’s often hard to determine precisely what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But itchy ears can result from a wide variety of allergens, including pollen. Itchy ears could quickly come from your spring hay fever. If the itching lingers, you should speak with an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s perfectly normal for your ears to create a prodigious amount of wax. You may be surprised to learn 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. At any rate, we should be able to clear up most earwax blockages. So making an appointment can help bring you some relief.
- Skin disorders: Certain skin disorders can, occasionally, trigger itching that’s difficult to get at. You can even find yourself with something called ear dandruff. 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. If you have this kind of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best option.
- Ear infections: Yes, the regular old ear infection may be the culprit behind your misery. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to happen at any age. Ear infection can cause fluid buildup in your ear. In addition, the tissues in your ears can begin to become inflamed. Really itchy ears can be the outcome of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. Addressing the infection with your doctor’s help is the answer. Your ears will usually stop itching when the infection goes away.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit into your ears snugly. That’s how you get the best sound and the most effective results. But when your hearing aids don’t fit properly, this snugness can quickly turn into irritation and itchiness. This, in turn, can cause you to stop wearing your hearing aids as frequently, and that can be bad for 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 better fits your ear.
Finding relief for your itchy ears
Just about every activity becomes less enjoyable with itchy ears. Your life can actually be changed by getting relief with the correct treatment. Usually, these itchy ears will not clear up on their own (and if they do, it’ll feel like it takes ages), so there’s no point in trying to wait it out, you’ll likely just prolong your suffering.
Stop focusing on your itchy ears and go back to enjoying your life. Give us a call for a consultation.