Have you ever experienced an itch that you just couldn’t reach?
Alright, there are two ways to think about it: First, you think about something you always wanted to do with your life but you never got around to (skydiving, for example). Or, that itchy spot on your back that you just can’t manage to reach might spring to mind.
That’s really aggravating! Having that itch and being desperate to scratch that spot on your back. That’s why we invented back-scratchers.
Sadly, there isn’t a device that can alleviate itching in your ears. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into your ear canal where it’s itching. If you’re ear itches like this, it’s even more aggravating than that spot on your back.
Itchy ears can impact your everyday life
At first glance, it sounds like a small thing. Itchy ears? It could be much worse, right? At least you’re not in terrible pain.
But think about it: There’s no relief for an itchy ear. If it happens once in a while, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But what if your ears are constantly itchy? It might end up having a real affect on your quality of life.
Maybe the feeling is so unpleasant that you stop going out for dinner or seeing friends. Maybe you begin listening to louder and louder music attempting to drown out that itchy feeling.
It’s not at all fun. But there are strategies and treatments. Understanding what’s causing your itchy ears is the first measure to finding the right treatment.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So why are your ears itchy? And what’s the treatment? The solution for itchy ears is going to vary depending on the root cause. Your ears might be being impacted by many root causes, as with many medical conditions. Amongst the most prevalent are the following:
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit into 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 properly. Your hearing can be negatively affected if this causes you to stop wearing your hearing aids as often. The answer is to come in and see us for a proper fitting. We may even be able to mold your hearing aid so it fits your ear better.
- Ear infections: Yes, the plain old ear infection may be the reason for your distress. Ear infections can arise at any age but happen more often when you’re younger. And when they do, fluid can build up in your ears. Along with fluid buildup, swelling of the tissue can take place. Extremely itchy ears can be the result of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. The solution is to consult your doctor and manage the underlying infection. Your ears will normally stop itching when the infection goes away.
- Allergies: Allergies are challenging, and it’s not unusual for them to cause itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medicine, such as an antihistamine, can ease itching due to allergies. It’s often difficult to identify exactly what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But itchy ears can be caused by a large number of allergens, including pollen. So your spring hay fever could very easily become itchy ears. An allergist will be the right place to look for a solution to this.
- Skin disorders: Occasionally, a skin condition can cause a response in places you can’t reach. There’s even a condition called ear dandruff that can happen. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your options are. It isn’t exactly simple to slather your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever recommend you try. If you have this type of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best option.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are creating a substantial 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 numerous reasons. One reason is due to the use of cotton swabs to “clean” your ears, so if that’s happening, you should stop right away. At any rate, we should be able to remove most earwax blockages. So scheduling an appointment can help bring you some relief.
Getting relief for your itchy ears
Pretty much every activity becomes less fun with itchy ears. Finding the best treatment, and getting sustained relief can be completely life changing. Often, these itchy ears will not go away on their own (and if they do, it’ll feel like it takes ages), so there’s no point in attempting to wait it out, you’ll probably just extend your suffering.
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 regular, everyday activities you like.
