Have you ever experienced an itch that you just couldn’t reach?
You may think about this in a couple of different ways: The first thing you might think of 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 sort of a horrible experience, isn’t it? Desperately attempting to scratch that itchy spot on your back. That’s why we invented back-scratchers.
Sadly, there’s no such device that can alleviate itching in your ears. That itchy feeling is coming from inside your ear canal, someplace that you physically can’t reach (regardless how hard you try). It’s even worse than that spot on your back, and it isn’t surprising that itchy ears are most likely driving you crazy.
Your daily life can be impacted by itchy ears
It might sound like a small problem, superficially. It’s only itchy ears, right? At least you’re not in terrible pain.
Here’s something to think about: There’s no relief for an itchy ear. If it occurs from time to time, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But what if your ears are continuously itchy? You could find yourself, and your quality of life, substantially impacted.
Maybe you stay home and quit socializing with friends. Or perhaps you attempt to overpower the sensation by listening to overly loud music.
It sucks. But treatments and solutions do exist. Knowing what’s causing your itchy ears is the first step to finding a suitable treatment.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So what’s the cause of that itch? And what can you do about it? Depending on the root cause, itchy ears will have differing solutions. As with many other medical conditions, there are several possible root conditions that might be impacting your ears. Here are some of the most prevalent:
- Ear infections: Yup, the regular old ear infection could be the culprit behind your distress. Ear infections can occur at any age but happen more frequently when you’re younger. And when they do, fluid can accumulate in your ears. In addition, the tissues in your ears can begin to swell (thank you, inflammation). Together, this can result in trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and extremely itchy ears. Addressing the infection with your doctor’s help is the answer. Your ears will normally stop itching when the infection goes away.
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, occasionally, trigger itching that’s difficult to get at. You can even end up with a condition called ear dandruff. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your options are. Using moisturizer in your ear isn’t a feasible or safe option, after all. Again, your provider will be the best person to help you manage skin conditions that trigger itchy ears!
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are made to fit snugly in your ears. This will create 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 wearing your hearing aids as often, and that can be bad for your hearing. Schedule an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the solution. In some situations, hearing aids may even be custom molded to better fit your ears.
- Allergies: Allergies can frequently cause itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medicine, like an antihistamine, can alleviate itching due to allergies. It’s frequently difficult to identify precisely what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But itchy ears can be a consequence of a large number of allergens, including pollen. Itchy ears could easily come from your spring hay fever. An allergist will be the best place to seek a solution to this.
- 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 find out that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But this blockage can develop for a number of 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. We can, in any case, help you clear up any earwax troubles. So scheduling an appointment can help bring you some relief.
Finding relief for your itchy ears
Itchy ears can take the joy out of just about anything. Your life can actually be changed by getting relief with the proper treatment. Often, these itchy ears will not clear up by themselves (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.