We’ve all experienced that itch that seemed impossible to 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, if you’re a bit less of a romantic, you think about that spot on your back that you just can’t quite reach.
That’s so frustrating! Desperately trying to scratch that itchy spot on your back. It’s the reason why back-scratchers exist.
Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there isn’t any device that will get at it. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t reach up inside your ear canal where it’s itching. It’s even worse than that spot on your back, and it’s not shocking that itchy ears are probably driving you crazy.
Your daily life can be affected by itchy ears
On the surface, it sounds like a small thing. Itchy ears? It could be worse, right? At least you’re not in terrible pain.
Here’s something to think about: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t do anything about it. No fuss, if it only happens once in a while. But if your ears are itchy all the time? You may find yourself, and your quality of life, substantially impacted.
Perhaps you stay home and avoid interacting with friends. Maybe you start listening to louder and louder music trying to drown out that itchy feeling.
It stinks. But there are strategies and treatments. Knowing what’s causing your itchy ears is the first step to discovering 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? The solution for itchy ears is going to differ depending on the root cause. Your ears may be being affected by many underlying causes, as with most medical conditions. Here are a few of the most prevalent:
- Ear infections: Yup, the regular old ear infection may be the reason for your distress. Common in youth, ear infections can continue to happen at any time. Ear infection can cause fluid buildup in your ear. In addition, the tissues inside of your ears can begin to become inflamed. Together, this can lead to trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and really itchy ears. Treating the infection with your doctor’s help is the answer. Once that’s cleared up, your ears should stop itching.
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s completely normal for your ears to produce a copious amount of wax. That’s because wax is good for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps keep them clean! But there are several reasons why blockages can form. One reason is because of the use of cotton swabs to “clean” your ears, so if you’re doing that, you should stop right away. At any rate, we should be able to remove most earwax blockages. So you will get some relief by making an appointment with us.
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, at times, trigger itching that’s difficult to get at. You can even end up with something called ear dandruff. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your options are. putting moisturizer in your ear isn’t a feasible or safe option, after all. Once again, your doctor will be the best one to help you deal with skin conditions that cause itchy ears!
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit into your ears snugly. That’s how you get the optimum sound and the most successful results. But when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly, this snugness can quickly turn to irritation and itchiness. Your hearing can be negatively impacted if this causes you to stop using your hearing aids as often. Schedule an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the answer. We may even be able to mold your hearing aid so it fits your ear better.
- Allergies: Allergies can sometimes cause itching. You can often reduce your symptoms by using an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine. It’s frequently hard to figure out precisely what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But a large number of allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. Itchy ears could easily come from your spring hay fever. If the itching lingers, you should speak with an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
Finding relief for your itchy ears
Just about every activity becomes less fun with itchy ears. Finding the best treatment, and getting sustained relief can be completely life changing. Usually, these itchy ears will not go away on their own (and if they do, it’ll feel like it takes forever), so there’s no point in attempting to wait it out, you’ll probably just prolong your suffering.
If you find that your itchy ears are driving you mad, make an appointment with us so you can stop focusing on the itch, and get back to the normal, everyday activities you like.
