Have you ever had 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 about 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 might come to mind.
That’s so frustrating! Having that itch and being desperate to get to that spot on your back. It’s why back-scratchers exist.
Regrettably, when you’re dealing with an itchy ear, there’s no device that will get at it. 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 in this way, it’s even more aggravating than that spot on your back.
Itchy ears can affect your daily life
It may sound like a small issue, superficially. It’s just itchy ears, right? At least you aren’t in terrible pain.
But think about it: There’s no relief for an itchy ear. If it occurs once in a while, sure, it’s not that big of a deal. But if your ears are itchy all the time? It might end up having a real impact on your quality of life.
Maybe the sensation is so unpleasant that you stop eating out or seeing friends. Or perhaps you attempt to overpower the sensation by listening to overly loud music.
It’s not fun at all. But there are strategies and treatments. Finding the best way to deal with itchy ears means understanding what causes them to begin with.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So why are your ears itchy? And what can you do about it? Depending on the underlying cause, itchy ears will have differing solutions. As with most other medical conditions, there are a number of possible root conditions that may be impacting your ears. Here are a few of the most common:
- Ear infections: Yup, the regular old ear infection might be the reason for your distress. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to strike at any time. And when they do, fluid can accumulate in your ears. At the same time, the tissues in your ears can begin to become inflamed. Combined, this can lead to trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and really itchy ears. The fix is to speak with your doctor and manage the underlying infection. Your ears will usually stop itching when the infection goes away.
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, occasionally, trigger itching that’s hard to get at. You can even find yourself with a condition called ear dandruff. Your doctor will be able to help you determine what your solutions are. Using moisturizer in your ear isn’t a feasible or safe option, 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. That’s how you get the optimum sound and the most effective results. But when your hearing aids don’t fit properly, this snugness can quickly turn into irritation and itchiness. Your hearing can be negatively affected if this causes you to stop using your hearing aids as often. The answer is to come in and consult us for a proper fitting. We may even be able to mold your hearing aid so it better fits your ear.
- Allergies: Allergies can frequently cause itching. You can sometimes decrease your symptoms by taking an over-the-counter allergy medication, such as an antihistamine. It can be difficult to pin down, sometimes, precisely what you’re allergic to. But itchy ears can result from a wide variety of allergens, including pollen. So your spring hay fever could very easily translate into itchy ears. An allergist will be the right place to seek a solution to this.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are producing a significant amount of wax, that’s not abnormal. You might be surprised to learn that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But there are a number of reasons why blockages can form. One thing you should quit doing right away is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. In any case, 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
Just about every activity becomes less fun with itchy ears. Finding the right treatment, and getting sustained relief can be absolutely life changing. If you try to just wait it out, you will probably prolong your suffering because it’s not likely that the itching will go away on its own.
Stop focusing on your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Call us for a consultation.