Have you ever experienced an itch that you just couldn’t reach?
Okay, there are two ways to consider it: First, you consider something you always wanted to do with your life but so far you haven’t got around to (skydiving, for instance). Or, that itchy spot on your back that you just can’t seem to reach may come to mind.
That’s sort of a horrible experience, isn’t it? Desperately trying to scratch that itchy spot on your back. That’s why we invented back-scratchers.
Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there isn’t any device to get at it. Regardless of how hard you try, you just can’t reach up inside your ear canal where it’s itching. It’s worse than that spot on your back, and it’s not shocking that itchy ears are most likely driving you mad.
Itchy ears can affect your everyday life
It might sound like a minor issue, superficially. Itchy ears? It could be worse, right? At least your ears aren’t in pain or burning or on fire.
Here’s something to think about: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t get any relief. No big deal, if it only occurs once in a while. But what if your ears are always itchy? You might find yourself, and your quality of life, significantly impacted.
Maybe the feeling is so unpleasant that you stop eating out or spending time with friends. Or perhaps you attempt to overwhelm the sensation by listening to excessively loud music.
It sucks. But treatments and strategies do exist. Discovering the best way to address itchy ears means knowing what causes them to begin with.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So what’s causing that itch? And what’s the treatment? Depending on the root 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. Amongst the most prevalent are the following:
- Allergies: Allergies are challenging, and it’s not uncommon for them to cause itching. In some instances, an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine, can alleviate itching due to allergies. It can be difficult to pin down, sometimes, precisely what you’re allergic to. But a large number of allergens, including pollen, can cause your ears to itch. So your spring hay fever could quickly become itchy ears. If the itching lingers, you should talk to an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are designed to fit snugly in your ears. That’s how you get the best sound and the most effective results. But this snug fit can turn into irritation and itchiness when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly. Your hearing can be negatively impacted if this causes you to stop wearing your hearing aids as frequently. Schedule an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the solution. In some situations, hearing aids could even be custom molded to better fit your ears.
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, occasionally, cause itching that’s hard to get to. There’s even a condition called ear dandruff that can occur. You should consult your doctor about what your options are. It’s not exactly easy to slather your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever recommend you try. Again, your provider will be the best person to help you manage skin conditions that cause itchy ears!
- 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 helpful for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps keep them clean! But this blockage can form for a number of reasons. 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. We can, in any case, help you clear up any earwax difficulties. So making an appointment can help bring you some relief.
- Ear infections: That’s correct, the cause of your itchy ears can be a normal ear infection. Common in youth, ear infections can continue to happen at any age. Ear infection can cause an accumulation of fluid in your ear. Along with fluid buildup, inflammation of the tissue can take place. Combined, this can result in trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and very itchy ears. The fix is to consult your doctor and manage the root infection. Once that’s cleared up, your ears should stop itching.
Getting treatment for your itchy ears, and comfort
Just about every activity becomes less enjoyable 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 trying to wait it out, you’ll probably just extend your suffering.
Stop paying attention to your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Call us for a consultation.