Have you ever had an itch that you just couldn’t reach?
Okay, there are two ways to consider it: The first thing you may think of is that bucket list item you just never seem to get to. Or, if you’re a bit less of a romantic, you consider that spot on your back that you just can’t quite scratch.
That’s sort of a terrible experience, right? Desperately attempting to scratch that itchy spot on your back. That’s why we invented back-scratchers.
Regrettably, when you’re dealing with an itchy ear, there isn’t any device that will get at it. That itching sensation is coming from inside your ear canal, someplace that you can’t physically reach (no matter how hard you try). If you’re ear itches like this, it’s even more aggravating than that spot on your back.
Your daily life can be impacted by itchy ears
It may sound like a minor issue, superficially. Itchy ears? It could be much worse, right? At least you’re not in terrible pain.
But think about it: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t get any relief. No fuss, if it only happens from time to time. 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. Maybe you begin listening to louder and louder music attempting to drown out that itchy feeling.
It sucks. But treatments and strategies do exist. Understanding what’s causing your itchy ears is the first measure to discovering the right treatment.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So what’s causing that itch? And what can you do about it? Depending on the root cause, itchy ears will have different solutions. As with most other medical conditions, there are several possible underlying conditions that may be impacting your ears. Among the most prevalent are the following:
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit in 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 frequently. The solution is to come in and consult us for a proper fitting. In some instances, hearing aids may even be custom molded to better fit your ears.
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s perfectly normal for your ears to create a copious amount of wax. You might be surprised to find out that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But this blockage can develop for a number of reasons. One thing you should stop doing right away is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. We can, in any case, help you clear up any earwax troubles. So making an appointment can help bring you some relief.
- Ear infections: Yup, the regular old ear infection might be the reason for your misery. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to strike at any time. Ear infection can cause an accumulation of fluid in your ear. Along with fluid buildup, swelling of the tissue can occur. Combined, this can lead to trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and very itchy ears. The fix is to consult your doctor and treat the underlying infection. Your ears will usually stop itching when the infection clears up.
- Skin disorders: Certain skin disorders can, at times, cause itching that is hard to get at. You can even find yourself with something called ear dandruff. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your options are. It’s not exactly convenient to slather your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever recommend you try. Once again, your provider will be the best one to help you treat skin conditions that cause itchy ears!
- Allergies: Allergies are challenging, and it’s not uncommon for them to cause itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medicine, such as an antihistamine, can alleviate itching due to allergies. It can be hard to pin down, sometimes, precisely what you’re allergic to. But a great many allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. Itchy ears could easily come from your spring hay fever. If the itching continues, you should talk to an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
Getting relief for your itchy ears
Just about every activity becomes less enjoyable with itchy ears. Your life can actually be changed by finding relief with the correct treatment. If you try to just wait it out, you will probably extend your suffering because it isn’t likely that the itching will clear itself up.
If you decide that your itchy ears are driving you mad, make an appointment with us so you can stop thinking about the itch, and get back to the regular, everyday activities you enjoy.
