Have you ever experienced an itch that you just couldn’t reach?
Alright, there are two ways to consider it: The first thing you may think about is that bucket list item you just never seem to get to. 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 really frustrating! Desperately trying to scratch that itchy spot on your back. That’s why we created back-scratchers.
Unfortunately, there’s no such device that can alleviate itching inside of your ears. Regardless of how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into your ear canal where it’s itching. If you’re ear itches like this, it’s even more aggravating than that spot on your back.
Itchy ears can impact your everyday life
It may sound like a minor issue, superficially. Itchy ears? It could be worse, right? At least your ears aren’t in pain or burning or throbbing.
Here’s something to think about: There’s no alleviation for an itchy ear. If it happens now and then, sure, it’s not that big of a deal. But what if your ears are always itchy? It might end up having a real affect on your quality of life.
Perhaps you stay home and stop interacting with friends. Or perhaps you attempt to overpower the sensation by listening to excessively loud music.
It sucks. But treatments and solutions do exist. Discovering the best way to deal with itchy ears means knowing what causes them to begin with.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So why are your ears itchy? And what’s the treatment? The treatment for itching ears is going to vary depending on the underlying cause. As with most other medical conditions, there are a number of possible root conditions that could be affecting your ears. Among the most common are the following:
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are designed to fit snugly in your ears. This will yield the best returns and the best sound. But this snug fit can lead to irritation and itchiness when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly. 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 answer. In some cases, hearing aids could even be custom molded to better fit your ears.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are generating a substantial amount of wax, that’s not abnormal. You might be surprised to learn that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But this blockage can form for numerous reasons. One reason is due to 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 get rid of any earwax troubles. So scheduling an appointment can help bring you some relief.
- Skin disorders: Occasionally, a skin condition can cause a reaction in places you can’t itch. There’s even a disorder called ear dandruff that can occur. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your options are. It’s not exactly convenient to smear your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever suggest you try. Once again, your doctor will be the best person to help you manage skin conditions that cause itchy ears!
- Allergies: Allergies can frequently cause itching. You can often minimize your symptoms by using an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine. It’s often hard to figure out exactly what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But itchy ears can be a consequence of a wide variety of allergens, including pollen. Itchy ears could quickly come from your spring hay fever. If the itching lingers, you should speak with an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
- Ear infections: Yup, the plain old ear infection might be the culprit behind your distress. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to happen at any age. And when they do, fluid can accumulate in your ears. In addition, the tissues inside of your ears can begin to become inflamed. Together, this can result in trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and very itchy ears. Treating the infection with the help of your doctor is the answer. Your ears will normally stop itching when the infection clears up.
Getting relief for your itchy ears
Itchy ears can take the joy out of pretty much everything. Your life can actually be changed by finding relief with the correct treatment. Usually, these itchy ears will not clear up 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 likely just extend your suffering.
If you decide that your itchy ears are driving you mad, schedule an appointment with us so you can stop thinking about the itch, and get back to the regular, everyday activities you enjoy.