We’ve all experienced that itch that seemed impossible to scratch.
Alright, there are two ways to think about it: First, you consider something you always wanted to do in life but you never got around to (skydiving, for instance). Or, if you’re a little less of a romantic, you think about that spot on your back that you just can’t quite scratch.
That’s sort of a horrible experience, right? Having that itch and being desperate to get to that spot on your back. That’s why we created back-scratchers.
Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there’s no device to get at it. Regardless of how hard you try, you just can’t reach up inside your ear canal where that itch is coming from. It’s even worse than that spot on your back, and it’s not surprising that itchy ears are probably driving you mad.
Itchy ears can affect your daily life
It might sound like a minor problem, superficially. Itchy ears? It could be much worse, right? At least your ears aren’t in pain or burning or throbbing.
But think about it: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t do anything about it. No big deal, if it only occurs from time to time. But if your ears are itchy all the time? You might find yourself, and your quality of life, substantially affected.
Maybe you stay home and avoid socializing with friends. Maybe you start listening to music at increasing volumes trying to drown out that itchy feeling.
It sucks. But treatments and strategies do exist. Discovering the best way to deal with itchy ears means understanding what causes them in the first place.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So why are your ears itchy? And what’s the solution? Depending on the root cause, itchy ears will have differing solutions. Your ears could be being impacted by many underlying causes, as with many medical conditions. Among the most prevalent are the following:
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit in your ears snugly. This will yield the best results and the best sound. But when your hearing aids don’t fit properly, this snugness can quickly turn into irritation and itchiness. This, as a result, can cause you to stop wearing your hearing aids as frequently, and that can be detrimental to your hearing. The answer is to come in and consult us for a proper fitting. In some cases, hearing aids may even be custom molded to custom fit your ears.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are creating a substantial amount of wax, that’s not abnormal. You may be surprised to learn that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But this blockage can develop for numerous reasons. One reason is because of the use of cotton swabs to “clean” your ears, so if that’s happening, you should stop right away. In any case, we should be able to clear up most earwax blockages. So making an appointment can help give you some relief.
- Allergies: Allergies can sometimes cause itching. You can often minimize your symptoms by using an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine. It can be difficult to pin down, sometimes, exactly what you’re allergic to. But a great many 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).
- Ear infections: That’s correct, the cause of your itchy ears could be a regular ear infection. Ear infections can happen at any time in life but happen more often when you’re younger. And when they do, fluid can build up in your ears. At the same time, the tissues inside of your ears can start to swell (thank you, inflammation). Really itchy ears can be the outcome of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. The fix is to consult your doctor and address the underlying infection. Once that’s cleared up, the itching in your ears should go away.
- Skin disorders: Occasionally, a skin disorder can cause a reaction in spots you can’t reach. You can even end up with a condition called ear dandruff. You should talk to 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 trigger itchy ears!
Finding relief for your itchy ears
Itchy ears can take the joy out of pretty much everything. Finding the right treatment, and getting lasting relief can be absolutely life changing. Often, these itchy ears will not clear up by themselves (and if they do, it’ll feel like it takes ages), so there’s no point in attempting to wait it out, you’ll likely just prolong your suffering.
Stop paying attention to your itchy ears and go back to enjoying your life. Give us a call for a consultation.
