Have you ever experienced an itch that you just couldn’t 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 example). Or, if you’re a bit less of a romantic, you think about that spot on your back that you just can’t quite scratch.
That’s kind of a terrible experience, right? Feeling that itch and being desperate to scratch that spot on your back. It’s the reason why back-scratchers exist.
Sadly, there isn’t a device that can get rid of itching inside of your ears. No matter 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 shocking that itchy ears are probably driving you nuts.
Your everyday life can be affected by itchy ears
It may sound like a minor problem, superficially. Itchy ears? It could be 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. If it occurs from time to time, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But if your ears are itchy all the time? You could find yourself, and your quality of life, substantially affected.
Maybe you stay home and avoid interacting with friends. Maybe you begin listening to louder and louder music attempting to drown out that itchy feeling.
It sucks. But there are strategies and treatments. Finding the best way to deal with itchy ears means knowing what causes them to begin with.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So what’s the cause of that itch? And what can be done about it? Depending on the root cause, itchy ears will have different solutions. As with most other medical conditions, there are several possible root conditions that could be affecting your ears. Amongst the most common are the following:
- Ear infections: Yes, the plain old ear infection might be the reason for your distress. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to strike at any time. Ear infection can cause an accumulation of fluid in your ear. In addition, the tissues inside of your ears can begin to become inflamed. Together, this can lead to trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and really itchy ears. Treating the infection with the help of your doctor is the answer. Once that’s cleared up, your ears should stop itching.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit into your ears snugly. That’s how you get the best 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 affected 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. We might even be able to mold your hearing aid so it better fits your ear.
- Allergies: Allergies can frequently cause itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medicine, like an antihistamine, can alleviate itching caused by allergies. It’s often difficult to figure out precisely what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But itchy ears can be a consequence of a wide variety of allergens, including pollen. So your spring hay fever could very easily translate into itchy ears. If the itching lingers, you should talk to an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are creating a substantial amount of wax, that’s not abnormal. That’s because wax is good for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps keep them clean! But this blockage can form for numerous reasons. One reason is due to 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 remove most earwax blockages. So you will get some relief by scheduling an appointment with us.
- Skin disorders: Occasionally, a skin condition can cause a reaction in places you can’t reach. You can even find yourself with a condition called ear dandruff. Your doctor will be able to help you determine what your solutions are. putting moisturizer in your ear isn’t a practical or safe solution, after all. If you have this kind of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best bet.
Getting relief for your itchy ears
Itchy ears can take the pleasure out of just about everything. Finding the right treatment, and getting lasting 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 ages), so there’s no point in attempting to wait it out, you’ll probably just prolong your suffering.
Stop focusing on your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Give us a call for a consultation.