We’ve all experienced that itch that seemed impossible to scratch.
You might think about this in a couple of different ways: First, you consider something you always wanted to do with your life but you never 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 kind of a terrible experience, isn’t it? Feeling that itch and being desperate to get to that spot on your back. It’s why back-scratchers exist.
Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there’s no device that will get at it. That itchy feeling is coming from inside your ear canal, someplace that you physically can’t reach (no matter how hard you try). If you’re ear itches in this way, it’s even more aggravating than that spot on your back.
Your daily life can be affected by itchy ears
It may sound like a small problem, superficially. Itchy ears? It could be much worse, right? At least you’re not in horrible pain.
But think about it: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t do anything about it. If it occurs now and then, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But if your ears are itchy all the time? It could end up having a real impact 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’s not fun at all. But there are solutions and treatments. 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 itching? And what’s the solution? Depending on the root cause, itchy ears will have different solutions. Your ears could be being impacted by many underlying causes, as with many medical conditions. Here are some of the most prevalent:
- Skin disorders: Sometimes, a skin condition can cause a reaction in places you can’t reach. You can even end up with a condition called ear dandruff. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your solutions are. Using moisturizer in your ear isn’t a practical or safe option, after all. If you have this kind of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best option.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are made to fit snugly in your ears. That’s how you get the best sound and the most successful results. But this snug fit can lead to irritation and itchiness when your hearing aids don’t fit properly. This, in turn, can cause you to stop wearing your hearing aids as often, and that can be bad for your hearing. The answer is to come in and see us for a proper fitting. In some situations, hearing aids could even be custom molded to custom fit your ears.
- Ear infections: That’s correct, the source of your itchy ears could be a regular ear infection. Common in youth, ear infections can continue to strike at any time. And when they do, fluid can accumulate in your ears. Along with accumulation of fluid, swelling of the tissue can happen. Combined, this can lead to trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and really itchy ears. Addressing the infection with your doctor’s help is the solution. Your ears will normally stop itching when the infection goes away.
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s perfectly normal for your ears to generate a prodigious amount of wax. 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 thing you should stop doing right away is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. We can, in any case, help you get rid of any earwax difficulties. So making an appointment can help give you some relief.
- Allergies: Allergies can frequently cause itching. You can sometimes reduce your symptoms by taking an over-the-counter allergy medicine, like an antihistamine. It’s often difficult to determine exactly what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But a large number of allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. So your spring hay fever could quickly become itchy ears. An allergist will be the best place to look for a solution to this.
Getting treatment for your itchy ears, and relief
Just about every activity becomes less enjoyable with itchy ears. Your life can actually be changed by getting relief with the proper treatment. If you attempt to simply wait it out, you will most likely prolong your suffering because it’s not likely that the itching will clear itself up.
Stop paying attention to your itchy ears and go back to enjoying your life. Contact us for a consultation.