Have you ever had an itch that you just couldn’t scratch?
Alright, there are two ways to think about it: First, you think about something you always wanted to do in life but you never got around to (skydiving, for example). Or, that itchy spot on your back that you just can’t seem to reach may spring to mind.
That’s kind of a terrible experience, right? Desperately attempting to scratch that itchy spot on your back. That’s why we created back-scratchers.
Unfortunately, there’s no such device that can get rid of itching inside of your ears. 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 isn’t shocking that itchy ears are most likely driving you nuts.
Itchy ears can affect your everyday life
It may sound like a small problem, superficially. It’s just itchy ears, right? At least you’re not in terrible pain.
But think about it: There’s no relief for an itchy ear. If it happens from time to time, sure, it’s not that big of a deal. But what if your ears are constantly itchy? You could find yourself, and your quality of life, considerably affected.
Perhaps you stay home and stop interacting with friends. Maybe you begin listening to music at increasing volumes attempting to drown out that itchy feeling.
It sucks. But there are solutions and treatments. Understanding what’s causing your itchy ears is the first step to discovering an appropriate treatment.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So what’s causing that itch? And what can be done about it? The treatment for itching ears is going to differ depending on the underlying cause. As with most other medical conditions, there are several possible underlying conditions that might be affecting your ears. Amongst the most prevalent are the following:
- Ear infections: Yup, the plain old ear infection might be the reason for your misery. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to strike at any age. Ear infection can cause fluid buildup in your ear. Along with accumulation of fluid, swelling of the tissue can take place. Combined, this can lead to trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and very itchy ears. Treating the infection with the help of your doctor is the answer. Once that’s cleared up, the itching in your ears should go away.
- Allergies: Allergies are tricky, and it’s not uncommon for them to trigger itching. In some instances, an over-the-counter allergy medication, such as an antihistamine, can relieve itching caused by allergies. It can be tricky to pin down, sometimes, precisely what you’re allergic to. But a large number of allergens, including pollen, can cause your ears to itch. Itchy ears could quickly come from your spring hay fever. An allergist will be the right place to look for a solution to this.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are made to fit snugly in your ears. This will create the best results and the best sound. But this snug fit can lead to irritation and itchiness when your hearing aids don’t fit properly. Your hearing can be negatively affected if this causes you to stop wearing your hearing aids as often. The solution is to come in and see us for a proper fitting. We might even be able to mold your hearing aid so it better fits your ear.
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, occasionally, trigger itching that’s difficult to get at. You can even find yourself with a condition called ear dandruff. You should speak with your doctor about what your solutions are. It isn’t exactly easy to slather your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever recommend you try. If you have this kind of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best option.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are generating a significant amount of wax, that’s not abnormal. You may be surprised to learn that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But there are several reasons why blockages can develop. 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 making an appointment can help give you some relief.
Finding treatment for your itchy ears, and comfort
Pretty much every activity becomes less enjoyable with itchy ears. Your life can actually be changed by finding relief with the proper treatment. 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 trying to wait it out, you’ll likely just prolong your suffering.
Stop focusing on your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Call us for a consultation.