Have you ever had an itch that you just couldn’t reach?
Alright, there are two ways to think about 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 bit less of a romantic, you consider that spot on your back that you just can’t quite scratch.
That’s kind of a terrible experience, right? Having that itch and being desperate to scratch that spot on your back. That’s why we created back-scratchers.
Sadly, there’s no such device that can relieve itching in your ears. Regardless of how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into your ear canal where that itch is coming from. It’s worse than that spot on your back, and it isn’t shocking that itchy ears are probably driving you crazy.
Your everyday life can be impacted by itchy ears
On the surface, it sounds like a minor thing. Itchy ears? It could be worse, right? At least you aren’t in horrible pain.
But think about it: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t do anything about it. If it occurs once in a while, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But what if your ears are continuously itchy? It could end up having a significant impact on your quality of life.
Maybe you stay home and avoid socializing with friends. Or perhaps you try to overwhelm the sensation by listening to overly loud music.
It sucks. But treatments and strategies do exist. Knowing what’s causing your itchy ears is the first measure to finding a suitable treatment.
So what are some of the causes of itchy ears?
So what’s the cause of that itch? And what can be done about it? The treatment for itchy ears is going to vary depending on the underlying cause. As with many other medical conditions, there are a number of possible underlying conditions that could be impacting your ears. Amongst the most prevalent are the following:
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s perfectly normal for your ears to generate a prodigious amount of wax. You might be surprised to find out that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But there are several reasons why blockages can develop. One thing you should quit doing right away is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. At any rate, we should be able to remove most earwax blockages. So scheduling an appointment can help bring you some relief.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit into 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, in turn, can cause you to stop wearing your hearing aids as often, and that can be detrimental to your hearing. Making an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the solution. We may even be able to mold your hearing aid so it better fits your ear.
- Allergies: Allergies are tricky, and it’s not uncommon for them to trigger itching. In some instances, an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine, can ease itching caused by allergies. It can be tricky to pin down, sometimes, exactly what you’re allergic to. But a large number of allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. So your spring hay fever could quickly translate into itchy ears. An allergist will be the best place to seek a solution to this.
- Ear infections: Yes, the plain old ear infection could be the reason for your misery. Ear infections can occur at any time in life but happen more frequently when you’re younger. And when they do, fluid can build up in your ears. Along with accumulation of fluid, inflammation of the tissue can happen. Combined, this can lead to trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and extremely itchy ears. Treating the infection with your doctor’s help is the answer. Once that’s cleared up, your ears should stop itching.
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, occasionally, trigger itching that’s hard to get at. You can even end up with a condition called ear dandruff. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your options are. putting moisturizer in your ear isn’t a practical or safe solution, after all. Again, your doctor will be the best one to help you deal with skin conditions that trigger itchy ears!
Getting relief for your itchy ears
Pretty much every activity becomes less fun with itchy ears. Finding the best treatment, and getting lasting relief can be absolutely life changing. If you try to just wait it out, you will likely extend your suffering because it’s not likely that the itching will go away on its own.
If you find that your itchy ears are driving you crazy, make an appointment with us so you can stop thinking about the itch, and get back to the regular, everyday activities you enjoy.
