Have you ever had an itch that you just couldn’t scratch?
Okay, there are two ways to consider it: First, you consider something you always wanted to do with your life but you never got around to (skydiving, for example). Or, if you’re a little less of a romantic, you consider that spot on your back that you just can’t quite scratch.
That’s really aggravating! Desperately attempting to scratch that itchy spot on your back. That’s why we invented back-scratchers.
Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there isn’t any device that will get at it. That itchy feeling is coming from inside your ear canal, somewhere that you physically can’t reach (regardless how hard you try). It’s worse than that spot on your back, and it isn’t shocking that itchy ears are most likely driving you nuts.
Itchy ears can impact your daily life
It might sound like a small issue, superficially. It’s only itchy ears, right? At least your ears aren’t aching or burning or on fire.
But think about it: There’s no alleviation for an itchy ear. If it occurs from time to time, sure, it’s not that big of a deal. But if your ears are itchy all the time? You may find yourself, and your quality of life, substantially affected.
Perhaps you stay home and stop socializing with friends. Maybe you start listening to music at increasing volumes attempting to drown out that itchy feeling.
It’s not fun at all. But treatments and strategies do exist. Knowing what’s causing your itchy ears is the first measure to finding an appropriate 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? Depending on the root cause, itchy ears will have differing solutions. As with most other medical conditions, there are several possible root conditions that might be impacting your ears. Amongst the most prevalent are the following:
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are designed to fit snugly in your ears. This will create the best results and the best sound. But when your hearing aids don’t fit properly, this snugness can quickly turn to irritation and itchiness. Your hearing can be negatively affected if this causes you to stop wearing your hearing aids as frequently. Making an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the solution. In some situations, hearing aids could even be custom molded to custom fit your ears.
- Allergies: Allergies can sometimes cause itching. You can often minimize your symptoms by taking an over-the-counter allergy medicine, such as an antihistamine. It’s often challenging to figure out exactly what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But a large number of allergens, including pollen, can cause your ears to itch. Itchy ears could easily come from your spring hay fever. An allergist will be the best place to look for a solution to this.
- Ear infections: Yes, the regular old ear infection could be the reason for your distress. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to strike at any time. And when they do, fluid can build up in your ears. Along with fluid buildup, inflammation of the tissue can occur. Extremely itchy ears can be the result of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. The solution is to talk to your doctor and treat the root infection. Once that’s cleared up, your ears should stop itching.
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s perfectly normal for your ears to produce a copious amount of wax. You may be surprised to find out that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But this blockage can form for a number of reasons. One reason is because of the use of cotton swabs to “clean” your ears, so if you’re doing that, you should stop right away. We can, in any case, help you clear up any earwax troubles. So you will get some relief by scheduling an appointment with us.
- Skin disorders: Certain skin disorders can, occasionally, cause itching that’s difficult to get at. There’s even a condition called ear dandruff that can occur. You should consult your doctor about what your solutions are. Using moisturizer in your ear isn’t a viable or safe option, after all. If you have this type of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best bet.
Finding relief for your itchy ears
Itchy ears can take the joy out of just about anything. Your life can actually be changed by finding relief with the proper treatment. Usually, these itchy ears will not clear up on their own (and if they do, it’ll feel like it takes forever), so there’s no point in attempting to wait it out, you’ll probably just prolong your suffering.
Stop paying attention to your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Call us for a consultation.