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 might think of is that bucket list item you just never seem to get to. Or, that itchy spot on your back that you just can’t manage to reach might spring to mind.
That’s sort of a horrible experience, right? Feeling that itch and being desperate to get to that spot on your back. That’s why we created back-scratchers.
Regrettably, when you’re dealing with an itchy ear, there isn’t any device to get at it. That itchy feeling is coming from inside your ear canal, someplace that you can’t physically reach (regardless how hard you try). If you’re ear itches in this way, it’s even more frustrating than that spot on your back.
Itchy ears can impact your everyday life
It might sound like a small problem, superficially. Itchy ears? It could be worse, right? At least your ears aren’t in pain or burning or on fire.
Here’s something to consider: 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 what if your ears are continuously itchy? You may find yourself, and your quality of life, significantly impacted.
Maybe you stay home and avoid interacting with friends. Or perhaps you attempt to overpower the sensation by listening to excessively loud music.
It stinks. But treatments and solutions do exist. Understanding 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 causing that itch? And what can you do about it? Depending on the root cause, itchy ears will have different solutions. Your ears might be being impacted by many root causes, as with many medical conditions. Among the most prevalent are the following:
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit in your ears snugly. This will produce the best returns and the best sound. But this snug fit can lead to irritation and itchiness when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly. This, in turn, can cause you to stop using your hearing aids as frequently, and that can be detrimental to your hearing. The solution is to come in and consult us for a proper fitting. We may even be able to mold your hearing aid so it fits your ear better.
- Allergies: Allergies can frequently cause itching. You can sometimes decrease your symptoms by using an over-the-counter allergy medication, such as an antihistamine. It can be tricky to pin down, sometimes, exactly what you’re allergic to. But itchy ears can be a consequence of a wide variety of allergens, including pollen. So your spring hay fever could quickly become itchy ears. If the itching persists, you should consult an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
- Ear infections: That’s correct, the source of your itchy ears could be a normal ear infection. Ear infections can arise at any time in life but happen more frequently when you’re younger. And when they do, fluid can accumulate in your ears. In addition, the tissues in your ears can start to swell (thank you, inflammation). Very itchy ears can be the result of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. The fix is to consult your doctor and address the underlying infection. Once that’s cleared up, the itching in your ears should go away.
- Skin disorders: Certain skin disorders can, occasionally, trigger itching that’s hard to get to. You can even end up with something called ear dandruff. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your options are. putting moisturizer in your ear isn’t a feasible or safe solution, after all. Once again, your doctor will be the best person to help you treat skin conditions that trigger itchy ears!
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s perfectly normal for your ears to create a copious 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 form. One reason is because of the use of cotton swabs to “clean” your ears, so if that’s happening, you should stop right away. At any rate, we should be able to remove most earwax blockages. So making an appointment can help bring you some relief.
Finding relief for your itchy ears
Just about every activity becomes less enjoyable with itchy ears. Your life can actually be changed by finding relief with the correct treatment. If you attempt 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.
Stop focusing on your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Give us a call for a consultation.
