We’ve all had that itch that seemed impossible to reach.
Okay, there are two ways to consider it: First, you think about something you always wanted to do with your life but you never got around to (skydiving, for instance). Or, if you’re a bit less of a romantic, you think about that spot on your back that you just can’t quite reach.
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.
Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there isn’t any device to get at it. 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 probably driving you nuts.
Your everyday life can be impacted by itchy ears
It may sound like a minor problem, superficially. It’s just itchy ears, 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 happens once in a while, sure, it’s not that big of a deal. But if your ears are itchy constantly? You may find yourself, and your quality of life, considerably affected.
Maybe the sensation is so uncomfortable that you stop eating out or spending time with friends. Maybe you start listening to music at increasing volumes attempting to drown out that itchy feeling.
It stinks. But treatments and strategies do exist. Knowing what’s causing your itchy ears is the first step to finding the right treatment.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So why are your ears itching? And what can be done about it? The treatment for itching ears is going to differ depending on the underlying cause. Your ears could be being impacted by many underlying causes, as with many medical conditions. Amongst the most prevalent are the following:
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are made to fit snugly in your ears. That’s how you get the optimum sound and the most effective results. But when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly, this snugness can quickly turn into irritation and itchiness. Your hearing can be negatively impacted if this causes you to stop using your hearing aids as frequently. Schedule an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the answer. In some cases, hearing aids could even be custom molded to better fit your ears.
- Ear infections: Yes, the regular old ear infection might be the culprit behind your distress. Ear infections can arise at any time in life but happen more often when you’re younger. And when they do, fluid can accumulate in your ears. Along with fluid buildup, swelling of the tissue can take place. Extremely itchy ears can be the outcome of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. Addressing the infection with your doctor’s help is the solution. Once that’s cleared up, your ears should stop itching.
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s completely normal for your ears to produce 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 develop for numerous reasons. 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 clear up most earwax blockages. So making an appointment can help bring you some relief.
- Allergies: Allergies are challenging, and it’s not unusual for them to trigger itching. In some cases, an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine, can alleviate itching due to allergies. It’s often difficult to figure out exactly what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But a great many allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. Itchy ears could quickly come from your spring hay fever. An allergist will be the best place to seek a solution to this.
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, occasionally, trigger itching that’s difficult to get at. You can even end up with something called ear dandruff. You should talk to your doctor about what your options are. putting moisturizer in your ear isn’t a feasible or safe option, after all. If you have this kind of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best bet.
Getting treatment for your itchy ears, and comfort
Itchy ears can take the joy out of just about everything. Finding the best treatment, and getting lasting relief can be absolutely life changing. Often, these itchy ears will not clear up on their own (and if they do, it’ll feel like it takes ages), so there’s no point in attempting to wait it out, you’ll likely just prolong your suffering.
Stop paying attention to your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Contact us for a consultation.