Have you ever experienced an itch that you just couldn’t reach?
You might consider this in a couple of different ways: The first thing you may think of is that bucket list item you just never seem to get to. Or, if you’re a little less of a romantic, you consider that spot on your back that you just can’t quite reach.
That’s so aggravating! Desperately trying 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 that will get at it. That itchy feeling is coming from inside your ear canal, someplace that you physically can’t reach (no matter how hard you try). It’s even worse than that spot on your back, and it isn’t surprising that itchy ears are most likely driving you mad.
Your everyday life can be impacted by itchy ears
On the surface, it sounds like a minor thing. It’s only itchy ears, right? At least your ears aren’t aching or burning or throbbing.
Here’s something to consider: There’s no relief for an itchy ear. If it happens once in a while, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But what if your ears are always itchy? It might end up having a significant impact on your quality of life.
Maybe the sensation is so unpleasant that you stop going out for dinner or seeing friends. Maybe you begin listening to music at increasing volumes trying to drown out that itchy feeling.
It stinks. But treatments and strategies do exist. Knowing what’s causing your itchy ears is the first measure to discovering an appropriate treatment.
So what causes your ears to itch?
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 may be being affected by many underlying causes, as with most medical conditions. Amongst the most common are the following:
- Allergies: Allergies are challenging, and it’s not unusual for them to cause itching. You can often reduce your symptoms by using an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine. It’s frequently challenging to figure out exactly what you’re having an allergic reaction to. But itchy ears can be a consequence of a large number of allergens, including pollen. Itchy ears could easily come from your spring hay fever. An allergist will be the right place to seek a solution to this.
- Ear infections: Yes, the plain old ear infection might be the reason for your distress. Ear infections can arise at any age but happen more frequently when you’re younger. And when they do, fluid can accumulate in your ears. In addition, the tissues inside of your ears can begin to become inflamed. Really itchy ears can be the outcome of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. Treating the infection with your doctor’s help is the solution. Once that’s cleared up, your ears should stop itching.
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Hearing aids are designed to fit snugly in your ears. That’s how you get the optimum sound and the most effective results. 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 frequently. The answer is to come in and see us for a proper fitting. We may even be able to mold your hearing aid so it fits your ear better.
- You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s completely normal for your ears to create a prodigious amount of wax. That’s because wax is good for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps keep them clean! But there are a number of reasons why blockages can form. One thing you should quit doing right away is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. We can, in any case, help you clear up any earwax difficulties. So making an appointment can help give you some relief.
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, occasionally, cause itching that’s difficult to get at. There’s even a disorder called ear dandruff that can happen. You should consult your doctor about what your options are. It’s not exactly easy to slather your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever recommend you try. If you have this type of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best bet.
Finding treatment for your itchy ears, and relief
Itchy ears can take the fun out of just about everything. Your life can actually be changed by finding relief with the correct treatment. Usually, these itchy ears will not go away by themselves (and if they do, it’ll feel like it takes forever), 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. Give us a call for a consultation.
