My Itchy Ears Are Driving Me Nuts

Woman with itchy ear putting a finger into her ear at office isolated white background

We’ve all had that itch that seemed impossible to scratch.

You may think about this in a couple of different ways: The first thing you might 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, isn’t it? Feeling that itch and being desperate to scratch that spot on your back. That’s why we created back-scratchers.

Regrettably, when you’re dealing with an itchy ear, there’s no device to get at it. Regardless of how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into your ear canal where it’s itching. If you’re ear itches like this, it’s even more frustrating than that spot on your back.

Itchy ears can impact your daily life

On the surface, it sounds like a minor thing. It’s only itchy ears, right? At least you aren’t in terrible pain.

Here’s something to consider: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t do anything about it. No big deal, if it only occurs now and then. But what if your ears are continuously itchy? It may end up having a real affect on your quality of life.

Perhaps you stay home and avoid socializing with friends. Or perhaps you attempt to overwhelm the sensation by listening to overly loud music.

It sucks. But treatments and strategies do exist. Discovering the best way to address itchy ears means understanding what causes them in the first place.

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 differ depending on the underlying cause. Your ears may be being impacted by many root causes, as with many medical conditions. Here are a few of the most common:

  • Ear infections: Yup, the regular old ear infection might be the culprit behind your distress. 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. At the same time, the tissues inside of your ears can begin to become inflamed. Very itchy ears can be the result of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. The fix is to speak with your doctor and address the underlying infection. Once that’s cleared up, your ears should stop itching.
  • Allergies: Allergies are challenging, and it’s not unusual for them to trigger itching. You can often decrease your symptoms by taking an over-the-counter allergy medication, such as an antihistamine. It can be difficult to pin down, sometimes, precisely what you’re allergic to. But a great many allergens, including pollen, can cause your ears to itch. Itchy ears could quickly come from your spring hay fever. If the itching continues, you should talk to an allergist about finding a solution (and relief).
  • You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s completely normal for your ears to create a copious 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 due to the use of cotton swabs to “clean” your ears, so if that’s happening, you should stop immediately. We can, in any case, help you clear up any earwax troubles. So scheduling an appointment can help give you some relief.
  • Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, at times, trigger itching that’s difficult to get to. There’s even a condition called ear dandruff that can happen. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your solutions are. It’s not exactly convenient to slather your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever suggest you try. If you have this kind of skin condition, your doctor is, once again, your best option.
  • 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 impacted if this causes you to stop using your hearing aids as frequently. Making an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the answer. We may even be able to mold your hearing aid so it better fits your ear.

Finding treatment for your itchy ears, and comfort

Pretty much every activity becomes less fun with itchy ears. Finding the right treatment, and getting lasting relief can be absolutely life changing. If you try to simply wait it out, you will likely extend your suffering because it isn’t likely that the itching will go away on its own.

If you find that your itchy ears are driving you crazy, schedule an appointment with us so you can stop thinking about the itch, and get back to the regular, everyday activities you enjoy.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Schedule an appointment to see if hearing aids could benefit you.