My Itchy Ears Are Driving Me Crazy

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

Have you ever experienced an itch that you just couldn’t scratch?

You might 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 little less of a romantic, you consider that spot on your back that you just can’t quite reach.

That’s sort of a horrible experience, right? Having that itch and being desperate to get to that spot on your back. That’s why we invented back-scratchers.

Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there isn’t any device to get at it. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into your ear canal where that itch is coming from. If you’re ear itches in this way, it’s even more irritating than that spot on your back.

Your daily life can be affected by itchy ears

At first glance, it sounds like a small thing. Itchy ears? It could be worse, 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. No fuss, if it only happens once in a while. But what if your ears are continuously itchy? You may find yourself, and your quality of life, substantially impacted.

Maybe you stay home and stop socializing with friends. Maybe you start listening to louder and louder music attempting to drown out that itchy feeling.

It’s not at all fun. But there are strategies and treatments. Knowing what’s causing your itchy ears is the first step to discovering the right treatment.

So what causes your ears to itch?

So what’s causing that itch? And what can you do about it? The solution for itchy ears is going to differ depending on the underlying cause. Your ears might be being impacted by many root causes, as with most medical conditions. Among the most common are the following:

  • Skin disorders: Certain skin disorders can, occasionally, cause itching that’s hard to get at. There’s even a disorder called ear dandruff that can happen. You should speak with your doctor about what your options are. putting moisturizer in your ear isn’t a viable or safe option, after all. Once again, your doctor will be the best person to help you deal with skin conditions that cause itchy ears!
  • Ear infections: That’s right, the cause of your itchy ears can be a regular ear infection. Prevalent in youth, ear infections can continue to happen at any time. And when they do, fluid can build up in your ears. Along with accumulation of fluid, swelling of the tissue can happen. Very itchy ears can be the result of this trapped fluid and irritated tissue. Treating the infection with the help of your doctor is the answer. Once that’s cleared up, your ears should stop itching.
  • You have an earwax blockage: Look, it’s perfectly normal for your ears to create a prodigious amount of wax. That’s because wax is good for your ears and (counter-intuitively) helps clean them! But this blockage can form for a number of reasons. One thing you should stop doing immediately is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. At any rate, we should be able to clear up most earwax blockages. So you will get some relief by making an appointment with us.
  • Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit into your ears snugly. This will yield the best returns and the best sound. But this snug fit can turn into irritation and itchiness when your hearing aids don’t fit properly. This, as a result, can cause you to stop wearing your hearing aids as frequently, and that can be detrimental to your hearing. Schedule an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the answer. We might even be able to mold your hearing aid so it better fits your ear.
  • Allergies: Allergies can sometimes cause itching. You can sometimes minimize your symptoms by using an over-the-counter allergy medicine, such as an antihistamine. It can be difficult to pin down, sometimes, exactly what you’re allergic to. But a large number of allergens, including pollen, can trigger itchy ears. So your spring hay fever could quickly become itchy ears. An allergist will be the best place to seek a solution to this.

Getting 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 correct treatment. If you attempt to just wait it out, you will probably extend your suffering because it isn’t likely that the itching will go away on its own.

Stop paying attention to your itchy ears and get back to enjoying your life. Contact us for a consultation.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.