Have you been unable to keep your hands out of your ears? Are you constantly asking yourself, why do my ears itch? An itchy ear may be your sign of something being seriously wrong. In this blog, we discuss the many reasons that could be behind your itchy ears and how you can deal with them. Let’s get started!
Why Do My Ears Itch?
Many people have debated the meaning and reason behind itchy ears; some think it is due to improper ear hygiene, and others believe it can be a side effect of another ailment entirely. As the most well-known clinic for ear micro-suction in London, we have put together a list of reasons why your ears may be itching excessively.
1. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that dries up the skin throughout your body, including inside and around your ears. Itchy inner ears are a common symptom of this disease. The affected skin becomes patchy, scaly, and discolored. If you have an over-reactive immune system due to this disease, psoriasis may be the reason behind your itchy ears. This condition is chronic and doesn’t go away with treatment.
2. Ear Wax Buildup
A buildup of ear wax is the most common reason for an itchy inner ear. The natural mechanism of the ear allows it to produce wax to protect the inner mechanism of the ear canal from dead skin cells and debris. Slowly, the wax moves outward and falls off the ear.
When disturbed by an external force like cotton swabs, fingers, or a Kirby grip, this pushes the ear wax into the ear canal and causes a blockage. This blockage causes itching and serious issues like hearing loss and ear pain.
The best way to remove such a blockage is to visit a professional in your area. For example, if you live in London, you should book an appointment for ear wax removal in London.
3. Dermatitis
Dermatitis can also occur in the ear, and it results in your inner or outer ear becoming dry, discolored, bumpy, and itchy. Ear eczema severely damages the glue function of the skin cells, making them sensitive and more prone to infections. Luckily, ear eczema or dermatitis is not chronic and can be remedied with proper treatment.
4. Hay fever
Hay fever is an annually occurring infection that affects millions of people. Also known as Allergic rhinitis, it causes itchy ear allergies and other symptoms, including runny nose, sneezes, watery eyes, congestion, and headaches. The itchy ear passes once the hay fever finally dissipates.
5. Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear is a term used to identify the health issues caused by acute otitis externa, a disease caused by water in the ear. The reason why it’s named swimmer’s ear is because this disease is often seen in people who swim regularly.
Different types of bacteria can multiply in trapped water, and an ear canal is no exception. Swimmer’s ear tends to make your inner ear itchy, in addition to difficulty in hearing, ear aches, and inflammation.
6. Dandruff/Dryness
Dandruff due to dryness is one of the most commonly found causes of an itchy ear. People with dry skin or who are more prone to dandruff often deal with this issue. Even if your ear doesn’t have dandruff, when you scratch your dandruff-ridden scalp, the flakes fall down your head into the ear, making it itchy.
Another aspect of this is dryness in the ear itself. Your ears produce oils and wax naturally. When people clean their ears excessively, they end up removing the oil and wax, making it dry. This can cause dandruff in your ear.
7. Hearing Aids
Hearing aids also cause ear wax blockages within your ears. This is because when you put in your hearing aids, the earbud pushes the ear wax deeper into the ear canal. Additionally, most hearing aids have a plastic coating, which could be an irritant. Since inner ears tend to be more sensitive, some people may experience a mild allergic reaction to the plastic, which causes inflammation and an itchy inner ear.
8. Food Allergies
Many food allergies also result in the person having itchy ears. This occurs when a person eats something they are allergic to and their skin itches, starting from their ears and spreading to their neck and then throughout their body. During this reaction, the person’s skin breaks out into hives. Common foods that cause itchy ear allergies include fish, shellfish, nuts, milk, soy, and wheat.
9. Cleaning Your Ears
People tend to clean their ears every two to four weeks, but did you know that almost every other person is doing it wrong? Cleaning your ear the wrong way often causes ear blockages, results in inflammation, and even leads to hearing loss in severe conditions. Let’s explore what you might be doing wrong:
- If you are using Q-tips or cotton swabs to clean your ears, you are essentially just pushing ear wax into the ear canal.
- Using unconventional materials like a Kirby grip, matchsticks, or paper clips can end up scratching the inner skin of your ear and causing bacterial infections.
Both these methods are wrong and result in itching and damage to your ears. The only right way to clean your ears is by booking an appointment with a professional ear micro-suction establishment like Ear Wax Removal Clinics UK.
10. Infections
Bacterial and fungal infections occur when there is already pre-existing damage to the ear, or you have water trapped within the ear canal. When you scratch your inner or outer ear, there is a high chance you will develop some kind of infection. These types of infections cause inflammation and itching.
- Otitis externa is a kind of fungal or bacterial infection that occurs on the outer part of the ears. It occurs due to ear damage or a swimmer’s ear.
- Otitis media is a kind of bacterial or fungal infection that occurs within the middle region of the ear canal. This type of infection occurs when you have a ruptured ear drum or have ear tubes to help prevent drainage.
- Otomycosis is a type of fungal ear infection that also affects the outer ear. However, it is exclusively caused by Aspergillus fungi like Candida. This type of infection occurs mostly in humid regions. People who overuse antibiotic ear drops, have poor hygiene or have a weak immune system are at a higher risk of this disease.
11. Headphones/Airpods
Headphones and AirPods have an effect similar to hearing aids, where using them can cause itchy ear allergies or ear wax blockages.
12. Seborrheic dermatitis
This is a type of rash that affects the sebaceous oil glands within the ears, scalp, and eyebrows. It causes dandruff and the skin to flake off. In severe cases, this may cause the skin to become red and extremely itchy.
How Can I Make My Ears Stop Itching?
In order to remedy an itchy inner ear, all you need to do is consult a professional. An experienced audiologist will know how to ensure that your ears are in great health and help you remove any wax blockages or buildup. Make sure that you book an appointment with a reputable ear care clinic like Ear Wax Removal Clinics UK.
Conclusion
The reasons behind itchy inner ears can be countless, including itchy ear allergies, wax buildup, dandruff, infections, and improper ear-cleaning techniques. However, for each issue, the right solution is to seek professional help before the underlying condition worsens. So consult a reliable ear hygiene clinic like Ear Wax Removal Clinics UK to ensure clean and healthy ears.
