Itchy ears are a very common problem. For some people the problem is so bad that they stick various objects into the ears, causing trauma to the ear canal. The most common causes of itching are a nervous habit, fungal infection or the beginning of an infection. Other causes can be skin diseases such as psoriasis or dermatitis. Some people with allergies complain of itchy ears.
Ear Infections
Itchiness is one early symptom of an ear infection. Itchy ears can sometimes be due to an infection or a sign that one is developing. Bacteria and viruses can cause ear infections in conjunction with a cold or flu. Infections can also occur if someone has water trapped in their ear or a buildup of earwax.
If you have sensitive ear canals, don't use earplugs to protect your ears from noise, dust or water too often. That's also true for the use of in-ear headphones when you listen to music or make phone calls. It might be better to try different headphones if you're prone to outer ear infections.
If you've noticed that certain shampoos, soaps or other cosmetic products lead to ear infections, it's best to try out other products instead.
Chronic ear infections are recurring and may require medical treatment.
Dry Ears
Ears usually produce oil and earwax to keep the ear clean and healthy. If people clean their ear too much, it can remove the wax from the ear and dry it out, causing irritating itchiness. Other people may not produce enough ear wax naturally, resulting in dry ears. If people have dry ears, they may notice flakes of dry skin around their ear.
Dry ears can also be linked to skin allergies, and to other dry skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. In most cases, it can easily be treated.
Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin. Different forms of dermatitis can be the result of an allergic reaction to shampoos or skin-cleansing products. They can also occur without any known causes, such as in the form of dermatitis known as dandruff.
Gentle cleaning of the ears can be helpful if dry ears are the result of dry or windy weather conditions. The aim is to remove irritants, such as dust while keeping the ear’s natural moisture balance. In harsh climates, both hot and cold, petroleum jelly can help soothe and moisturize dry ears. Preparations containing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar are not usually helpful for dry ears but may help relieve itchy ears.
Food Allergies
While earaches are far from being the most common symptom of seasonal allergies, the membrane lining of the eustachian tube can react to an allergen such as pollen by becoming inflamed. This inflammation can lead to an imbalance in pressure in the ear with fluid buildup, which can cause a feeling of a blocked ear or an earache.
An allergic reaction to a certain food can cause people to have itchy ears. Common food allergies include nuts, milk, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy. People may also experience itchiness on the rest of the face. Some people develop hives.
Oral allergy syndrome is a type of allergic reaction related to pollen that typically causes itchiness around the mouth, but some people also report having itchy ears. Common foods that cause oral allergy syndrome include fruits, such as apples, melons, cherries, kiwi, bananas, sunflower seeds, almonds and hazelnuts.
Allergic Rhinitis
Throughout the world, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis has slightly escalated. Currently, approximately 10 to 30% of adults and 40% of children are affected.
Allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever, can cause itching in the ear and also affect your throat health. Seasonal hay fever occurs due to pollen from grasses or trees and mold spores carried by air. It affects people in spring, summer, and early fall.
Perennial hay fever occurs due to allergens such as dust mites, dander (pet hair), and mold. It can affect people at any time of the year.
Symptoms include itchy ears and throat as well as watery eyes, a runny nose, headaches and sneezing. It is particularly bad in the summer so if you notice that you have itchy ears and an itchy throat when the weather is warm, that may be a sign that you have hay fever.
If you have a seasonal allergy, you might have a greater risk of an ear infection. When the pollen counts are high, it’s likely that allergic reactions will cause inflammation and congestion. The release of histamines can cause inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the nasal cavities and ears. This inflammation can result in a blockage in the ears that prevents fluid or mucus from draining away, setting the stage for infection and leading to ear pain from the pressure building up inside the ears.
Earwax Blockage
A buildup of earwax can cause itchy ears and affect a person’s hearing.The ears produce earwax to help keep the ear clean and protect the inner ear from infection. Earwax naturally moves out of the ear, carrying dead skin cells and debris, where it will then dry out and fall away over time. Too much earwax can make your ears itch .
A buildup of earwax can happen if people stick something into their ear canal, which is the small tunnel that connects the outer ear to the middle and inner ear.
If people insert a cotton swab, bobby pin, finger, or twisted cloth into their ear, it can irritate the ear canal and push earwax farther back, causing a blockage. An earwax blockage can trap bacteria in the ear and cause an infection.
A healthy ear is a self-cleaning organ and does not normally require manual or invasive cleaning.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids can sometimes cause itchy ears because of their plastic coating. Some people may have sensitive skin or a mild allergic reaction to the material. People wearing hearing aids may also experience itchy ears if water gets trapped behind the hearing aid.
Itchy ears or ear canals are common for hearing aid users, especially new users. It’s fairly common for skin issues like eczema to flare up with the introduction of a hearing aid. If there is no other explanation, then the irritation may be related to the hearing aid.
Keep it clean! Hearing aids can trap moisture which can lead to skin irritation. Practice proper ear and hearing aid hygiene. Trapped moisture can also lead to bacterial growth and potential infection. Excess ear wax can contribute to trapped moisture and may lead to itching. A poorly-fitted hearing aid is an irritant and the body will respond to all irritants.
Swimmer’s Ear
If water gets trapped in the ear, it can cause a condition called acute otitis externa. This condition is also known as swimmer’s ear because it frequently affects swimmers. Bacteria can multiply in the trapped water, causing an infection.
Symptoms of swimmer’s ear usually appear within a few days of swimming and include itchiness inside the ear, redness and swelling of the ear, pain when the infected ear is tugged or when pressure is placed on the ear , pus draining from the infected ear. Although all age groups are affected by swimmer’s ear, it is more common in children and can be extremely painful.
To reduce the risk of swimmer’s ear do keep your ears as dry as possible and use a bathing cap, ear plugs, or custom-fitted swim molds when swimming. Do dry your ears thoroughly after swimming or showering. Use a towel to dry your ears well. Tilt your head to hold each ear facing down to allow water to escape the ear canal. Pull your earlobe in different directions while the ear is faced down to help water drain out. If there is still water left in your ears, consider using a hair dryer to move air within the ear canal. Put the dryer on the lowest heat and speed/fan setting; hold it several inches from the ear.
DON’T put objects in the ear canal (including cotton-tip swabs, pencils, paperclips, or fingers). DON’T try to remove ear wax.
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