Itchy Ears

Sometimes, even a minor health ailment can trouble you a lot. Itchy ears is one such health condition that can cause too much of an irritation. Ears are a very sensitive part of our body and any ear problem should be treated promptly and with care. Before we look into the treatment for itchy ears, let us see what causes itchy ears.

What Causes Itchy Ears

Many of the causes of itchy ears are related to problems in the formation of earwax or cerumen. Earwax is a protective fluid produced by the ear glands for lubrication of the ear canals. An increase or decrease in the amount of earwax can lead to itchy ears. Swimmers usually face the problem of dry and itchy ears, because their ears do not produce enough earwax. Skin problems like eczema, seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis can also cause dry and itchy ears. Scratching itchy ears frequently, may cause damage to the inner lining of the ear, making it sensitive and prone to ear infections like otitis externa.

Itchiness inside the ear canal may also be due to fungal infections that develop because of constant exposure to water. This is commonly observed in swimmers. People who are allergic to dust particles can also suffer from itchy ears. Even people who are sensitive to shampoos and hair-sprays can develop itchy ear symptoms. Sometimes, bugs entering the ear canal can also lead to itchiness. If a bug gets stuck in the ear canal, it cannot escape, and thus causes itching, buzzing noises and irritation in the ear. Thus, we can conclude that earwax problems, allergies, skin problems, fungal infections and bugs, are some of the major causes of itchy ears.

Itchy Ear Treatment

As mentioned earlier, there are some simple home remedies that you can use to treat itchy ears. You can get instant relief by putting a few drops of oil in your ears. Olive oil, mineral oil and vegetable oil, are some of the oils that you can use. Itchy ears caused due to allergies, can be treated by taking an over-the-counter antihistamine. But it is wise to consult a doctor before going for any medication. If you are suffering from itchy ears due to constant exposure to water, then make sure you keep your ears dry and use some antifungal medication to prevent fungal infections. Itchy ears caused due to skin conditions like eczema, seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis, should be treated with help of an ENT specialist. If a bug has entered the ear canal, then try to remove it carefully by putting some warm water in your ear. If this does not work, then make an appointment with a physician. Given below are some more home remedies that you can use for getting rid of itchy ears.

• Add few garlic cloves to olive oil and crush them properly. Now boil this mixture and let it cool for sometime. Put drops of this mixture in your ear to get rid of any ear infection that causes itchy ears.
• Combine equal parts of vinegar and rubbing alcohol in a small bowl. Simply put the drops of this mixture into the affected ear and get instant relief from itchy ears.
• Always dry your ears completely after taking a bath.
• To avoid fungal infections due to constant exposure to water, place a heating pad over the ears.

Scratching of the ears is one of the major problems of itchy ears. The more you scratch your ears, the more itchy they become. The ear is very sensitive, so you should never insert any object into your ears to scratch them. Doing so may damage the inner ear or the eardrum, leaving your ear prone to infection. It is always wise to consult a health professional if the symptoms of itchy ears persist even after using these home remedies.