Itchy Inner Ear

Has it ever happened to you that your inner year itches a lot and you cannot help but poke and scratch it! This condition can be very irritating, and if there is some problem that is left untreated, it can turn out to be painful, and serious too on rare occasions. But what exactly are the causes of an itchy inner ear? Is it just the lack of regular personal hygiene? Certainly not. It is not as simple as we think. There are some more reasons which will be discussed in short in the following segments.

Causes of an Itchy Inner Ear

The most common reason for itching in the inner ear is the accumulation of debris of minute dust particles in the ear. However, some more common causes of an itchy inner ear are:

• Skin Issues: Skin disorders can be figured out as one of the prime reasons for an itchy ear. Skin disorders such as eczema, allergic dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis, generally result in itching in the inner ear.
• Dry Itchy Inner Ear: Agreed that earwax can lead to many other hearing problems. However, the tendency to clean off natural earwax can lead to dry ears, which further results into itching. Such dry ears start accumulating the flakes of dead dry skin inside the ear. These flakes can prove to be itchy very frequently.
• Allergic Reactions: It is observed that hearing aids in some people have led to an itchy inner ear. This is on account of either the material (mostly plastic), or the polish on the material of the hearing aid that results in an allergic reaction in the inner portion of the ear. Reactions to dust and pollution are also a cause that is common
• Other Causes: Apart from the above mentioned causes, there are some more causes of an itchy inner ear. Sometimes, ear drops, chlorine water, and infection can also cause itching in the inner ear portion. Itching, be it in the inner ear or anywhere else, is many times also found to be a psychological problem. We unknowingly start scratching and poking the ear when we feel nervous or get lost in our own thoughts.

Itchy Inner Ear Treatment

The treatment to cure an itchy inner ear depends largely upon the underlying cause. If lack of earwax is the cause for itching, then you can put some drops of vegetable oil into the ears. Earwax built up would help in protecting the ear as well as reducing the itching in it. Some people are into the habit of cleaning earwax every now and then! For such cases, doctors will advise a ear cleaning schedule, which would facilitate the building of natural earwax and at the same time prevent excess formation. For skin problems, doctors will prescribe steroid creams which lower the allergic reactions and thus treat the itching. However, the best possible remedy is to follow proper ear hygiene regularly [and not frequently (unnecessarily!)]. Serious cases like an infection or trauma need to administered by proper medical intervention. So if you have a recurring problem, or there is a lot of pain involved, do not hesitate in getting your ears checked by an ENT specialist, who will determine if the problem is minor or serious, and will advise treatment accordingly.

Important Tips

• Earwax is generated for a reason. Do not clean the ears to remove earwax too frequently.
• Do not poke the ear with any sharp or pointed object. Damage can be permanent.
• Itching is one thing and pain is another. If there is persistent pain, get yourself checked as soon as possible.
• Use medication and ear drops only after getting them prescribed by a qualified doctor.
• Just like you wash your face and hands every time you come from out, make sure you wash your ears too, and prevent dust from accumulating in them.

An itchy inner ear is not a very serious condition most of the time. However, it should be treated promptly, as constant itching can pose harm to the delicate internal tissues and muscles of the ear. The parts of our body like the ears and the eyes should never be neglected, because they are made up of delicate parts themselves, and any damage might turn out to be a permanent disablement.