Ear canal skin is very sensitive. All kinds of things can start an
ear itch. The slightest accumulation of debris, even a dead hair, may be
felt as an itching sensation. A normal ear has a thin layer of natural
body oil but some ears produce no ear wax which results in dry and itchy
ear skin due to accumulation of flakes of dry dead skin.
Causes of itchy ears:
Having skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis (the same troublemaker responsible for dandruff) is a clue that it could be responsible for the ear itch.
Moisture caused by earwax build-up or excessive ear cleaning can also cause itching ears. It is true that oftentimes itchiness of the ears (inside the ear, usually) can be caused by allergy. Swimmer’s ear or acute otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear and ear canal, often resulting from water becoming trapped in the ear. Fungal infections in the ear canal have also been known to cause ear itching.
Symptom Relief
General principles are to avoid aggressive cleaning and to keep the ear dry. When the itch starts, here’s what to do.
Don’t try to scratch it. Sticking a cotton swab—or if you’re really foolish, a house key or paper clip—in your ear could damage your eardrum. “Doctors have an old saying: Never stick anything smaller than your elbow in your ear. And I mean it”.
Oil that itch. A drop or two of mineral oil, olive oil or some other vegetable oil can soothe an itchy ear instantly.
Remove the earwax. Meet with an Otolaryngologist or use wax solvents to remove the wax. However remember that a little earwax actually helps prevent itching.
Treat the underlying skin problem. Meet with your skin specialist and treat the cause.
See your doctor. Because it’s difficult to see many of the causes of itching—like a fungal infection—you may benefit from consulting with your doctor if the itching persists for more than a few days.
Causes of itchy ears:
Having skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis (the same troublemaker responsible for dandruff) is a clue that it could be responsible for the ear itch.
Moisture caused by earwax build-up or excessive ear cleaning can also cause itching ears. It is true that oftentimes itchiness of the ears (inside the ear, usually) can be caused by allergy. Swimmer’s ear or acute otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear and ear canal, often resulting from water becoming trapped in the ear. Fungal infections in the ear canal have also been known to cause ear itching.
Symptom Relief
General principles are to avoid aggressive cleaning and to keep the ear dry. When the itch starts, here’s what to do.
Don’t try to scratch it. Sticking a cotton swab—or if you’re really foolish, a house key or paper clip—in your ear could damage your eardrum. “Doctors have an old saying: Never stick anything smaller than your elbow in your ear. And I mean it”.
Oil that itch. A drop or two of mineral oil, olive oil or some other vegetable oil can soothe an itchy ear instantly.
Remove the earwax. Meet with an Otolaryngologist or use wax solvents to remove the wax. However remember that a little earwax actually helps prevent itching.
Treat the underlying skin problem. Meet with your skin specialist and treat the cause.
See your doctor. Because it’s difficult to see many of the causes of itching—like a fungal infection—you may benefit from consulting with your doctor if the itching persists for more than a few days.
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