Find out here what’s making your ears itch so badly…
There’s something absolutely horrible about an itch you can’t scratch! Whether it’s an itch in a private place and you’re in public, or your itching in a place that you just can’t reach, nothing will drive you crazy faster than an itch that won’t go away.
Your ears are pretty sensitive organs, with a lot of tiny moving parts (in your inner and middle ear). These little parts are all prone to infections and other issues, all of which can lead to serious itching going on in your ear.
If you’ve got an itchy ear, here are a few reasons why:
- Rhinitis — No, it’s not a disease that turns you into a rhino, but it’s an inflammation in your nasal cavity. It’s usually caused by allergies (pollen, dust, cat dander, etc.). Most people see it as the classic runny nose, but it’s usually a bit worse than that. The inflammation can cause your nose to run a lot, and if the swelling spreads to your ear canal (remember your nose, ears, and throat are all connected), you will likely experience blocked and itchy ears. The itch will only stop once the swelling clears up.
- Psoriasis –– Psorasis is a skin condition most people associate with the face, but it can set into your ears as well. It is a chronic, non-contagious condition, so you won’t have to worry about passing it on to anyone else. If you notice patches of white, flaking skin around your extremely itchy ear, it may be a sign that you have psoriasis. Definitely not one of the easier skin conditions to deal with, especially in your ear!
READ MORE: Itchy Penis? Here’s Why…
- Otitis Externa –-This is an infection that sets into the tube that connects the outer part of your ear (the opening) to your ear drum (the part of your ear that detects vibration). You may find that even slight noises tend to irritate your ear and make it itch, and this is due to the infection. Once again, not an easy one to treat, but one that you need to get rid of before it becomes a more serious problem.
- Earwax Blockage –– There are a lot of things that can cause a buildup of ear wax in your ears. Excess sound, dust in the air, bacterial infections, and many other things can cause wax to accumulate in your ears. A lot of wax may cause more than just horrible itching, but it can lead to blockages in your ear and even limit your hearing. It’s not easy to clean out, as using a Q-tip may just push whatever is blocking your ear deeper in. The best solution to deal with earwax blockage is to use hydrogen peroxide to soften the wax enough that you can remove it easily.
- Malignant Otitis Externa — This is a problem commonly known as “swimmer’s ear”, due to the fact that it is an infection most common among people who swim in dirty or contaminated water. When bacteria from the dirty water get into the ear, it may cause an infection in the inner ear. The infection can even spread to the outer ear, the tissue around your ear, and possibly even to the bones of your ear. Definitely not one of the problems you want to leave untreated!
Now you know what could be causing your itchy ear, so it’s up to you to get to your doctor and find out which is the villain in your discomfort!
