Why Are My Ear Canals Itchy?

If you are reading this it is probably because your ears are really itchy right now and you aren't sure as to why your ears are itching. Before you go shoving a q-tip in your ear or any other foreign object, read below to find out other methods to relieve your itchy ear.

Too Much Wax or Not Enough Wax

This may not make much sense to you, but having too much or not enough ear wax in your ear canal can cause the inside of your ear to be itchy. You need just the right amount of ear wax in there to avoid that itchy feeling. If you have too much ear wax in your ear you might have the annoying feelings of ear fullness or muffled hearing. If you have too much ear wax in your ear, the best thing may be for you to see a doctor to have the wax removed professionally. Some people do not produce enough ear wax in their ear. Swimmers are prone to this and generally experience dry skin inside the ear canal causing the itchy feeling. To relieve these symptoms, a drop of olive oil into the affected ear or ears may be just the ticket.

Itchy Ear Canals can be a Part of Your Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Allergies can also be a reason for that itchy feeling in the ear. Those that suffer from seasonal allergies report itchy ears as one of their symptoms of seasonal allergies. The allergy causes a histamine release that in turn causes the person to have itchy ear canals. Try some basic over the counter allergy medications to see if this helps you find relief from itchy ear canals.

Skin Conditions Can Cause Itchy Ear Canals

Some skin conditions such as seborrhea dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema can also affect the ears and cause itchy ears. Psoriasis in the ear canals causes scaling of the skin and blockage that may limit your normal hearing and usually require irrigation of the ear by a trained physician. Steroid creams or drops are generally used if the itchy ear canal is caused by severe eczema or seborrhea dermatitis.

Is There a Bug in Your Ear

Some other causes of itchy ear may be sensitivity to some hair sprays or shampoos. Even worse, the cause may be due to a bug that has taken up residency in your ear canal. If you have a persistent itchy ear and the above recommendations do not apply to you or have not helped you, you should see a doctor. The doctor will be able to use an otoscope to look into the ear canal and determine the cause of your itchy ear. Just remember, nothing smaller than the size of your elbow should go into your ear.