Still, you probably want to know what causes it. Below, doctors explain the causes of ear itching, home remedies to relieve it, and symptoms indicating when it’s time to see a specialist, according to “Prevention.”
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Dr. Hae-Ok Ana Kim, head of the surgery department at Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center, says that when you feel the urge to stick your pinky finger into the ear canal and move it, you are actually trying to reach the skin of the external auditory canal. However, this area is difficult for the human hand to reach.
Next, ear health specialists explain what happens when you feel that annoying urge to scratch and how to maintain ear health and avoid itching.
Why does the inside of the ear itch? According to doctors, ear itching can be caused by many reasons.
Headphones and hearing aids
Due to prolonged use of these devices, “moisture can accumulate, the ear canal can become irritated, or allergens or bacteria can enter,” explains Geoffrey B. Trenkle (D.O.), a certified otolaryngologist surgeon and founder of the Los Angeles Ear, Nose, Throat, and Allergy Center.
Cotton swabs and excessive cleaning
You might think that cleaning your ear canals daily with cotton swabs ensures exceptional cleanliness, but this habit can do more harm than good because it can “remove protective oils, cause microtraumas, or push dirt deeper into the ear,” says Dr. G. B. Trenkle. In other words, you can easily injure or dry out the skin of the ear, which intensifies itching.
Skin conditions
As with any other part of the body, the skin of the ear canal can become irritated due to conditions such as eczema or allergies. According to Dr. G. B. Trenkle, cotton swabs can also cause sensitivity or worsen existing problems. Dr. H. A. Kim adds that in all these cases, the main cause is skin inflammation – the body’s reaction to irritation or foreign substances. Additionally, “itching can be caused by a lack of the natural earwax layer or conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis,” says Dr. G. B. Trenkle.
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Food or jewelry allergies
According to specialists at the Cleveland Clinic, hay fever or pollen allergies can cause ear itching after consuming certain foods. If hives or itching appear in other areas of the face as well, it is likely that the ear itching is an allergic reaction. According to the Cleveland Clinic, skin allergies to metals such as nickel or copper are also common. If you notice that your ears often start itching after wearing earrings made from a certain metal, you may be allergic to that material.
Infection
According to Dr. G. B. Trenkle, both fungal and bacterial infections can occur when the ear canal remains warm and moist (for example, from frequent swimming or bathing without properly drying the ears), and one of the symptoms can be itching.
Excess earwax
Some people’s bodies produce more earwax than others. According to Dr. G. B. Trenkle, accumulated wax can irritate the ear canal, especially if it compacts into a hard plug. In such cases, professional help may be needed, or you can try flushing the ear using a home earwax removal kit.
Home remedies for ear itching
The main way to prevent and relieve ear itching is to keep the ear canal moist and prevent any dirt from accumulating (except for the earwax itself).
- Regularly clean headphones and hearing aids and limit their use to reduce irritation or moisture buildup, says Dr. G. B. Trenkle.
- Keep your ear canals dry. “Protect your ears from excessive moisture by using earplugs when swimming or gently drying your ears after a shower,” adds Dr. G. B. Trenkle.
- Try a warm compress. Applying a warm compress to the ear (but not inside it) can reduce mild irritation or itching caused by dryness or slight inflammation, says Dr. G. B. Trenkle.
- Avoid scratching. Avoid inserting fingers or objects into the ear, as this helps prevent further irritation or injury, says Dr. G. B. Trenkle.
When to see a doctor for ear itching
If you think the itching is caused by an allergy, a primary care physician can examine the affected area and prescribe treatment, says Dr. G. B. Trenkle. If other symptoms appear, such as ear discharge, pain, hearing changes, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), dizziness, or swelling, you should see a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. You may have an ear infection; as specialists have previously told “Prevention,” treatment may require oral or topical antibiotics.
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