“Why are my ears so itchy?”
I'm 37 years old and I have a horrible itch in my ears. It's been coming and going for about 6 months, but in the last week it's been overwhelming. Why is this happening?
5 Answers
Ear-NoseandThroatDoctor(ENT)Ears
In general, ear canals itch because of lack of lubrication. Patients who complain of itching almost never have any wax in their ears on examination. Some are skillful with Q-tips (not recommended) and remove it all. Others are not so skillful and not only remove the wax but traumatize the thin, delicate skin of the ear canal. As the skin heals, it itches, so they reach for the Q-tips again and scratch, incurring more injury. Eventually, the compromise to the barrier function of the skin may become severe enough that painful infection results. (Otitis externa).
In general ears that do best are ears that are left alone. But if you never use Q-tips, it may be that your ears just don't make any wax but just have dry, itchy canal skin. A couple of drops of mineral oil or baby oil can give relief. In general, ears that do best are ears that are left alone. The main benefit of Q-tips is to keep ear doctors in business!
In general ears that do best are ears that are left alone. But if you never use Q-tips, it may be that your ears just don't make any wax but just have dry, itchy canal skin. A couple of drops of mineral oil or baby oil can give relief. In general, ears that do best are ears that are left alone. The main benefit of Q-tips is to keep ear doctors in business!
Itchy ears can be a very frustrating symptom. Most commonly this is due to dry skin in the ear canals. There are different prescription ear drops that can be used to treat this. You will need to see an ENT to make sure it is not an infection and to get a prescription for the ear drops for itching/dry skin.
Hello,
It could be due to allergies, wax, or dry skin. Recommend to see an ENT Specialist.
D. Desai
It could be due to allergies, wax, or dry skin. Recommend to see an ENT Specialist.
D. Desai
Desiccation and scaly ear. Canals symptoms are secondary to possible buildup of dry cerumen in the external ear which can be ameliorated with the use of topical emollient therapy such as baby oil or other skin creams. Chronic exposure to water and retention of water and external ear will give rise to a dryness of the skin and predisposed to this symptom of pruritus.
Allergy, soap sensitivity, dermatitis, or neuritis. Change shampoo s to Ph Balanced, i.e. acidic, Most salon shampoos. Irrigate ears in shower to get shampoo out. Use non-alkaline soaps. No q-tips in ears. Do not use hair sprays, perfumes nr. ears. Keep ear hands off your ears. If these ideas do not work, See dermatologist or ENT.
