It’s quite common to have itchy ears once in a while. It can be caused by a number of things and generally isn’t anything to worry about. However itchy your ears are though, avoid putting anything in your ears to try and relieve the itch, as you could make it worse or even damage the ear’s delicate structures.
Itchy ears causes
- Ear infection
- A cold or flu
- Earwax build-up
- Swimmer's ear ( trapped water in the ear)
- Dry ears (can happen if people clean their ears too much or if your ears don't produce enough earwax)
- Hay fever
- Food allergies
- Wearing hearing aids (some people can be sensitive to the plastic coating on some hearing aids)
- Skin conditions (like eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis)
Treatment for itchy ears
Treatment will usually involve treating the condition that’s causing your itchy ears. For example:
Antibiotics or drops for an ear infection
Antibiotics or drops for an ear infection
Antihistamines for hay fever or other allergies
Professional earwax removal to get rid of a build-up or impacted earwax
Prevention of itchy ears
It’s not always possible to prevent itchy ears, but in general, the best thing you can do is to avoid putting anything in your ears. Whether that’s a cotton bud, end of a pen or hair pin.
Skin allergies this could be a reaction to certain hair products, jewellery, or to materials like rubber or plastic found in earphones or hearing aids
Pollen allergy (hay fever) you might get itchy ears as a symptom of hay fever, typically during the spring and summer months
Food allergies some people get itchy ears when they eat certain foods
Food allergies some people get itchy ears when they eat certain foods
If you’re a regular swimmer, you could try wearing earplugs to avoid developing swimmer’s ear, or just make sure that you dry your ears with a towel aer swimming.
Itchy ears and ear infection
Sometimes itchy ears can be a symptom of an ear infection or a sign that one is on the way. This
can happen for a number of reasons, and typically can develop after a cold or flu. There’s also a
type of ear infection, called swimmer’s ear, that’s caused by trapped water in the ear.
Itchy ears caused by ear infection can go away on their own, but it’s best to see your GP in case you’d benefit from
some antibiotics or ear drops to help clear away the infection.
Itchy ears due to allergies
There are a few different types of allergies that can cause itchy ears. These include:
Your doctor will be able to recommend the best thing to treat itchy ears caused be allergies. This might involve a cream to relieve itching or taking antihistamines to stop the reaction.
Itchy ears and earwax
Our ears naturally produce enough earwax to keep your ears clean and healthy. Sometimes they can produce too much or too little earwax which can make your ears feel itchy.
If your ears produce too much earwax, it can build up in the ears and become impacted.
If you have an earwax build-up, it’s important that you don’t try to remove it yourself or put anything in your ear to try and relieve the itch.
Conversely, if your ears don’t produce enough earwax, it can make them feel dry and itchy.
Ear drops for itchy ears
If itchy ears are bothering you, it’s best to go and see your GP. They’ll be able to determine what’s causing it and might recommend some steroid or antibiotic ear drops to use.
FAQs
No matter how itchy your ears get, it’s important that you never try to relieve it by putting anything in your ear. Things like cotton buds, hair pins or the ends of pens can cause damage – so it’s best to steer clear. Getting rid of itchy ears will depend on the underlying cause. So if it’s really bothering you, you should see your GP or pharmacist for some advice.
There are a few over-the-counter products that can be effective for itchy ears. It’s best to seek advice from your GP or pharmacist before you try them.
Yes – a build-up of earwax can cause itchy ears, but also if your ears don’t produce enough earwax then it can make them dry and itchy.
