A continual itch in one of the ears gives a thought of what home remedy can I use for itchy ears.
An itch in the ears is vexatious, irritating, and can even ruin a good day of yours, maddening you further and making you want to get rid of your ears. Getting itchy ears in public can be irking, as it would be too bothersome to keep digging and scratching your ears in front of others. Scratching your ears does not bring any difference; instead, it intensifies the itching.
The human ear canal, which is also a passage to the eardrum, is very sensitive. A minor cold, infection, allergy, or change in weather conditions causes itching, especially in the outer ear canal which is made up of sensitive skin inside out leading to itchy ears.
Itchy ears are often the symptoms of an ear infection. Germs and bacteria usually infect the inner and the outer ear, when a person is suffering from a common cold or flu, generating the itch in the ear. The struggles of having itchy ears might sound exaggerated but the ones suffering from it know the truth.
Before we start on the topic of remedies, learn a few reasons why your ears might be so itchy.
There can be diverse reasons for the causes of itching in the ears. Here’s a list of the main reasons:
1.1. Excess Ear Wax
The ear canal produces ear wax to protect the ear from dust and organisms from harming. but when it produces more ear wax than usual, the wax gets thick and dried up, entering way too inside the ear canal, leading to blockage of the ear. Improper way of cleaning can lead to the ear wax getting deep inside the canal, causing pain in the ears.
1.2. Climatic Conditions
Living in warmer climatic conditions can dry up your skin, thickens the ear wax, and makes you prone to infections, which may cause itching in the ear.
1.3. Fungal Ear Infection
Fungal infections in other body parts, like feet and knees, can also occur in the outer ear region. Although fungal infections are usually associated with a lack of hygiene, living in a hot and humid climate can be a potential cause. People in tropical countries and hot desert areas are more prone to fungal ear infections.
1.4. Dry Skin
Dry skin in the ears is due to dry and humid surroundings, lack of wax production in ears, and no moisturizing or lubricating effects on the skin causing it to flake. Dry skin is a common symptom of ear eczema.
1.5. Allergic Reactions
The skin inside your ears may itch if you come across any of the items you are allergic to. For example, personal care products such as hair conditioners, shampoos, and soaps. The material out of which your earrings and earphones are manufactured can also cause severe allergies. Not just items, having dust allergy or being allergic to any kind of animal can cause itching in the ears.
1.6. Excessive Use of Earphones and Ear Monitors
Constantly blocking the ear canal for a long period, by excessive usage of earphones and ear plugs buildup ear wax in the ear can cause discomfort and itching in the ears.
1.7. Cotton Swabs
Using a cotton swab to clean excess ear wax can go wrong at times, as the ear wax gets deep into the ear canal and clogs the ear. Forcing the cotton swab deep inside the inner ear can cause a lot of damage to the ear tissue and eardrum, resulting in trauma to the ear.
1.8. Swimming
Water remaining inside the ear after swimming, supports a bacteria breeding environment, causing Swimmer’s ear, an infection of the outer canal. Swimmer’s ear (also known as otitis externa) causes redness of the ear canal, irritation in the ear canal, and discharge of fluids.
1.9. Inserting Sharp Objects
When the itching in the ears gets too much, to the point that drives you crazy, you might want to scratch the itch with push pins, pencils, paper clips, or with your fingernails. This can be very dangerous as the skin inside the ears, the ear canal, and the eardrum are very sensitive and a small scratch can lead to damage to the ears, causing loss of hearing.
It is not practical and very much costly to visit an ENT doctor, every time you have itchy ears. To avoid the inconvenience and expensive rate of visiting a doctor, considering home remedies would be the best option as they will be much more efficient.
Tilting your head to the side and then adding a few drops of Aloe Vera gel into one of your ears is an appropriate way of getting rid of itching. Aloe Vera is known to be a natural moisturizer for dry skin, which helps in restoring the natural pH of the inner ear, hence stopping the irritation.
2.2. Olive Oil/Baby Oil
Dry skin is the root cause of itchy ears. Pouring a few drops of olive oil( or baby oil) into the ears before going to bed can cure dryness and itchy ears. People allergic to olive oil should not try this remedy.
2.3. Ginger Juice
Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatorysupplement that is effective against irritated ears. Ginger juice should not be poured inside the ear canal, instead, it should be applied to the outer ear.
Coconut oil has great healing properties against ear infections. Putting 3-4 drops of coconut oil in your itchy ears can stop the irritation and discomfort.
2.5. Garlic
Ear drops containing garlic and garlic oil are some of the best effective remedies for earache and itchy ears. Garlic is a great herbal product to get rid of cough, cold, and infections and also boosts immunity. Garlic oil can be made at home and is also available in medical stores.
Garlic oil is effective against ear infections, swimmers’ ears, and tinnitus. Make sure not to pour the garlic oil into your eardrum as it can hurt you. People allergic to garlic should not try this remedy.
2.6. Rubbing Alcohol
Pouring a few drops of ethanol-based rubbing alcohol into your ears after tilting your head to the side can kill the bacteria present in your ears, which is bothering you and infecting your ears. Do not excessively use rubbing alcohol, as it can also kill the natural good bacteria residing in your ears.
2.7. Mid Steroid Ear Drops
Steroid ear drops such as Otic corticosteroid, Prednisolone, and Dexamethasone can solve your ear problems such as itching, swelling, and redness, clean the dirt inside your ear canal, and helps you to get rid of ear infections.
2.8. Vinegar
Mixing vinegar with warm water and then applying it to the ears is recommended by ear specialists, especially when your ears are itching due to too much ear wax and fluid discharge. Apple cider vinegar and white vinegar are the two types of vinegar one can use, as it has half-strength and acidic.
Mixing rubbing alcohol with apple cider vinegar is the best way to clean your ears.
2.9. OTC Ear Drops
Over-the-counter ear drops like Debrox, Murine, and Soliwax can be used in case of extremely painful and itching ears. OTC ear drops are generally used to stop fluid discharge from ears and can be brought without a doctor’s prescription.
2.10. Saline Solution
Mix a spoonful of salt in one glass of warm water until the saline solution is ready. Tilt your head to one side and apply the saline solution to your ears, and stay like that for a few minutes and then drain it out. The saline solution will soften and melt the dried-up ear wax in your ears, as it will get removed quickly.
2.11. Tea Tree Oil
Warm tea tree oil slightly and apply a few drops to one of your ears; let the oil outside and apply it to the other ear. Tea tree oil has medicinal properties that can cure ear infections, ease ear pain and stop further irritation of the skin inside the ear.
2.12. Hydrogen Peroxide
Keep your head upright and apply 3 to 5 drops of hydrogen peroxide to your ears. Hydrogen peroxide can make your ear clean and free of irritation as this substance softens and drains out the ear wax and dirt from the ear. Make sure not to use an excessive amount of hydrogen peroxide, as high concentrations can burn your ears.
As they say, prevention is better than cure, here are some things you need to follow so that it can save you from the trouble of itchy ears next time:
3.1. Wearing Ear Plugs While Swimming
Though wearing earplugs for a longer period is not recommended, it’s absolutely safe to wear earplugs while swimming as it prevents the water from entering the ear, and protects yourself from the swimmer’s ear.
3.2. Sharp objects into your Ears
No matter how irritating the itch in the ear can get and no matter the excess ear wax, do not insert sharp pins, clips, and your fingers with highly pointed nails as it can damage your ear canal and pushes the ear wax deep inside the ear.
3.3. Wearing Air pods, Ear Monitors, or Ear Phones for Longer Duration
Blockage of the ear canal for long durations can cause the production of excessive ear wax and it gets deep into the ears.
3.4. Dry your Ears after taking a Bath
Drying the inside of your ears after taking a bath or whenever it’s wet (due to water) is essential. Using a dry cloth to dry your ears is much safer than using cotton buds.
Itchy ears are often the symptoms of tinnitus and swimmers’ ears. Taking appropriate measures to protect your ears by cleaning them every day will prevent itchy ears.
It is important to note that not all home remedies work and not in every instance. Usually, itching in the ears go away on its own and is not something to worry about.
If you feel that these are the symptoms of something complicated and keep bothering you a lot, then do visit an ENT doctor as they can provide you with live guidance and effective medications.
