Itchy ears can be caused by various ailments, making it difficult to identify a single treatment. It may be due to an ear infection, excessive earwax removal, abnormality causing pressure, or allergies. A doctor can diagnose and recommend a viable course of treatment.
Itchy ears can be a minor irritant or an extremely painful condition. Because itching can be a symptom of so many different ailments, it’s impossible to identify a single treatment modality that works in all cases. Fortunately, a doctor can use various tests to determine what’s causing the ear to itch and move on to recommend a viable course of treatment.
It is important to remember that an itchy ear is often the cause of some form of otitis media or ear infection. There may be other symptoms present along with the itching, such as constant pain in the ear or the sudden development of some sort of infection-related ear drainage. When this is the case, the use of antibiotics or other medications can help clear up the infection. As a result, the itching ceases altogether.
However, it is also possible that the origin of the itchy ear has to do with trying to treat an earache without medical supervision. Many people assume that a buildup of earwax is always the culprit when it comes to itchy ears. In fact, the opposite may be true. Earwax serves to protect the ear chambers from drying out and to provide a home for bacteria. If too much wax is removed by constant probing with fingers, creams or other means, the ears are left without natural protection. When this is the case, treating the infection along with ceasing earwax removal will allow the ears to heal and regain their natural ability to fight bacteria.
When the balance of wax in the ear is normal and there are no signs of infection, itchy ear can be a symptom of another health problem. Doctors can use tests such as an MRI scan to determine if there is anything abnormality causing pressure on the ear, resulting in itching. Ear, nose, and throat specialists may also explore the possibility that the itching is caused by some sort of infection in the nasal passages or upper respiratory system.
Allergies can also be the underlying cause of an itchy ear. Wheat and dairy products are two examples of common foods that can be the source of ear problem. Doctors can test for various allergies and determine if this is the case. If the root cause of the itching is an allergy, making a few lifestyle changes to avoid allergens will often allow the condition to subside in a short period of time.
Fortunately, the specific reason for an itchy ear can usually be diagnosed quickly. Once diagnosed, the correct course of treatment will begin relieving the discomfort in just a couple of days.
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