Do you find yourself constantly scratching your ear? The sensation is relentless, leading you to grab a cotton swab to get rid of it. However, regardless of the cause of your itchy ear, it is not a good idea to stick something in your ear to clean the earwax. In fact, this habit is dangerous and can push the earwax deeper, leading to more problems. Instead, it is important to understand the reasons behind persistent itching. Constant ear itching can also be caused by allergies, skin conditions, or excessive earwax formation.

7 causes of constant itching in the ear

Health Shots consulted with ENT specialist Dr. Abhinit Kumar, who spilled the beans because of constant itchy ears:

1. Cleaning your ears too much

When you clean your ears too often or aggressively, you can inadvertently remove the protective layer of earwax and natural oil. According to Dr. Kumar, “Earwax is waterproof and helps protect your ear because it has antifungal and antibacterial properties that help prevent infection.” Frequent removal of earwax can remove the protective layer, increasing the risk of overproduction of earwax to compensate for lost protection leading to itching.

2. Blockage of earwax

The ear produces earwax to keep the ear clean, maintain lubrication, and protect against infection. But when you use a cotton swab, fingers, twisted cloth, or bobby pin to clean your ear, it actually pushes the earwax further back, causing a blockage. This can cause discomfort, pain, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in your ear, which is uncomfortable.

Also Read: Have a habit of using earbuds? Remove them immediately as you may become deaf

3. Dry ears

Dryness in the ear canal can lead to discomfort and sensation, increasing the need to clean the ears more often. A variety of factors can cause dry ears, such as low humidity levels, excessive exposure to water while swimming or bathing, or certain medical conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome. Seek medical attention if this causes severe discomfort.

4. Skin allergies

Allergic reactions to certain metals (earrings) and hair products such as shampoo and hair spray can cause itching, redness and burning in the ears. “To get rid of itching, if you engage in cleaning your ear using cotton swabs, this can cause further damage, disrupt the skin’s natural barrier function and aggravate allergic reactions,” explained Dr. Kumar.

5. Ear infection

Ear infections, whether bacterial or fungal, can cause irritation, itching and discharge in the ear canal. If you feel pain and discharge coming from your ear, you should contact your doctor immediately, as these signs may damage or damage your hearing. Also, if you wear hearing aids or earbuds, clean them regularly.

6. Skin conditions

Chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis affect the skin’s protective layer, causing itchiness, peeling and inflammation. While you can treat simple itching with ear drops, if symptoms are the result of any skin condition, they require immediate medical attention.

7. Food allergies

Food allergies, such as hay fever or a pollen allergy, can cause itching and redness when you eat foods such as apples, cantaloupe, bananas, cherries, kiwis, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, and almonds. In some cases, people may experience symptoms in the ear canal, which are more common during monsoons.

How to get rid of constant itching in your ear?

To reduce persistent itching in the ear, remember these 5 tips:

• Avoid inserting objects into the ear canal, as this may increase irritation or cause injury.
• Try gently cleaning the outer ear with just a damp cloth.
• Over-the-counter ear drops containing ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide or olive oil may help soften earwax and reduce irritation.
• Avoid scratching the ear, which can lead to further irritation or infection.
• If itching persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as pain or discharge, consult a health care professional for proper evaluation and treatment.

If your symptoms get worse, see your doctor to determine the root cause of the itching!