Itchy Ears

A lot of people mention “my ears itch deep inside at night” which is quite specific, but there’s a good reason and it can affect anyone. Here we’ll explain why it happens and how to treat it.

Firstly, let’s talk about why it could happen.

Causes of Itchy Ears

Earwax buildup

Earwax is great for protecting against bacteria, and often slowly moves outwards to essentially clean itself. However, excess wax can irritate the ear canal if it builds up and especially if it hardens. This will put pressure on the delicate skin of the ear canal and agitate the nerves, creating an itchy feeling.

Also, if you’re experiencing hearing issues or a sense of fullness, this is a good indicator that there may be too much wax.

Dry skin in the ear

Earwax acts as a natural lubrication to keep the ear canal from drying out. If there isn’t enough then the ear canal skin becomes too dry and flakes can cause an itch.

Wax also protects against bacteria to reduce infections. So, avoid over-cleaning your ears and allow wax to moisturise the skin. However, earwax can ruin hearing aids, so there’s a fine balance between dry skin and too much wax for hearing aids.

Over-cleaning isn’t the only reason though: Aging can naturally reduce the amount of earwax being produced, and genetics can mean that some people will produce less oils needed for earwax production.

Skin conditions

Eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis can contribute to an increase of dry skin in the ear canal, leading to an itchy sensation more frequently.

Look out for redness, a rash or scaling for a sign that a skin condition may be present.

Allergic reactions

Allergic reactions can be triggered by products such as shampoo and even earrings, irritating the area. Hay fever or food allergies may also cause a reaction.

Infections

Regular swimmers need to be extra vigilant with their ear health, as bacterial or fungal infections can be common, referred to as swimmer’s ear.

Water can be trapped in the ear after swimming, leading to bacteria also being trapped without ear wax being able to escort it from the ear canal.

Hearing aids or ear devices

Hearing aids are fantastic things which transform a person’s life, but they do have their downsides. They create a loose seal in the ear which can trap moisture and cause irritation.

Make sure they fit properly and don’t slip out of the ear, as movement will also cause an irritation.

Symptoms of Itchy Ears

Itchy ears can be just ear wax or dry skin, but in some cases there could be further symptoms to look out for. These are as follows:

• Ear pain or discomfort
• Redness or swelling
• Discharge (fluid or pus)
• Hearing loss or muffled sound
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Why Ears Itch Deep Inside at Night

You may find that during the day is fine but your ears itch deep inside at night when lying down. This is because of increased blood flow around the ears when in lying in bed, causing the itch to seem worse.

Treatments for Itchy Ears

While self-medicating is possible, avoid inserting objects into the ear as this can damage the delicate skin of the ear canal and the thin membrane of the ear drum.

Ear drops & oils

These help to soften wax making it easier to wipe away, or moisturise dry skin within the ear canal. Both will help to relieve irritation.

Professional cleaning

DIY methods have been known to cause damage when inserting objects such as ear buds — Pushing too far can harm the ear drum, and too often can make the ear canal sore. It’s also common to push ear wax further into the ear, making the situation worse.

Seeing a healthcare provider such as an audiologist is the safest treatment for itchy ears. They will look inside using a small microscope called an otoscope, before treating the issue. For example, microsuction will be used for ear wax removal.

Medicated treatments

If an itchy ear is also very painful, then the cause is likely to be an infection for which you will need antibiotics or antifungal cream from a doctor. Swimmer’s ear will also need to be seen by a doctor for a prescription.

Steroid creams may be possible over the counter in a pharmacy to reduce inflammation.

Avoiding Itchy Ears

While most will experience an ear infection at some point in their life, it will be more common for swimmers. Here are a few ways to avoid the frustration of an itchy ear in the future.

Avoid cotton buds: Inserting objects like cotton buds into the ear may seem like you’re hitting the spot where it itches, but it’s also pushing wax further towards the ear drum. This could compact and become very painful.

Keep ears dry: This will avoid water near the ear drum increasing risk of infection.

Oil for dry skin: For those suffering with dry skin inside the ear, various oils, sprays and creams are available in pharmacies.

Ear plugs for swimmers: Regular swimmers should wear ear plugs to avoid water becoming trapped in their ear canal, causing an infection.

When to See a Doctor

Most itching will be temporary, but if it continues alongside one of the following symptoms, then you should see a doctor.

• Pain or swelling.
• Any kind of fluid escaping, other than water.
• Hearing loss.

Both a doctor and audiologist can inspect your ears. We offer an Ear Checkup service which can help with itchy ears which you can book online.

Conclusion

So, when your ears itch deep inside at night, try ear drops to remove wax (providing you don’t have an infection), keep them dry when swimming, and use oils or sprays from a pharmacy for dry skin.

If the itching is accompanied by pain, hearing loss or fluid (other than water) then make an appointment with a doctor.

Similar Articles