Although it looks mild, itchy ears should not be taken lightly, especially if it has caused other complaints. now, there are ways to deal with itchy ears that can be done if you experience it. What are these ways? Come on, find out the answer in the following article.
Itchy ears can be caused by a number of things, from earwax buildup to allergies and infections. If the symptoms of itchy ears are still mild, this may not be bothersome.
However, complaints of itchy ears can sometimes be felt severe enough to make people who experience it want to scratch their ears constantly. Not only that, complaints of itchy ears can also appear accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, ear swelling, and discharge from the ear.
Various Causes of Itchy Ears
The following are some of the most common causes of itchy ears:
Earwax buildup
Earwax buildup in medical terms is called cerumen prop. In addition to causing itchy ears, earwax buildup can also cause other complaints, such as full or uncomfortable ears, impaired hearing, ringing in the ears, and pain in the ears.
To treat itchy ears due to earwax buildup, you are not advised to pick your ears using cotton bud or other things. This condition can be treated with the use of ear drops or medical treatment from a doctor.
Ear infection
Itchy ears can sometimes be a symptom of an ear infection. This infection can be caused by bacteria or fungi. Some examples of ear disease due to infection are otitis media and otitis externa.
Ear infections are usually also characterized by other symptoms such as ear pain, smelly discharge from the ear canal, fever, ringing in the ears, and hearing loss.
Dermatitis in the ear canal
Dermatitis or eczema is a condition when the skin becomes inflamed and irritated, making it itchy, sore, and dry. This condition can appear on any part of the skin, including the skin of the ear. Dermatitis can occur due to an allergic reaction to certain products, such as soap or shampoo, to metal jewelry that is worn in the ear.
Allergy
Allergic reactions can also cause itchy ears. However, the trigger factors for allergies in the ear are generally different for each person. There are several factors that are known to often cause ear allergies, namely jewelry, latex or rubber from the ear earbuds, soap or shampoo, to hearing aids.
In addition, sometimes itchy ears can also be caused by other causes, for example, the ear has a foreign object or insect.
Various Ways to Overcome Itchy Ears
If you feel disturbed by complaints of itching in the ears, there are several ways to deal with itchy ears that you can try, including:
1. Avoid the habit of scratching the ear
Scratching ear with finger or cotton bud it can relieve itching in the ear, but this effect is only temporary. If you scratch your ears frequently, you can hurt your ears and this can actually make your ears itch even more.
Not only that, inserting a foreign object into the ear is also at risk of causing the ear to become irritated or even injure your eardrum.
2. Use olive oil or baby oil
If the ear feels itchy and dry, you can give a few drops of olive oil or baby oil to the ear area. This will help you relieve itchy ears without having to scratch them.
In addition to relieving dry skin in the ear, this type of oil can also be used to soften earwax and make it easier to remove.
3. Using drugs
If your itchy ear complaints are severe or do not improve, you may need medication from your doctor. To overcome the annoying itching in the ear, doctors can prescribe drugs such as antibiotics, antifungals, corticosteroids, to antihistamines.
Medicines to treat itchy ears are generally available in the form of ear drops, oral medications, or topical medications. The use of these drugs will be adjusted to the cause of the itchy ears that you are experiencing.
4. Clean ears regularly
To treat itchy ears, you can try cleaning your ears with over-the-counter ear drops, such as ear drops that contain hydrogen peroxide or glycerin. In addition, the act of cleaning the ears by a doctor should also be done regularly.
Itchy ears are generally harmless and can be treated with the steps above. However, you still need to be vigilant if your itchy ear complaint does not improve or appears accompanied by other complaints, such as bleeding ears, difficulty hearing, ringing in the ears, or fever.
If you experience the above symptoms, you are advised to immediately consult a doctor so that appropriate treatment can be carried out.