The ear is one of the organs in our lives that is often overlooked, but it actually plays an important role. Some people like to pluck their ears, thinking that the earwax is not clean, and they feel uncomfortable if they don't pluck it for a day.
However, if you often itch in your ears and can't get anything out, it may be a sign of the following conditions.
The role of earwax
Cerumen is a waste of waxy metabolism secreted by the sebaceous and cerumen glands of the external auditory canal. Although nicknamed "earwax", cerumen actually plays an important role in maintaining the health of the ear canal.
Its composition is quite complex, including keratin, alcohols and fatty acids, dust and dander, among others, keratin helps maintain the structural integrity of the external ear canal, alcohols and fatty acids keep the ear canal lubricated, while dust and dander are adsorbed by cerumen to prevent them from penetrating further into the ear canal.
Cerumen is divided into two types: dry and wet. Dry earwax is flaky like a film attached to the external ear canal, which has a lubricating and moisturizing effect and can protect the skin from damage;
Wet earwax, on the other hand, adheres to the external ear canal like grease and has a good blocking effect on the entry of bacteria and dust.
Cerumen is not only a "wax", it plays a key role in maintaining the health of the ear canal, such as protecting the skin of the external ear canal, inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi, and lubricating and moisturizing.
Therefore, when the ears are often itchy, but nothing can be removed, it may be because of the effect of cerurumen.
Dry earwax may have served to protect the skin and lubrication of the external ear canal, while wet earwax protects the health of the ear canal by blocking the entry of bacteria and dust.
Therefore, when we feel itchy ears, do not rush to pick our ears with items such as cotton swabs, which may cause earwax to be pushed deeper into the ear canal or even cause ear injury.
Instead, try using gentle methods such as softening the earwax with warm water and gently wiping the ear canal with a cotton ball to keep your ears clean and healthy.
If the ear itching persists for a long time, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly to rule out the possibility of other ear diseases.
Do not over-clean your ears
Although earwax plays an important role in maintaining the health of the ear canal, over-cleaning of the ears may pose some potential risks that we need to be aware of.
Frequent ear cleaning may lead to more and more earwax. This is because frequent cleaning stimulates the skin of the external auditory canal and speeds up the skin's metabolism, leading to an increase in earwax secretion, creating a vicious circle.
Therefore, over-cleaning of the ears may actually lead to the exacerbation of earwax problems, increasing the likelihood of ear discomfort.
Excessive cleaning can damage the ear canal, which can lead to a range of problems. The ear canal is a very fragile duct, and frequent cleaning may cause damage to the skin of the ear canal, which provides an opportunity for bacteria to invade and easily cause bacterial infections.
In severe cases, it may even induce serious diseases such as cancer of the external auditory canal, posing a serious threat to health.
Excessive cleaning can also trigger eczema in the inner ear canal. The skin of the ear canal is relatively fragile, and frequent cleaning can lead to skin damage, which can trigger skin problems such as eczema, causing discomfort and pain to the ears.
While ear cleaning is considered a comfortable practice in some cases, frequent ear cleaning is not recommended.
The ear canal itself is self-cleaning and does not require additional cleaning intervention. If ear cleaning is necessary, it is recommended to go to a regular hospital or medical institution to be performed by a professional to reduce the risk of injury.
Causes of itchy ears
Itchy ears are a common discomfort that can stem from a variety of conditions, so let's take a look.
1. Otitis
Otitis is a common cause of itchy ears, usually caused by accidentally damaging the skin of the ear canal while cleaning the ear, or because water enters the ear canal. In this case, the ears may feel itchy, hot, and even slightly painful.
Otitis can be a common problem that many people experience in their daily lives, especially if the ears are not cleaned properly or moisture enters the ear canal.
The external auditory canal is the tube that connects the outer and middle ears and is made up of skin and cartilage and is a sinuous passage.
The skin of the external auditory canal has some protective functions, but if the external auditory canal is damaged or infected, it is prone to inflammation and symptoms.
Treatment for otitis usually involves the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate the infection and relieve inflammation.
2. Otitis media
Otitis media is a common ear infection, and it can be one of the main culprits of itchy ears.
Otitis media is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection, which leads to inflammation of the middle ear tissue and the appearance of symptoms. These symptoms may include discomfort such as hearing loss, tinnitus, itching and tingling in the ears.
The middle ear is a cavity behind the eardrum that contains structures that connect the tympanic chamber to the eustachian tube and is an important part of sound conduction.
When an infection occurs in the middle ear, inflammation causes an increase in secretions in the middle ear, blocking the auditory channels and affecting hearing function.
At the same time, inflammation may also irritate the nerve endings of the middle ear, causing tinnitus and tingling sensations, causing discomfort and distress to patients.
In addition to the itchy sensation in the ears, people with otitis media may also experience other symptoms such as fever, redness and swelling of the ears, tenderness in the auricle, etc.
These symptoms are often typical of otitis media and suggest that the patient may have this infectious ear disease. In case of fever and ear redness and swelling, patients should seek medical attention in a timely manner and receive professional treatment and management.
Treatment of otitis media usually involves the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate the infection and relieve inflammation. In addition, your doctor may recommend fever-reducing medications to control your fever.
In severe cases, ear cleaning or topical treatments may be needed to speed up the recovery process.
3. Pharyngitis
Laryngitis is a common infection of the upper respiratory tract that can cause itching in the ears in addition to symptoms in the throat area.
This itching sensation is usually due to an increase in secretions in the Eustachian tube, causing a blockage in the ear canal, causing discomfort in the ear.
The Eustachian tube is the tube that connects the throat to the middle ear, and its main function is to balance the pressure between the middle ear and the outside world while draining secretions from the middle ear.
When inflammation occurs in the throat area, the tissues around the Eustachian tube may swell and cause increased secretions, affecting the patency of the Eustachian tube.
As a result, the ear is connected to the Eustachian tube, and the ear canal is also affected, causing a feeling of blockage and itching.
In addition to the itching sensation, people with laryngitis may also experience a feeling of blocked ears. This feeling of blockage may cause the person to feel like there is a foreign object or pressure in the ear, affecting hearing and comfort.
In severe cases, patients may also experience symptoms of tinnitus, feeling a constant buzzing or ringing in the ear, causing discomfort and distress to the patient.
For ear symptoms caused by laryngitis, patients should seek medical attention in time and seek professional treatment and management.
Your doctor may recommend topical anti-inflammatory medications or allergy medications to relieve inflammation and increased discharge in the throat area, which can reduce itching and blockage in your ears.
In addition, patients should also take care to keep the throat area clean and moist and avoid irritating foods and drinks to promote the healing and recovery of inflammation.
While treating laryngitis, patients should also pay attention to adequate rest, maintain adequate water intake, and improve their own immunity to speed up the recovery process.
It is also important to avoid exposure to factors that can cause laryngitis flare-ups, such as soot, chemicals and allergens, to prevent recurrence of laryngitis.
4. Ear canal eczema
Eczema of the external auditory canal is a common condition that can cause itchy ears. Eczema is usually caused by allergies and other reasons, which can cause symptoms such as redness, swelling, itchiness and other symptoms on the skin of the ear canal, causing discomfort and distress to patients.
Abnormal itching of the ears is a common symptom for people with eczema of the external auditory canal. This itching can be due to skin inflammation and irritation caused by eczema.
Skin redness and itching caused by eczema can not only affect the patient's quality of life, but can also lead to the appearance of painful sensations, making the patient feel uncomfortable and anxious.
The causes of eczema in the external auditory canal can be related to a variety of factors, including allergic reactions, dry skin, bacterial infections, etc.
Allergies are a common cause of eczema, and people may be allergic to certain foods, medications, or environmental factors that trigger eczema flare-ups.
In addition, dry skin in the external auditory canal is also one of the triggers for eczema, and dry skin is easily irritated and damaged, leading to the occurrence of eczema. In addition, bacterial infections may also worsen the symptoms of eczema, making itching and redness worse.
Relief for itchy ears
If your ears are often itchy and uncomfortable, the following methods may help relieve the discomfort.
Avoid using sharp objects to clean your ears. Using cotton swabs, needles, or other sharp objects to clean your ears can damage the skin of your ear canal, leading to more serious problems.
In fact, the ear canal has the ability to clean itself and usually does not require additional cleaning. If you do need to clean, you can use a damp cotton ball to gently wipe the ear canal, but don't insert it too deep into the ear.
It is also important to keep the ear canal dry. A humid environment can easily breed bacteria and fungi, which can lead to ear infections. Therefore, using a dry towel to gently wipe the external ear canal and avoid water entering the ear can help prevent the occurrence of ear infections and itching.
It is also important to avoid over-cleaning your ears. Frequent ear cleaning can interfere with the ear canal to regulate the secretion of earwax on its own, which may lead to too much or too little earwax, which will affect the health of the ear canal.
Allowing the ear canal to naturally regulate the production of earwax is an important step in keeping the ear canal healthy.
Finally, it is also very important to have your ears checked regularly. Regular ear check-ups at the hospital can detect and deal with some potential ear canal problems in time to ensure the health of the ear canal.
If you have discomfort in your ears or if your symptoms persist, seek medical advice and treatment from a medical professional.