My ear itches. What can I do?

[paintedfire]

My right ear itches. It doesn't hurt. I used a cotton swab and got some ear wax from the very, very inside rim - I refuse to go digging in my head with those things and I know that the human body produces ear wax for a reason so I respect it and let it be, for the most part.

But . . . it still itches. Even worse now, I think. There's no pain whatsoever. Just the overwhelming urge to scratch, which - I know - would be a bad thing to do.

Is there anything I can do to help lessen the itching? Oh! Also - what the heck might be causing this? (Boy, my priorities are screwed.)

[mom0810]

I have this, too. My dh had it from his hearing aid and then I got it... weird?

It itches like crazy and it's always wet. And flaking skin comes out. It's so weird. DH used a steriod cream from the doctor and it cleared it right up. I don't want to use the cream (stubborn?) so I am just trying to stick it out.

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by mom0810

I have this, too. My dh had it from his hearing aid and then I got it... weird?

It itches like crazy and it's always wet. And flaking skin comes out. It's so weird. DH used a steriod cream from the doctor and it cleared it right up. I don't want to use the cream (stubborn?) so I am just trying to stick it out.

It's not wet. And there are no skin flakes. Just the itch. The horrible, horrible itch.

Also, I say to just use the cream. Your DH doesn't even have to know. I promise I won't tell.

[paintedfire]

It still itches.

Really? No one has any advice on this one?

[goldfinches]

well.....

I did a cleanse last year and researched parasites quite a bit. I believe there's a parasite you can have that makes your ear itch. Maybe you should try a cleanse, also? (don't mean to freak you out.)

You could also have an infection.

I believe most pharmacies sell a numbing oil that you can use, I have tried it before on my girls for ear infections.

[SleeplessMommy]

I am wondering about the panther. Pictures?

Your dr can do an ear vacuuming or ear wax removal. Who knows what could be in there?

[ikesmom]

It could just be dryness. Dh scratched his ear and had problems from using too many q-tips. Dr. suggested dipping a q-tip in oil and gently putting a few drops in ear.

[Pepper44]

This has happened to me three times! First two times it was a piece of dog fur stuck in there! Both times I couldn't stand it a second longer so I stuck a q-tip way in. Lo and behold, a piece of black lab fur came out. Aaah! Instant relief.

The last time it happened there was a scab inside. Q-tip had a bit of scab and blood on it. I think maybe it was a pimple in there or something? It itched SO BAD.

[luv-my-boys]

seems silly but can you have someone look into your ear to see if they can see anything?

It could be a number of things like ear wax, ear infection or something foreign in your ear (DH once had a piece of string in his-how that got in there who knows)

I might try using a little hydrogen peroxide and let it bubble up and then tilt your head to see if anything comes out like wax chunks. sometimes if our wax gets a little dried out and becomes hard it irritates my ear canal so getting it out feels better.

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by luv-my-boys

seems silly but can you have someone look into your ear to see if they can see anything?

It could be a number of things like ear wax, ear infection or something foreign in your ear (DH once had a piece of string in his-how that got in there who knows)

I might try using a little hydrogen peroxide and let it bubble up and then tilt your head to see if anything comes out like wax chunks. sometimes if our wax gets a little dried out and becomes hard it irritates my ear canal so getting it out feels better.

DF looked. Nothing there. I did the hydrogen peroxide thing even though I hate it. Nothing came out. Sometimes this will help with the itching for a while, but this time I just had the itching along with the cracking of the bubbles. Gives me the willies just thinking about it again.

Originally Posted by ikesmom

It could just be dryness. Dh scratched his ear and had problems from using too many q-tips. Dr. suggested dipping a q-tip in oil and gently putting a few drops in ear.

I did this, too. Helped temporarily, but the itching came back. Quickly.

Still no pain though, which is what makes me think it's not an ear infection. My ears have been bad since I was born - had three sets of ear tubes before I turned four. Chronic infections my whole life. I know what an ear infection feels like. This feels like someone poured itching powder down my ear canal.

Originally Posted by SleeplessMommy

I am wondering about the panther. Pictures?

He's not really a panther, he just thinks that he is. He's just an over-grown and over-entitled house cat.

Actually, that's not true. He had some weird health issues a few years back and his then-vet got really into all of the details - we found out that he's apparently half-Bobcat. The panther title is a joke from my family from way, way before we found that out, though. I just thought he needed a profession right along with me, DF, and the baby and I couldn't put what he really does down without risking a UV.

This is second time I've gotten this in the last two days and I changed my signature almost week ago.

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by SleeplessMommy

I am wondering about the panther. Pictures?

I was going to say . Cool that he's part Bobcat.

Also, I hate to ask but have you considered food allergies/intolerance? I get itchy ears as a result of my dairy intolerance, fwiw.

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by JacquelineR

I was going to say . Cool that he's part Bobcat.

Also, I hate to ask but have you considered food allergies/intolerance? I get itchy ears as a result of my dairy intolerance, fwiw.

Yeah, he's pretty great.

No reason to hate to have to ask. I do have allergies, but I've known about and been in treatment for all of them since I was ten.

I'm beginning to think it may just be all my crazy acting up or some weird "just for me" pregnancy side-effect. Murphy's got nothin' on me.

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by paintedfire

Yeah, he's pretty great.

No reason to hate to have to ask. I do have allergies, but I've known about and been in treatment for all of them since I was ten.

I'm beginning to think it may just be all my crazy acting up or some weird "just for me" pregnancy side-effect. Murphy's got nothin' on me.

Tell me about it.
Is it possible that you have been accidentally exposed to something? Or perhaps it's an environmental allergy?

[Chamomile Girl]

Herb Pharm makes a really great ear oil with mullen and garlic. You can also make your own by infusing olive oil with raw garlic. This will both lubricate your ear and help if there is an infection, foreign body or flakey skin. You will smell like garlic, though its worth it!

Drip a few drops in the ear and then pop in some cotton so it doesn't drain right away.

Of course if its pregnancy related you might just have to deal.

[ASusan]

Could it be yeasty?

I agree with the garlic - that would help either a yeast or bacterial infection.
Try coconut oil, as it has antibiotic (and anti-yeast?) properties.
Ear candling may help.

relieved it's not a real panther. That concerned me, considering you have an infant on the way.

Have you tried acupuncture? It cured my lupus.

[californiajenn]

For me and two of my friends, an itchy ear indicates food allergies. It's our first symptom.

Let me know if you want more info.

[rhianna813]

Yeah I have itchy ears. Went to the doctor and she said it's like dandruff in your ears. My ears were also painful at the time (but they've been itchy far before the pain/infection), so she gave me some drops.

She asked if I also had dandruff.... yes. And suggested using a dandruff shampoo and lightly cleanse my ears while doing my hair. Unfortunately (or not) I do want to use dandruff shampoo so I havn't tried that yet.

But I am going to an ENT next week because I have ear related issues.

Rhianna

[KimPM]

Originally Posted by Chamomile Girl

Herb Pharm makes a really great ear oil with mullen and garlic. You can also make your own by infusing olive oil with raw garlic. This will both lubricate your ear and help if there is an infection, foreign body or flakey skin. You will smell like garlic, though its worth it!

Drip a few drops in the ear and then pop in some cotton so it doesn't drain right away.

I was also going to suggest the garlic-mullein ear oil.

[paintedfire]

Thanks for all the suggestions, ladies.

The pain hit last night. The whole right side of my face aches, radiating from my ear. I'll see my GP tomorrow, but I doubt the jury will be out long on this one.