Why Do My Ears Itch?

Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on July 07, 2024
Written by Stephanie Booth
8 min read

Can’t stop scratching your ears? An itchy ear canal (the tube that connects your outer ear to your eardrum) can affect anyone, no matter how old or young you are. What you do to get relief will depend on what’s making you want to scratch.

Even if the itching is severe, it’s important to never stick any objects — even a cotton swab — into your ear. You could damage your inner ear, which contains the tiny bones that help you hear.

Some common reasons for itchy ears include:

Earwax buildup

Wax is the substance your body makes to clean dead skin cells and dirt out of your ears, but too much of it can start to get itchy. An earwax blockage can also cause other symptoms such as:

  • Ear pain
  • A feeling of "fullness" in your ear
  • Trouble hearing as well as you usually do
  • Ringing in your ear (tinnitus)
  • Dizziness
  • Coughing

Don’t be tempted to try to remove the buildup yourself. Wax irrigation kits you buy without a prescription can accidentally tear your eardrum or trap water behind the wax, setting you up for an infection. Ear candling comes with its own risks, such as burning yourself by accident.

If you think excess earwax is causing your itchy ears, see your doctor. They have methods to safely remove it.

Infections

Itchy ears can sometimes be a sign of an ear infection. Bacteria and viruses cause them, usually when you have a cold, the flu, or allergies. Bobby pins, paper clips, matchsticks, and your fingernails can also damage the skin inside your ears, making it easy for germs to enter and cause an infection.

Another common type of infection, swimmer’s ear, can happen when a tiny amount of water stays in your ear after you swim. Too much moisture wears away your ear canal’s natural layer of defense against germs.

Ear pain, having a hard time hearing, and feeling like you have fluid in your ear (you might even see some drain out) can be signs of an ear infection. Babies and kids could also have symptoms such as:

  • Pulling at an ear
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Not feeling hungry
  • Crying more than usual
  • A fever of 100 F or higher
  • Headache

Some infections may go away on their own. In other cases, you'll need your doctor's help to treat it.

Skin allergies

The skin inside your ears can itch because of an allergic reaction. Beauty products such as hair sprays, soaps, or shampoos could be the culprit. So can products that are made from nickel, such as earrings. Plastic, rubber, or metal you put inside your ears, such as earbuds or a hearing aid, can also cause a rash called contact dermatitis.

To get relief, you’ll need to figure out what you’re allergic to and stop using it.

Eczema 

If you have asthma, outside allergies, hay fever, or a history of very dry, itchy skin, you may be naturally prone to itchy ear canals. If so, you could also notice discolored, bumpy skin inside, behind, or on your ears.

In severe cases of eczema, you might notice a white or yellow discharge coming from your skin. And if's deep inside your ear canals, it's common to hear a ringing in your ears or even have hearing loss.

Psoriasis

This immune disorder prevents skin cells from shedding as fast as they should. Instead, they build up and cause a "plaque," a patch of inflamed, very dry skin. Psoriasis can cause itching both inside and on your ears.

Food allergies

If you have hay fever or a pollen allergy, your ears may itch when you eat certain fruits, vegetables, or tree nuts. Known as oral allergy syndrome, you may notice this most during allergy season.

The prickly feeling in your ears should stop as soon as you swallow the food or take it out of your mouth. In most cases, you probably don’t need treatment. Still, speak to your doctor. They may test you to see how severe your allergy is. If you have an extreme food allergy, you may need to carry an epinephrine auto-injector.

Jaw pain (temporomandibular disorder)

Your temporomandibular joints connect your lower jaw to your skull. You need them to work properly so you can do things such as talk, swallow, chew, and yawn. If you have temporomandibular disorder (TMD), then these joints and the surrounding bones or muscles aren't working well. Sometimes, this can be due to excess pressure (like if you clench your jaw a lot or grind your teeth at night). Other times, another health condition, such as fibromyalgia, can play a role.

Whatever the cause, your jaw issues could affect your ears. For instance, in one study, 92 out of 100 people with TMD also reported having itchy ears.

Keloids (scar tissue)

Sometimes, an injury to the skin on your ear can cause what's called a keloid -- a thick, dense patch of scar tissue. You could get it for several reasons, such as after an ear piercing, tattoo, bugbite, burn, bad scratch, or acne. While not harmful, keloids can be really itchy. You could also notice:

  • Tenderness when you touch the area
  • A round bump you can see or feel
  • Discolored skin (for instance, it could be pink, red, purple, or brown and get darker over time)

You're more likely to have a keloid if you're Black, Hispanic, or Asian. A family history of keloids (having a relative who has them) also raises your risk.

In general, all parts of your body itch more during the night, the main reason being your circadian rhythm — your body's internal clock that follows a 24-hour cycle.

As you sleep, more blood flows to your skin. At the same time, your body slows down the release of some substances that help keep inflammation in check. These natural changes can make your ears itch more.

Other factors that can make you want to scratch at night include:

Hormone changes. For instance, you might feel more itchy overall based on where you are on your menstrual cycle, if you're pregnant, or if you're going through menopause.

Medications. Some types of drugs make you itchy as a side effect. Among them are diuretics (water pills) and antibiotics.

Skin products. If you shower before bed, the type of soap or shampoo you use could irritate the skin in your ears.

You may have heard about putting a drop or two of alcohol or white vinegar in your ear. While they can help dry out your ear canal, that might not be why your ears itch. And if your ear is infected, adding either of these drops could sting.

Generally speaking, here's what you can try at home:

Try not to scratch. It's important not to put anything into your ears. Doing so can scratch your eardrum. Even a small tear in your skin can let in germs and cause an infection.

Take warm, short showers. Very hot water will dry out your skin. Also, try to limit your time in the shower to 15 minutes or less.

Use a gentle, unscented soap. Look for "hypoallergenic" on the label, so it won't cause an allergic reaction. Ask your doctor if you need help choosing a product.

Take an antihistamine. These over-the-counter drugs block histamine, a chemical your immune system releases that can cause itching.

Use hydrogen peroxide. This over-the-counter solution can sometimes help break down earwax. It can also kill germs. To try it, you'll tilt your head to one side and use an eye dropper to put a drop or two into your ear. After a minute or two, you'll tilt your head over a sink and let any extra hydrogen peroxide drain out. Use a damp washcloth to gently wipe off your ear afterward.

Use petroleum jelly. If you have ear eczema, this product can add moisture to your skin and help it heal. Dab a tiny amount to the outside of your clean ears.

Ear itch home remedies to avoid

Although people might swear by them online, doctors don't actually advise putting any type of oil in your ear canal, including:

  • Garlic oil
  • Olive oil
  • Tea tree oil
  • Essential oils

There isn't enough data to show that it will help. And some types could burn the sensitive skin inside your ear.

Benzocaine (numbing) ear drops are another over-the-counter product you can skip. They're not likely to offer any significant or lasting relief for your symptoms.

When should you ask your doctor why your ears itch?

See your doctor if:

  • Your ear is painful.
  • You have other symptoms besides itching.
  • You have a fever.
  • You find the itching hard to ignore during the day.
  • Itching keeps you awake at night.

Your doctor can help figure out the cause of your itching. In some cases, they may prescribe a medication that can give you some relief.

Based on the cause, they might suggest a treatment such as:

  • Corticosteroids, which can be given as an ear drop, cream, or in some cases, a pill you swallow
  • Topical immunomodulators, newer drugs that alter your immune system response
  • Aluminum acetate solution, an astringent that can help reduce redness, inflamed areas, and itching
  • Prescription-strength dandruff shampoo, to stop itching and skin flaking
  • Earwax removal, which your doctor can do either with a special tool or through an "irrigation" procedure
  • Surgery, to remove a keloid
  • Physical therapy, relaxation techniques, or lifestyle changes to improve TMD symptoms

Itchy ears are often nothing to worry about. But if they're ongoing or keep you from getting through your daily (or nightly) routine, see your doctor. They can help you find the cause and suggest treatments to stop the itching and prevent it from coming back.

Why is my ear tickling inside?

There could be many different reasons why you feel a tickling sensation inside your ear. Your doctor can try to look inside your ear with a handheld device called an otoscope. If they can't find the cause, they may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor. This type of specialist has more tools they can use to get a better look inside your ear.

Make sure you tell every doctor you see about any other symptoms you're having, even if they don't seem related to your itchy ears.