What are the remedies for itchy ears?

Methods to relieve itchy ears include cleaning the external ear canal, avoiding irritants, using medication for symptomatic treatment, adjusting environmental humidity, and correcting bad habits. Treatment should be targeted according to the underlying cause, and blind interventions that may worsen discomfort should be avoided. If ear itching persists for more than one week or is accompanied by pain, discharge, or hearing loss, prompt medical attention is recommended.

1. Clean the external ear canal: Gently wipe the outer part of the ear canal with a clean cotton swab to remove earwax debris or dust. Avoid inserting the swab deeply into the ear canal to prevent damage to the eardrum. This method is suitable for mild itching caused by earwax buildup.

2. Avoid irritants: Stay away from allergens such as pollen and dust mites. Avoid using strongly irritating earplugs or headphones, and refrain from frequently probing the ear or scratching with sharp objects to reduce irritation of the ear canal mucosa.

3. Medication for symptomatic treatment: For itching caused by allergies, antiallergic ear drops may be used. Bacterial infections require anti-inflammatory ear drops as prescribed by a doctor. Fungal infections of the external ear canal must be treated with antifungal medications—self-medication is not advised.

4. Adjust environmental humidity: Dry environments can lead to dry, itchy skin in the ear canal. Use a humidifier to increase ambient moisture, or apply a small amount of medical-grade petroleum jelly to the outer ear area to maintain skin hydration.

5. Correct bad habits: Avoid frequent ear cleaning or digging, which can damage the skin and lead to infection. When experiencing itching, gently pressing on the tragus may help alleviate symptoms—do not scratch blindly.

In daily life, keep the external ear canal dry. After bathing or swimming, use a cotton swab to carefully absorb any remaining moisture. Maintain a light diet and reduce intake of spicy or irritating foods. Avoid prolonged exposure to noisy or excessively dry environments. Follow a regular sleep schedule to enhance skin resistance and reduce episodes of itchy ears.